Consumer medicine information

Telmisartan HCT GH

Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Telmisartan HCT GH

Active ingredient

Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Telmisartan HCT GH.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Telmisartan HCT GH.

It does not contain all available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking this medicine against the benefits it is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This leaflet was last updated on the date at the end of this leaflet. More recent information may be available.

The latest Consumer Medicine Information is available from your pharmacist, doctor, and may contain important information about the medicine and its use of which you should be aware.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Telmisartan HCT GH is used for

Telmisartan HCT GH is used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension).

Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps your blood move around your body. Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how busy or worried you are.

You have hypertension (high blood pressure) when your blood pressure stays higher than is needed, even when you are calm or relaxed. There are usually no signs of hypertension. The only way of knowing that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

If high blood pressure is not treated, it can lead to serious health problems, including stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.

How Telmisartan HCT GH works

Telmisartan HCT GH contains telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide in one single tablet. These two active ingredients help to reduce blood pressure in different ways:

  • Telmisartan belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Angiotensin II is a substance in the body which causes blood vessels to narrow, thus increasing blood pressure. Telmisartan works by blocking the effect of angiotensin II. When the effect of angiotensin II is blocked, your blood vessels relax and your blood pressure goes down.
  • Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to the group of medicines called diuretics. Diuretics help to reduce the amount of excess fluid in the body by increasing the amount of urine produced. They help with lowering blood pressure particularly when used with other blood pressure lowering medicines.

Your doctor may have prescribed Telmisartan HCT GH for another reason.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Telmisartan HCT GH has been prescribed for you.

Telmisartan HCT GH is not addictive. This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.

Before you take Telmisartan HCT GH

When you must not take it

Do not take Telmisartan HCT GH if you have an allergy to:

  • any medicine containing telmisartan or hydrochlorothiazide (the two active ingredients in Telmisartan HCT GH);
  • other sulfonamide-derived medicines;
  • any of the other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

  • shortness of breath;
  • wheezing or difficulty breathing;
  • swelling of the face, lips. tongue or other parts of the body;
  • rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take Telmisartan HCT GH if you have a rare hereditary condition of fructose intolerance.

The maximum recommended daily dose of Telmisartan HCT GH contains 169 mg of sorbitol (in the 40/12.5 mg tablets) and approximately 338 mg of sorbitol (in the 80/12.5 mg and 80/25 mg tablets).

Do not take Telmisartan HCT GH if you have a rare hereditary condition of galactose intolerance.

The maximum recommended daily dose of Telmisartan HCT GH contains 112 mg of lactose monohydrate (in the 40/12.5 mg and 80/12.5 mg tablets) and 99 mg of lactose monohydrate (in the 80/25 mg tablets).

Do not take Telmisartan HCT GH if you are pregnant. Like other similar medicines, it may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.

Do not breast-feed if you are taking Telmisartan HCT GH. It is not known if telmisartan or hydrochlorothiazide, the active ingredients in Telmisartan HCT GH, pass into breast milk and there is a possibility that your baby may be affected.

Do not give Telmisartan HCT GH to a child under the age of 18 years. Safety and effectiveness in children and teenagers up to 18 years of age have not been established.

Do not take Telmisartan HCT GH if you have any of the following medical conditions:

  • severe liver disease;
  • severe kidney disease;
  • cholestasis or biliary obstructive disorders (problem with the flow of bile from the gall bladder);
  • low potassium levels in the blood;
  • high calcium levels in the blood;
  • low sodium levels that is treatment resistant;
  • low blood volume causing very low blood pressure;
  • gout;
  • diabetes or kidney problems and you are taking aliskiren (a medicine used to treat high blood pressure).

Do not take Telmisartan HCT GH after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should start taking Telmisartan HCT GH, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

  • kidney problems;
  • liver problems;
  • heart problems;
  • diabetes;
  • a condition known as primary hyperaldosteronism (raised aldosterone levels, also known as Conn’s syndrome);
  • fructose intolerance;
  • galactose intolerance;
  • recent severe diarrhoea or vomiting;
  • asthma;
  • systemic lupus erythematosus (a disease affecting the skin, joints and kidney);
  • eye problems;
  • skin cancer.

Tell your doctor if you are following a very low salt diet.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell your doctor before you start taking Telmisartan HCT GH.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and Telmisartan HCT GH may interfere with each other. These include:

  • any other medicines used to treat high blood pressure such as beta blockers;
  • heart medicines such as digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure or antiarrhythmic medicines;
  • other diuretics or fluid tablets medicines used to help the kidneys get rid of salt and water by increasing the amount of urine produced;
  • laxatives;
  • potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes;
  • medicines or salt substitutes which may increase your potassium levels;
  • amphotericin B, a medicine used to treat fungal infections;
  • penicillin antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections;
  • alcohol;
  • sleeping tablets;
  • lithium, a medicine used to treat certain mental illnesses;
  • medicines used to treat depression;
  • antipsychotics, medicines used to treat certain mental and emotional conditions;
  • antiepileptic’s, medicines used to treat epilepsy or fits;
  • strong pain killing medicines;
  • medicines for diabetes (oral tablets or capsules or insulin);
  • powder or granules used to help reduce cholesterol;
  • corticosteroid medicines such as prednisolone, cortisone or ACTH (a hormone);
  • aspirin;
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation including arthritis);
  • medicines used to treat gout;
  • medicines used to increase blood pressure, such as noradrenaline;
  • ciclosporin, a medicine used to help prevent organ transplant rejection or to treat certain problems with the immune system;
  • calcium supplements or medicines containing calcium;
  • vitamin D supplements;
  • anticholinergic medicines, which can be used to treat Parkinson’s disease, relieve stomach cramps or prevent travel sickness;
  • amantadine, a medicine used to treat Parkinson’s disease or to prevent influenza;
  • medicines used to treat cancer (cytotoxic medicines).

These medicines may be affected by Telmisartan HCT GH or may affect how well it works.

Other medicines used to treat high blood pressure may have an additive effect with Telmisartan HCT GH in lowering your blood pressure. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Telmisartan HCT GH.

How to take Telmisartan HCT GH

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how many tablets you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

The usual dose for adults is one Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg tablet once a day. If your blood pressure is still too high after 4-8 weeks of starting treatment, your doctor may increase your dose to one Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 mg tablet once a day.

If your blood pressure is still not satisfactorily controlled with Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 mg, your doctor may increase your dose to one Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg tablet once a day.

It is important to take Telmisartan HCT GH exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

How to take it

Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.

When to take it

Take Telmisartan HCT GH at about the same time each day, either morning or evening. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

You can take Telmisartan HCT GH with or without food.

