This belongs to the group of medicines known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

Micardis is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It works by causing blood vessels to relax, which in turn lowers blood pressure.

Micardis is available in tablet form.

It is also sometimes known as: Micardis. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Micardis tablets contain the active ingredient telmisartan, which is a type of drug called an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. It works by preventing the action of a hormone in the body called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II normally acts on special receptors in the body, with two main results. Firstly, it causes the peripheral blood vessels to narrow, and secondly, it stimulates the production of another hormone called aldosterone. Aldosterone causes salt and water to be retained by the kidneys, which increases the volume of fluid in the blood vessels. Telmisartan blocks the receptors that angiotensin II acts on, and so prevents its actions. The main result of this is that the peripheral blood vessels are allowed to widen, which means that there is more space and less resistance in these blood vessels. This is the main mechanism by which the pressure in the blood vessels is lowered. Blocking the actions of angiotensin II also reduces the action of aldosterone on the kidneys. The result of this is an increase in the amount of fluid removed from the blood by the kidneys. This decreases the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, which also lessens the resistance and pressure in the blood vessels. The combined overall effect of these changes is to lower the blood pressure.

Treatments

* High blood pressure with no known cause

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Abdominal pain * Diarrhoea * Drowsiness * Indigestion * Cold or flu-like symptoms * Back pain * Dizziness * Inflammation of the throat * Pain in the muscles * Upper airway infections