How long to take it

Continue taking Telmisartan HCT GH for as long as your doctor tells you to. Telmisartan HCT GH helps control your high blood pressure but does not cure it. It is important to keep taking Telmisartan HCT GH every day even if you feel well.

People who have high blood pressure often feel well and do not notice any signs of this problem.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Otherwise, take the dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. This may increase the chance of you getting unwanted side effects.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Telmisartan HCT GH.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention. If you take too much Telmisartan HCT GH you may feel dizzy, light-headed or faint. Your heartbeat may be faster or slower than usual. You may experience dehydration, nausea, drowsiness and muscle spasm.

While you are taking Telmisartan HCT GH

Things you must do

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Telmisartan HCT GH.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Telmisartan HCT GH.

If you feel that Telmisartan HCT GH is not helping your condition, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used Telmisartan HCT GH exactly as prescribed. Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.

Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Telmisartan HCT GH.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor, surgeon and anaesthetist that you are taking Telmisartan HCT GH. Telmisartan HCT GH may affect some medicines you receive during surgery.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked. Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

Tell your doctor if you develop an unexpected abnormal lump, bump, ulcer, sore or coloured area on the skin (skin lesion) during the treatment. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide, particularly long-term use with high doses, may increase the risk of some types of skin and lip cancer (nonmelanoma skin cancer).

Protect your skin from sun exposure and UV rays while taking Telmisartan HCT GH.

Things you must not do

Do not take Telmisartan HCT GH to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop taking Telmisartan HCT GH or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.

Things to be careful of

Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Telmisartan HCT GH affects you.

Like other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, Telmisartan HCT GH may cause sleepiness, dizziness or light-headedness in some people.

If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

You may feel dizzy or light-headed when you begin to take Telmisartan HCT GH, especially if you are also taking a diuretic (or fluid tablet) or if you are dehydrated.

If you feel dizzy or light-headed, and you wish to stand up, you should do so slowly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from a bed or chair, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.

If you exercise, or if you sweat, or if the weather is hot, you should drink plenty of water.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Telmisartan HCT GH.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have. Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • ‘flu-like’ symptoms;
  • fainting, dizziness or spinning sensation;
  • a feeling of tension or fullness in the nose, cheeks and behind the eyes, sometimes with a throbbing ache (sinusitis);
  • infections of the air passages;
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
  • abnormal or blurred vision;
  • eye pain;
  • back pain;
  • changes in heart rhythm or increased heart rate;
  • rash or redness or itchiness of skin;
  • increased sweating;
  • dizziness or light-headedness when you stand up (postural hypotension);
  • stomach pain or discomfort (abdominal pain, dyspepsia, gastritis);
  • wind or excessive gas in the stomach or bowel;
  • vomiting;
  • diarrhoea or constipation;
  • dry mouth;
  • pins and needles;
  • sleep disturbances or trouble sleeping;
  • feeling anxious;
  • depression;
  • impotence;
  • leg pain or cramps in legs;
  • aching muscles or aching joints not caused by exercise or muscle spasms;
  • chest pain;
  • pain;
  • liver problems;
  • changes in the levels of potassium or sodium or uric acid in your blood (such changes are usually detected by a blood test).

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any side effects during or after taking Telmisartan HCT GH, so that these may be properly treated.

Symptoms such as feeling very thirsty, sleepy, sick or vomiting, a dry mouth, general weakness, restlessness, seizures (fits), confusion, muscle pain or cramps, passing less urine than normal and a very fast heart rate, may mean that the hydrochlorothiazide part of Telmisartan HCT GH is having an excessive effect.

You should tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any unexpected changes to your skin, including your lips. This could be a type of skin or lip cancer (non-melanoma skin cancer).

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

  • swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing;
  • severe and sudden onset of pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives or nettle rash;
  • developing or worsening of a disease called systemic lupus erythematosus which affects the skin, joints and kidney.

These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.

After taking Telmisartan HCT GH

Storage

Keep the tablets in the blister strip until it is time to take a dose. The blister pack protects the tablets from light and moisture.

Keep Telmisartan HCT GH in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store Telmisartan HCT GH or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.

Do not leave it in the car or on window sill. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep Telmisartan HCT GH where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop using Telmisartan HCT GH or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.

Product description

What it looks like

Telmisartan HCT GH is the brand name of your medicine. Telmisartan HCT GH tablets are available in three strengths:

  • Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg tablets are oblong biconvex bilayered uncoated tablets with one white/off white colour layer and one pink colour mottled layer debossed with L199.
  • Telmisartan HCT 80/12.5 mg tablets are oblong biconvex bilayered uncoated tablets one white/off white colour layer and one pink colour mottled layer debossed with L200.
  • Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg tablets are oblong shaped biconvex, bilayered, uncoated tablets with one white/off white colour layer and one yellow colour mottled layer debossed with L201.

Telmisartan HCT GH tablets are available in blister packs of 28 tablets.

Ingredients

Active ingredients

Each Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg tablet contains 40 mg telmisartan and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide.

Each Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 mg tablet contains 80 mg telmisartan and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide.

Each Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg tablet contains 80 mg telmisartan and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide.

Other ingredients

  • povidone;
  • lactose monohydrate
  • magnesium stearate;
  • meglumine;
  • sodium hydroxide;
  • sodium stearylfumarate;
  • purified water;
  • mannitol.

Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg and Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 mg tablets also contain Pigment Blend PB-24880 Pink as colouring agent.

Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg tablets also contain Pigment Blend PB-52290 Yellow, as colouring agent.

Australian Registration Numbers

Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 tablets: AUST R 208070.

Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 tablets: AUST R 208075.

Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12 tablets: AUST R 208076.

Sponsor

Generic Health Pty Ltd
Suite 2, Level 2
19-23 Prospect Street
Box Hill, VIC, 3128
Australia

Email: ghinfo@generichealth.com.au
Telephone: +61 3 9809 7900
Website: www.generichealth.com.au

This leaflet was prepared in March 2021.

Published by MIMS May 2021

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Telmisartan HCT GH

Active ingredient

Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Telmisartan HCT GH is available in three tablet strengths:
Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg containing telmisartan 40 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg;
Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 mg containing telmisartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg; and
Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg containing telmisartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg.

List of excipients with known effects.

Sugars as lactose and mannitol.
For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg tablets are oblong biconvex bilayered uncoated tablets with one white/off white color layer and one pink colour mottled layer debossed with L199.
Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5mg tablets are oblong biconvex bilayered uncoated tablets with one white/off white color layer and one pink colour mottled layer debossed with L200.
Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg tablets are oblong shaped biconvex, bilayered, uncoated tablets with one white/off white color layer and one yellow colour mottled layer debossed with L201.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Telmisartan HCT GH is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Treatment should not be initiated with these combinations.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Adults.

The recommended dose is one tablet once daily.
The dose of telmisartan can be increased before switching to Telmisartan HCT GH. Direct change from monotherapy to the fixed combinations may be considered.
Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg may be administered in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by Telmisartan GH 40 mg or hydrochlorothiazide.
Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 mg may be administered in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by Telmisartan GH 80 mg or by Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg.
Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg may be administered in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by Telmisartan HCT GH 80/12.5 mg or in patients who have been previously stabilised on telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide given separately.
Sodium or volume depletion should be corrected before treatment commencement with Telmisartan HCT GH.
The maximum antihypertensive effect with Telmisartan HCT GH is generally attained 4-8 weeks after the start of treatment.

Elderly.

No dosing adjustment is necessary. Patients aged 65 years and older should be prescribed Telmisartan HCT GH with caution due to increased risk of renal impairment.

Renal impairment.

Due to the hydrochlorothiazide component, Telmisartan HCT GH must not be used by patients with severe renal dysfunction (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min, see Section 4.3 Contraindications). Loop diuretics are preferred to thiazides in this population. Experience in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment has not suggested adverse renal effects and dose adjustment is not considered necessary. Periodic monitoring of renal function is advised (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Hepatic impairment.

In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, the dosage should not exceed Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg once daily. Telmisartan HCT GH is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

Method of administration.

Telmisartan HCT GH may be administered with or without food.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the components of the product or sulfonamide-derived substances.
Pregnancy.
Lactation.
Cholestasis and biliary obstructive disorders.
Severe hepatic impairment, coma hepaticum, hepatic precoma.
Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) or serum creatinine > 160 micromol/L), anuria, or acute glomerulonephritis.
Refractory hypokalaemia, hypercalcaemia.
Therapy-refractory hyponatraemia.
Hypovolaemia.
Symptomatic hyperuricaemia/gout.
The concomitant use of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide with aliskiren is contraindicated in patients with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment (GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2).
In case of rare hereditary conditions that may be incompatible with an excipient of the product, the use of the product is contraindicated (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Renovascular hypertension.

There is an increased risk of severe hypotension and renal insufficiency when patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis of the artery to a single functioning kidney are treated with medicinal products that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Use in renal impairment and kidney transplantation.

Experience with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide is modest in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment and therefore periodic monitoring of potassium, creatinine and uric acid serum levels is recommended. Telmisartan HCT GH must not be used in patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) (see Section 4.3 Contraindications). Thiazide diuretic-associated azotaemia may occur in patients with impaired renal function. There is no experience regarding the administration of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide in patients with a recent kidney transplant.
Increases in serum creatinine have been observed in studies with ACE inhibitors in patients with single or bilateral renal artery stenosis. An effect similar to that observed with ACE inhibitors should be anticipated with Telmisartan HCT GH.

Other conditions with stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

In patients whose vascular tone and renal function depend predominantly on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g. patients with severe congestive heart failure or underlying renal disease, including renal artery stenosis), treatment with other medicinal products that affect this system has been associated with acute hypotension, hyperazotaemia, oliguria, or rarely acute renal failure.

Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) have been reported in susceptible individuals, especially if combining medicinal products that affect this system. Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (e.g. by adding an ACE-inhibitor or the direct renin-inhibitor aliskiren to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist) should therefore be limited to individually defined cases with close monitoring of renal function (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).

Combination use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, anti-inflammatory drugs and thiazide diuretics.

The use of an ACE-inhibitor or angiotensin receptor antagonist, an anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor) and a thiazide diuretic at the same time increases the risk of renal impairment. This includes use in fixed-combination products containing more than one class of drug. Combined use of these medications should be accompanied by increased monitoring of serum creatinine, particularly at the institution of the combination. The combination of drugs from these three classes should be used with caution particularly in elderly patients or those with pre-existing renal impairment.

Primary aldosteronism.

Patients with primary aldosteronism generally will not respond to antihypertensive medicinal products acting through inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system. Therefore, the use of Telmisartan HCT GH is not recommended.

Diabetes mellitus.

Exploratory post-hoc analyses of two placebo-controlled telmisartan trials suggested an increased risk of fatal myocardial infarction and unexpected cardiovascular death (death occurring within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms without confirmation of cardiovascular cause, and without clinical or post mortem evidence of other aetiology) in patients with diabetes mellitus who have no documented medical history of either coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction. In patients with diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease may be asymptomatic and can therefore remain undiagnosed. Treatment with the blood pressure lowering agent telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide may further reduce coronary perfusion in these patients. For this reason, patients with diabetes mellitus should undergo specific diagnostics and be treated accordingly before initiating therapy with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

Aortic and mitral valve stenosis, and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

As with other vasodilators, special caution is indicated in patients suffering from aortic or mitral valve stenosis, or obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Metabolic and endocrine effects.

Thiazide therapy may impair glucose tolerance. In diabetic patients dosage adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents may be required. Latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest during thiazide therapy.
An increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels has been associated with thiazide diuretic therapy; however, at the 12.5 mg dose contained in telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg and 80/12.5 mg tablets, minimal or no effects were reported.
Hyperuricaemia may occur or frank gout may be precipitated in some patients receiving thiazide therapy.
In the clinical trials conducted with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, an increase in uric acid levels and triglyceride levels were observed with increasing dose of hydrochlorothiazide. Consideration should be taken if monitoring of lipids and uric acid levels is needed in patients at risk of metabolic disturbances when titrated to the highest dose of Telmisartan HCT GH.

Electrolyte imbalance.

As for any patient receiving diuretic therapy, periodic determination of serum electrolytes should be performed at appropriate intervals including when the patient is vomiting excessively or receiving parenteral fluids.
Thiazides, including hydrochlorothiazide, can cause fluid or electrolyte imbalance (hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, and hypochloraemic alkalosis). Warning signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance are dryness of mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, seizures, confusion, muscle pain or cramps, muscular fatigue, hypotension, oliguria, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea or vomiting.
Although hypokalaemia may develop with the use of thiazide diuretics, concurrent therapy with telmisartan may reduce diuretic-induced hypokalaemia. The risk of hypokalaemia is greatest in patients with liver cirrhosis, in patients experiencing brisk diuresis, in patients who are receiving inadequate oral intake of electrolytes and in patients receiving concomitant therapy with corticosteroids or ACTH. Conversely, due to the antagonism of the AT1 receptors by the telmisartan component of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, hyperkalaemia might occur. Although clinically significant hyperkalaemia has not been documented with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, risk factors for the development of hyperkalaemia include renal insufficiency and/or heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or potassium-containing salt substitutes should be co-administered cautiously with Telmisartan HCT GH (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).
There is no evidence that telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide would reduce or prevent diuretic-induced hyponatraemia. Chloride deficit is generally mild and usually does not require treatment.
Thiazides may decrease urinary calcium excretion and cause an intermittent and slight elevation of serum calcium in the absence of known disorders of calcium metabolism. Marked hypercalcaemia may be evidence of hidden hyperparathyroidism. Thiazides should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function.
Thiazides have been shown to increase the urinary excretion of magnesium, which may result in hypomagnesaemia.

Use in hepatic impairment.

The majority of telmisartan is eliminated in the bile. Patients with cholestasis, biliary obstructive disorders or severe hepatic insufficiency can be expected to have reduced clearance. Telmisartan HCT GH is contraindicated for use in these patients.
Telmisartan HCT GH should only be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma. There is no clinical experience with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide in patients with hepatic impairment.

Mannitol.

The maximum recommended daily dose of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets contains 170 mg mannitol in the dose strength 40/12.5 mg and approximately 340 mg mannitol in the dose strengths 80/12.5 mg and 80/25 mg.
Patients with rare hereditary condition of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.

Lactose monohydrate.

The maximum recommended daily dose of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide contains 112 mg of lactose monohydrate in the dose strengths 40/12.5 mg and 80/12.5 mg, and 99 mg of lactose monohydrate in the dose strength 80/25 mg.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, e.g. lactase deficiency or glucose galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Sodium and/or volume depleted patients.

Symptomatic hypotension, especially after the first dose, may occur in patients who are volume and/or sodium depleted by vigorous diuretic therapy, dietary salt restriction, diarrhoea or vomiting. Such conditions should be corrected before the administration of Telmisartan HCT GH.

Choroidal effusion, acute myopia and secondary angle-closure glaucoma.

Hydrochlorothiazide, a sulfonamide, can cause an idiosyncratic reaction, resulting in choroidal effusion with visual field defect, acute transient myopia and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Symptoms include acute onset of decreased visual acuity or ocular pain and typically occur within hours to weeks of drug initiation. Untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. The primary treatment is to discontinue hydrochlorothiazide as rapidly as possible. Prompt medical or surgical treatments may need to be considered if the intraocular pressure remains uncontrolled. Risk factors for developing acute angle-closure glaucoma may include a history of sulfonamide or penicillin allergy.

Non-melanoma skin cancer.

An increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) [basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)] with increasing cumulative dose of hydrochlorothiazide exposure has been observed in two epidemiological studies based on the Danish National Cancer Registry (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials). Photosensitising actions of hydrochlorothiazide could act as a possible mechanism for NMSC.
Patients taking hydrochlorothiazide should be informed of the risk of NMSC and advised to regularly check their skin for any new lesions and promptly report any suspicious skin lesions. Possible preventive measures such as limited exposure to sunlight and UV rays and, in case of exposure, adequate protection should be advised to the patients in order to minimise the risk of skin cancer. Suspicious skin lesions should be promptly examined potentially including histological examinations of biopsies. The use of hydrochlorothiazide may also need to be reconsidered in patients who have experienced previous NMSC (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

Other.

As with any antihypertensive agent, excessive reduction of blood pressure in patients with ischaemic cardiopathy or ischaemic cardiovascular disease could result in a myocardial infarction or stroke.

General.

Hypersensitivity reactions to hydrochlorothiazide may occur in patients with or without a history of allergy or bronchial asthma, but are more likely in patients with such a history.
Exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported with the use of thiazide diuretics.

Use in the elderly.

See Section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties, Special populations, Elderly patients.

Paediatric use.

Safety and efficacy of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide have not been established in children and adolescents up to 18 years. Use of Telmisartan HCT GH is not recommended in children and adolescents.

Effects on laboratory tests.

See Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects), Clinical laboratory findings.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Interactions linked to telmisartan.

Telmisartan may increase the hypotensive effect of other antihypertensive agents. Compounds which have been studied in pharmacokinetic trials include digoxin, warfarin, hydrochlorothiazide, glibenclamide, ibuprofen, paracetamol, simvastatin and amlodipine. For digoxin a 20% increase in median plasma digoxin trough concentration has been observed (39% in a single case), monitoring of plasma digoxin levels should be considered.
Reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Cases have also been reported with angiotensin II receptor antagonists, including telmisartan. Furthermore, renal clearance of lithium is reduced by thiazides so the risk of lithium toxicity could be increased with Telmisartan HCT GH. Lithium and Telmisartan HCT GH should be co-administered with caution. Therefore, serum lithium level monitoring is advisable during concomitant use.
The potassium-depleting effect of hydrochlorothiazide is attenuated by the potassium-sparing effect of telmisartan. However, this effect of hydrochlorothiazide on serum potassium would be expected to be potentiated by other drugs associated with potassium loss and hypokalaemia (e.g. other kaliuretic diuretics, laxatives, corticosteroids, ACTH, amphotericin B (amphotericin), carbenoxolone, penicillin G sodium, salicylic acid and derivatives). Conversely, based on the experience with the use of other drugs that blunt the renin-angiotensin system, concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium or other drugs that may increase serum potassium levels (e.g. heparin sodium) may lead to increases in serum potassium. If these drugs are to be prescribed with Telmisartan HCT GH, monitoring of potassium plasma levels is advisable.
Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin at anti-inflammatory dosage regimens, COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective NSAIDs is associated with the potential for acute renal insufficiency in patients who are dehydrated. Compounds acting on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system like telmisartan may have synergistic effects. Patients receiving NSAIDs and Telmisartan HCT GH should be adequately hydrated and be monitored for renal function at the beginning of combined treatment. The co-administration of NSAIDs may reduce the diuretic, natriuretic and antihypertensive effects of thiazide diuretics in some patients.
Periodic monitoring of serum potassium is recommended when Telmisartan HCT GH is administered with drugs affected by serum potassium disturbances (e.g. digitalis glycosides, antiarrhythmics and drugs known to induce torsades de pointes).
Telmisartan is not metabolised by the cytochrome P450 system and had no effects in vitro on cytochrome P450 enzymes, except for some inhibition of CYP2C19. Telmisartan is not expected to interact with drugs that inhibit, or are metabolised by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
In one study, the co-administration of telmisartan 80 mg once daily and ramipril 10 mg once daily to healthy subjects increases steady-state Cmax and AUC of ramipril 2.3- and 2.1 fold, respectively, and Cmax and AUC of ramiprilat 2.4- and 1.5-fold, respectively. In contrast, Cmax and AUC of telmisartan decrease by 31% and 16% respectively. The clinical relevance of this observation is not fully known. When co-administering telmisartan and ramipril, the response may be greater because of the possibly additive pharmacodynamics effects of the combined drugs and also because of the increased exposure to ramipril and ramiprilat in the presence of telmisartan. Combining telmisartan with ramipril in the ONTARGET trial resulted in a significantly higher incidence of hyperkalaemia, renal failure, hypotension and syncope compared to telmisartan alone or ramipril alone (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Mechanism of action, Telmisartan). Concomitant use of telmisartan and ramipril is therefore not recommended in patients with already controlled blood pressure and should be limited to individually defined cases with close monitoring of renal function.

Interactions linked to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).

The antihypertensive effect of HCTZ can be potentiated by other diuretics, antihypertensive agents, guanethidine, methyldopa, calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, DRIs, beta-receptor blockers, nitrates, barbiturates, narcotics, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, vasodilators or by alcohol consumption.
During treatment with HCTZ, there is - at the start of treatment with adjuvant ACE inhibitors (e.g. captopril) - a risk of massive hypotension and worsening renal function. Diuretic treatment should therefore be discontinued 2 to 3 days prior to initiation of therapy with an ACE inhibitor to avoid the possibility of hypotension at the start of therapy.
Salicylates and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. indometacin) may reduce the antihypertensive and diuretic effect of HCTZ. In patients taking high-dose salicylates, the toxic effect of salicylates on the central nervous system may be potentiated. In patients developing hypovolaemia during treatment with HCTZ, concomitant administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may trigger acute renal failure.
Co-administration of thiazides (including HCTZ) and allopurinol may increase the frequency of hypersensitivity reactions to allopurinol.
Co-administration of thiazides and amantadine may increase the risk of amantadine-related adverse reactions.
There is an increased risk for the onset of hyperglycaemia with concomitant administration of HCTZ and beta-receptor blockers.
The effect of insulin or oral antidiabetics, uric acid-lowering agents, as well as noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and adrenaline (epinephrine), may be attenuated with concomitant use of HCTZ. There is also an increased risk of lactic acidosis when metformin is co-administered with HCTZ. An adjustment of the insulin, oral antidiabetic or uric acid-lowering agent dosage may therefore be required.
In concomitant treatment with cardiac glycosides, myocardial sensitivity to cardiac glycosides will be increased by any hypokalaemia and/or hypomagnesaemia that develops during HCTZ therapy, thereby potentiating the effects and adverse effects of these cardiac glycosides.
Concomitant use of HCTZ and kaliuretic diuretics (e.g. furosemide (frusemide)), glucocorticoids, ACTH, carbenoxolone, penicillin G, salicylates, amphotericin B (amphotericin), antiarrhythmics or laxatives may lead to increased potassium loss.
Concomitant use of natriuretic diuretics and antidepressants, antipsychotics or antiepileptics may lead to increased sodium loss. Caution is advised in the long-term use of these medicinal products.
Concomitant use of thiazide diuretics and cytotoxic agents (e.g. cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, methotrexate) may lead to a reduction in the renal excretion of cytotoxic agents. Increased bone marrow toxicity (especially granulocytopenia) can be expected.
The bioavailability of thiazide diuretics may be increased by anticholinergic agents (e.g. atropine, biperiden), likely due to a decrease in gastrointestinal motility and the gastric emptying rate. In contrast, prokinetic medicinal products such as cisapride may reduce the bioavailability of thiazide diuretics.
Diuretics increase plasma lithium levels. As concomitant administration of HCTZ and lithium leads to potentiation of the cardio-and neurotoxic effects of lithium due to decreased lithium excretion, the lithium level must be monitored in patients receiving HCTZ and lithium. In patients with lithium induced polyuria, diuretics can have a paradoxical antidiuretic effect.
The effect of curare-like muscle relaxants may be potentiated or prolonged by HCTZ. In cases where HCTZ cannot be discontinued before the use of curare-like muscle relaxants, the anaesthetist must be informed of the treatment with HCTZ.
Concomitant use of colestyramine or colestipol reduces the absorption of HCTZ. Single doses of either colestyramine or colestipol resins bind the HCTZ and reduce its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by up to 85% and 43%, respectively. However, the interaction may be minimised by staggered dosing of HCTZ and the resinate, so that HCTZ is taken at least 4 hours before or 4-6 hours after administration of the resinate.
Concomitant use with vitamin D may reduce the excretion of calcium via the urine and potentiate the increase of calcium in serum.
When co-administered with calcium salts, hypercalcaemia may occur due to the increase in tubular calcium reuptake. If calcium supplements must be prescribed, serum calcium levels should be monitored and calcium dosage adjusted accordingly.
Concomitant use with ciclosporin may increase the risk of hyperuricaemia and gout-like complications.
Thiazides can increase the hyperglycaemic effect of diazoxide.
During concomitant use of methyldopa, there have been uncommon reports of haemolysis, caused by the formation of antibodies against HCTZ.
HCTZ may reduce the response to adrenergic amines, such as noradrenaline (norepinephrine). However, the clinical impact of this effect does not justify the exclusion of their use.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

No studies on fertility in humans have been performed. The effects on fertility of telmisartan in combination with hydrochlorothiazide have not been evaluated in animal studies.

Telmisartan.

The fertility of male and female rats was unaffected at oral telmisartan doses up to 100 mg/kg/day.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

No animal fertility studies with hydrochlorothiazide are available for evaluation.
(Category D)

Telmisartan.

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists should not be initiated during pregnancy. The use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists is not recommended during the first trimester of pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with angiotensin II receptor antagonists should be stopped immediately, and, if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started. The use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
Although there is no clinical experience with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide in pregnant women, in utero exposure to drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause foetal and neonatal morbidity and even death. Several dozen cases have been reported in the world literature in patients who were taking angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Therefore, when pregnancy is detected, Telmisartan HCT GH should be discontinued as soon as possible.
Non-clinical studies with telmisartan do not indicate teratogenic effect, but have shown foetotoxicity.
Angiotensin II receptor antagonist exposure during the second and third trimesters is known to induce human foetotoxicity (decreased renal function, oligohydramnios, skull ossification retardation) and neonatal toxicity (renal failure, hypotension, hyperkalaemia). Oligohydramnios reported in this setting, presumably resulting from decreased foetal renal function, has been associated with foetal limb contractures, craniofacial deformation, and hypoplastic lung development. Prematurity, intrauterine growth retardation, and patent ductus arteriosus have also been reported, although it is not clear whether these occurrences were due to exposure to the drug.
These adverse effects do not appear to occur when drug exposure has been limited to the first trimester. Mothers whose embryos and foetuses are exposed to an angiotensin II receptor antagonist only during the first trimester should be so informed. Women of child-bearing age should be warned of the potential hazards to their foetus should they become pregnant.
Unless continued angiotensin II receptor antagonist therapy is considered essential, patients planning pregnancy should be changed to alternative antihypertensive treatments which have an established safety profile for use in pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, treatment with angiotensin II receptor antagonists should be stopped immediately, and if appropriate, alternative therapy should be started.
Should exposure to angiotensin II receptor antagonists have occurred from the second trimester of pregnancy, ultrasound check of renal function and skull is recommended. Infants whose mothers have taken angiotensin II receptor antagonists should be closely observed for hypotension, oliguria and hyperkalaemia.
Telmisartan has been shown to cross the placenta in rats. There were no teratogenic effects when telmisartan alone or telmisartan in combination with hydrochlorothiazide were administered orally to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses up to 50 mg/kg/day telmisartan and 15.6 mg/kg hydrochlorothiazide. Telmisartan was not teratogenic in rabbits at oral doses up to 45 mg/kg/day, but foetal resorptions were observed at the highest dose level. Administration of 50 mg/kg/day telmisartan to rats during pregnancy and lactation caused a decrease in birth weight and suppression of postnatal growth and development of the offspring. The no-effect dose level in rabbits was 15 mg/kg/day, and corresponded to a plasma AUC value that was about 9 times higher than that anticipated in women at the highest recommended dose. Plasma AUC values of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide in rats at the highest dose were both about 5 times that anticipated in women at the highest recommended dose.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

There is limited experience with hydrochlorothiazide during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
Hydrochlorothiazide crosses the placenta. Based on the pharmacological mechanism of action of hydrochlorothiazide its use during the second and third trimester may compromise foeto-placental perfusion and may cause foetal and neonatal effects like icterus, disturbance of electrolyte balance and thrombocytopenia.
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for gestational oedema, gestational hypertension or preeclampsia due to the risk of decreased plasma volume and placental hypoperfusion, without a beneficial effect on the course of the disease.
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for essential hypertension in pregnant women except in rare situations where no other treatment could be used.
 Telmisartan HCT GH is contraindicated during lactation since it is not known whether telmisartan is excreted in human milk. Animal studies have shown excretion of telmisartan in breast milk. Thiazides appear in human milk and may inhibit lactation. Lactating women should either not be prescribed Telmisartan HCT GH or should discontinue breastfeeding if Telmisartan HCT GH is administered.
Telmisartan is excreted in the milk of lactating rats. When administered orally to lactating rats at 50 mg/kg/day, telmisartan suppressed postnatal growth and development of the offspring.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effect of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide on ability to drive and use machines has not been studied. However, when driving or operating machinery it should be taken into account that with antihypertensive therapy, occasionally dizziness or drowsiness may occur. The ability to drive or work without suitable safeguards may be impaired. This applies particularly at the start of treatment, when increasing the dose, or switching medications and in interaction with alcohol.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide has been evaluated for safety in over 1,700 patients, including 716 treated for over six months and 420 for over one year. In clinical trials with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, no unexpected adverse events have been observed. Adverse experiences have been limited to those that have been previously reported with telmisartan and/or hydrochlorothiazide. The overall incidence of adverse experiences reported with the combination was comparable to placebo. Most adverse experiences were mild in intensity and transient in nature and did not require discontinuation of therapy.
The overall incidence and pattern of adverse events reported with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg was comparable with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg. A dose-relationship of undesirable effects was not established and they showed no correlation with gender, age or race of the patients.
Adverse events occurring at an incidence of 2% or more in patients treated with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide and at a greater rate than in patients treated with placebo, irrespective of their causal association, are presented in Table 1.
The following adverse events were reported at a rate of 2% or greater in patients treated with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, but were as, or more common in the placebo group: pain, headache, cough, urinary tract infection (including cystitis).
Adverse events occurred at approximately the same rates in men and women, older and younger patients, and black and non-black patients.
The adverse events reported in clinical trials with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide (including the dose strengths 40/12.5 mg, 80/12.5 mg and 80/25 mg) are listed below.

Cardiac disorders.

Arrhythmia, tachycardia.

Eye disorders.

Visual impairment, blurred vision.

Ear and labyrinth disorders.

Vertigo.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Diarrhoea, dry mouth, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, dyspepsia, vomiting, gastritis.

General disorders and administration site conditions.

Chest pain, influenza-like illness, pain.

Hepato-biliary disorders.

Abnormal hepatic function/liver disorder*.

Infections and infestations.

Bronchitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis.

Investigations.

Blood creatinine increased, hepatic enzyme increased, blood creatine phosphokinase increased, blood uric acid increased.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders.

Hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hyperuricaemia.

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders.

Back pain, muscle spasms (cramps in legs), myalgia, arthralgia, pain in extremity (leg pain).

Nervous system disorders.

Syncope/faint, dizziness, paraesthesia, sleep disorder, insomnia.

Psychiatric disorders.

Anxiety, depression.

Reproductive system and breast disorders.

Erectile dysfunction.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Respiratory distress (including pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema), dyspnoea.

Renal and urinary disorders.

Renal impairment including acute renal injury.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Angioedema (with fatal outcome), erythema, pruritus, rash, hyperhidrosis, urticaria.

Vascular disorders.

Hypotension, orthostatic hypotension.
In controlled trials (n = 1,017), 0.2% of patients treated with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg or 80/12.5 mg discontinued due to orthostatic hypotension, and the incidence of dizziness was 4% and 7%, respectively.

Telmisartan.

Adverse experiences that have been reported with telmisartan in the indication of hypertension treatment or in patients aged 50 years or older at high risk of developing major cardiovascular events, without regard to causality, are listed below.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders.

Anaemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia.

Cardiac disorders.

Palpitation, angina pectoris, abnormal ECG, bradycardia.

Ear and labyrinth disorders.

Tinnitus, earache.

Endocrine disorders.

Diabetes mellitus.

Eye disorders.

Conjunctivitis.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Haemorrhoids, gastroenteritis, enteritis, gastroesophageal reflux, toothache, non-specific gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. abdominal discomfort).

General disorders and administration site conditions.

Pyrexia, fever, malaise, leg oedema, peripheral oedema, asthenia (weakness).

Immune system disorders.

Allergy, anaphylactic reaction, hypersensitivity.

Infections and infestations.

Sepsis including fatal outcome, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, cystitis, infection, fungal infection, abscess, otitis media.

Investigations.

Haemoglobin decreased.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders.

Gout, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperkalaemia, hypoglycaemia (in diabetic patients).

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders.

Arthritis, tendon pain (tendinitis like symptoms).

Nervous system disorders.

Somnolence, migraine, hypoaesthesia.

Psychiatric disorders.

Nervousness.

Renal and urinary disorders.

Micturition frequency.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Asthma, rhinitis, epistaxis.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Dermatitis, eczema, drug eruption, toxic skin eruption.

Vascular disorders.

Cerebrovascular disorder, flushing, dependent oedema, hypertension.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

Adverse experiences that have been reported with hydrochlorothiazide, without regard to causality, are listed below.

Blood and lymphatic system disorders.

Anaemia (including aplastic anaemia, haemolytic anaemia), agranulocytosis, bone marrow failure, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia (sometimes with purpura).

Eye disorders.

Xanthopsia, angle-closure glaucoma, choroidal effusion.

Endocrine disorders.

Diabetes mellitus inadequate control.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Nausea, pancreatitis, abdominal discomfort, cramping, gastric irritation.

General disorders and administration site conditions.

Pyrexia, asthenia (weakness).

Hepatobiliary disorders.

Jaundice (cholestasis intrahepatic).

Immune system disorders.

Anaphylactic reactions, vasculitis necrotising.

Infections and infestations.

Sialadenitis.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders.

Hyperglycaemia, hypovolaemia, electrolyte imbalance, hyperlipidaemia, anorexia, decreased appetite, hypomagnesaemia, hypercalcaemia, hypochloraemic alkalosis, glycosuria.

Musculoskeletal, connective tissue and bone disorders.

Weakness.

Nervous system disorders.

Headache.

Psychiatric disorders.

Restlessness.

Renal and urinary disorders.

Renal failure, renal dysfunction, interstitial nephritis.

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Respiratory distress, pneumonitis, pulmonary oedema.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Lupus like syndrome (drug induced cutaneous lupus erythematosus), erythema multiforme including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis including toxic epidermal necrolysis, purpura, photosensitivity reaction.

Clinical laboratory findings.

In controlled trials, clinically relevant changes in standard laboratory test parameters were rarely associated with administration of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

Haemoglobin and haematocrit.

Decreases in haemoglobin (≥ 2 g/dL) and haematocrit (≥ 9%) were observed in 1.2% and 0.6% of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide patients, respectively, in controlled trials. Changes in haemoglobin and haematocrit were not considered clinically significant and there were no discontinuations due to anaemia.

Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

Increases in BUN (≥ 11.2 mg/dL) and serum creatinine (≥ 0.5 mg/dL) were observed in 2.8% and 1.4%, respectively, of patients with hypertension treated with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets in controlled trials. No patient discontinued treatment with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide due to an increase in BUN or creatinine.

Liver function tests.

Occasional elevations of liver enzymes and/or serum bilirubin have occurred. No telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide treated patients discontinued therapy due to abnormal hepatic function.

Electrolyte imbalance.

See Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use.

Post-marketing experience.

In addition, the following have also been reported based on post-marketing experience.

Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

Immune system disorders.

Exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
* Most cases of hepatic function/liver disorder from post-marketing experience with telmisartan occurred in patients in Japan, who are more likely to experience these adverse reactions.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (including cysts and polyps).

Frequency 'not known': Non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and lip squamous cell carcinoma) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials).

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

Limited information is available for telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide with regard to overdose in humans.
The most prominent manifestations of telmisartan overdose were hypotension and tachycardia; bradycardia also occurred.
Overdose with hydrochlorothiazide is associated with electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia, hypochloraemia, hyponatraemia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. The most common signs and symptoms of overdose are nausea and somnolence. Hypokalaemia may result in muscle spasm and/or accentuate cardiac arrhythmias associated with the concomitant use of digitalis glycosides or certain anti-arrhythmic drugs.
No specific information is available on the treatment of overdose with Telmisartan HCT GH. The patient should be closely monitored, and the treatment should be symptomatic and supportive depending on the time since ingestion and the severity of the symptoms. Serum electrolytes and creatinine should be monitored frequently. If hypotension occurs, the patient should be placed in a supine position, with salt and volume replacements given quickly.
Telmisartan is not removed by haemodialysis. The degree to which hydrochlorothiazide is removed by haemodialysis has not been established.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Angiotensin II antagonists and diuretics.
ATC code: C09DA07.

Mechanism of action.

Telmisartan HCT GH is a combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, telmisartan, and a thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide. The combination of these ingredients has an additive antihypertensive effect, reducing blood pressure to a greater degree than either component alone. Telmisartan HCT GH once daily produces effective and smooth reductions in blood pressure across the therapeutic dose range.

Telmisartan.

Telmisartan displaces angiotensin II with very high affinity from its binding site at the AT1 receptor subtype, which is responsible for the known actions of angiotensin II. Telmisartan does not exhibit any partial agonist activity at the AT1 receptor. Telmisartan binds selectively with the AT1 receptor and does not reveal relevant affinity for other receptors nor does it inhibit human plasma renin or block ion channels. The clinically relevant effect of AT1 receptor blockade is to lower blood pressure by inhibition of angiotensin II mediated vasoconstriction leading to reduction of systemic vascular resistance. During administration with telmisartan, removal of angiotensin II negative feedback on renin secretion results in increased plasma renin activity, which in turn leads to increases in angiotensin II in plasma. Despite these increases, antihypertensive activity and suppressed aldosterone levels indicate effective angiotensin II receptor blockade. Telmisartan does not inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme (kininase II), the enzyme which also degrades bradykinin. Therefore it is not expected to potentiate bradykinin-mediated adverse effects or cause oedema.
In humans, an 80 mg dose of telmisartan almost completely inhibits the angiotensin II evoked increase in blood pressure. The inhibitory effect is maintained over 24 hours and still measurable up to 48 hours.
After administration of the first dose of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, onset of antihypertensive activity occurs gradually within 3 hours. The maximal reduction in blood pressure is generally attained 4-8 weeks after the start of treatment and is sustained during long-term therapy. The antihypertensive effect persists constantly over 24 hours after dosing and includes the last 4 hours before the next dose. With ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and conventional blood pressure measurements, the 24 hour trough to peak ratio for 40-80 mg doses of telmisartan was > 80% for both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
In patients with hypertension, telmisartan reduces both systolic and diastolic blood pressure without affecting pulse rate. The antihypertensive efficacy of telmisartan is independent of gender or age, and has been compared to antihypertensive drugs such as amlodipine, atenolol, enalapril, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril and valsartan.
Upon abrupt cessation of treatment, blood pressure gradually returns to pre-treatment values over a period of several days without evidence of rebound hypertension.
The incidence of dry cough was significantly lower in patients treated with telmisartan than in those given angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in clinical trials directly comparing the two antihypertensive treatments.

Prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

ONTARGET (ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial) compared the effects of telmisartan, ramipril and the combination of telmisartan and ramipril on cardiovascular outcomes in 25620 patients aged 55 years or older with a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetes mellitus accompanied by evidence of end-organ damage (e.g. retinopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, macro- or microalbuminuria), which represents a broad cross-section of patients at high risk of cardiovascular events.
The co-primary objectives of the ONTARGET trial were to determine if (a) the combination of telmisartan 80 mg and ramipril 10 mg is superior to ramipril 10 mg alone and if (b) telmisartan 80 mg is not inferior to ramipril 10 mg alone in reducing the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or hospitalisation for congestive heart failure.
Hypothesis tests were performed using hazard ratios and time-to-event analyses (Kaplan-Meier).
The principal patient exclusion criteria included: symptomatic heart failure or other specific cardiac diseases, syncopal episodes of unknown aetiology or planned cardiac surgery within 3 months of the start of study, uncontrolled hypertension or haemorrhagic stroke.
Patients were randomised to one of the three following treatment groups: telmisartan 80 mg (n=8542), ramipril 10 mg (n=8576), or the combination of telmisartan 80 mg plus ramipril 10 mg (n=8502), and followed for a mean observation time of 4.5 years. The population studied was 73% male, 74% Caucasian, 14% Asian and 43% were 65 years of age or older. Hypertension was present in nearly 83% of randomised patients: 69% of patients had a history of hypertension at randomisation and an additional 14% had actual blood pressure readings ≥ 140/90 mmHg. At baseline, the total percentage of patients with a medical history of diabetes was 38% and an additional 3% presented with elevated fasting plasma glucose levels. Baseline therapy included acetylsalicylic acid (76%), statins (62%), betablockers (57%), calcium channel blockers (34%), nitrates (29%) and diuretics (28%).
Adherence to treatment was better for telmisartan than for ramipril or the combination of telmisartan and ramipril, although the study population had been pre-screened for tolerance to treatment with an ACE-inhibitor. During the study, significantly less telmisartan patients (22.0%) discontinued treatment, compared to ramipril patients (24.4%) and telmisartan/ramipril patients (25.3%). The analysis of adverse events leading to permanent treatment discontinuation and of serious adverse events showed that cough and angioedema were less frequently reported in patients treated with telmisartan than in patients treated with ramipril, whereas hypotension was more frequently reported with telmisartan.

Comparison of telmisartan versus ramipril.

The choice of the non-inferiority margin of 1.13 was solely based on the results of the HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) study. Telmisartan showed a similar effect to ramipril in reducing the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or hospitalisation for congestive heart failure. The incidence of the primary endpoint was similar in the telmisartan (16.7%) and ramipril (16.5%) groups. In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, the hazard ratio for telmisartan versus ramipril was 1.01 (97.5% CI 0.931.10, p(non-inferiority)= 0.0019). The non-inferiority result was confirmed in the per-protocol (PP) analysis, where the hazard ratio was 1.02 (97.5% CI 0.93-1.12, p(non-inferiority)=0.0078). Since the upper limit of the 97.5% CI was below the pre-defined non-inferiority margin of 1.13 and the p-value for non-inferiority was below 0.0125 in both the ITT and PP analyses, the trial succeeded in demonstrating the non-inferiority of telmisartan versus ramipril in the prevention of the composite primary endpoint. The non-inferiority conclusion was found to persist following corrections for differences in systolic blood pressure at baseline and over time. There was no difference in the primary endpoint in subgroups based on age, gender, race, baseline concomitant therapies or underlying diseases.
Telmisartan was also found to be similarly effective to ramipril in several pre-specified secondary endpoints, including a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke, the primary endpoint in the reference study HOPE, which had investigated the effect of ramipril versus placebo. The ITT hazard ratio of telmisartan versus ramipril for this endpoint in ONTARGET was 0.99 (97.5% CI 0.90-1.08, p(non-inferiority)=0.0004), and confirmed by the PP hazard ratio of 1.00 (97.5% CI 0.91-1.11, p(non-inferiority)=0.0041.

Comparison of telmisartan plus ramipril combination versus ramipril monotherapy alone.

Combining telmisartan with ramipril did not add further benefit over ramipril or telmisartan alone, thus superiority of the combination could not be demonstrated. The incidence of the primary endpoint was 16.3% in the telmisartan plus ramipril combination group, compared to the telmisartan (16.7%) and ramipril (16.5%) groups. In addition, there was a significantly higher incidence of hyperkalaemia, renal failure, hypotension and syncope in the combination group. Therefore the use of a combination of telmisartan and ramipril is not recommended in this population.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of thiazide diuretics is not fully known. Thiazides affect the renal tubular mechanisms of electrolyte reabsorption, directly increasing excretion of sodium and chloride in approximately equivalent amounts. The diuretic action of hydrochlorothiazide reduces plasma volume, increases plasma renin activity, increases aldosterone secretion, with consequent increases in urinary potassium and bicarbonate loss, and decreases in serum potassium. Co-administration with telmisartan tends to reverse the potassium loss associated with these diuretics, presumably through blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. With hydrochlorothiazide, onset of diuresis occurs in 2 hours, and peak effect occurs at about 4 hours, while the action persists for approximately 6-12 hours.
Epidemiological studies have shown that long-term treatment with hydrochlorothiazide reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. There are no data regarding the effects of telmisartan and telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide on morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients.

Clinical trials.

The antihypertensive effects of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide were examined in three pivotal 8-week randomised, double-blind clinical trials.
One of the pivotal studies compared telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg to telmisartan 40 mg, in patients who failed to respond adequately to treatment with telmisartan 40 mg. Following a 4 week run-in period, patients who failed to respond to telmisartan 40 mg monotherapy (DBP ≥ 90 mmHg) were randomised to receive either telmisartan 40 mg (167 patients) or telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg (160 patients) for 8 weeks. Seated blood pressure was taken 24 hours post-dose at each visit.
Treatment with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg lowered DBP by an additional 3.5 mmHg and SBP by 7.4 mmHg compared to telmisartan 40 mg. Both results were highly statistically significant (p < 0.01). Most of the additional effect was seen at 4 weeks of treatment. Changes in DBP for telmisartan 40 mg monotherapy were -4.8 mmHg at week 4 and -4.3 mmHg at week 8. Changes in DBP for telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg were -6.1 mmHg at week 4 and -7.4 mmHg at week 8.
Patients in the telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg arm had a normalised blood pressure response rate (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) of 51.6% compared to 23.5% for patients in the telmisartan 40 mg monotherapy arm. The DBP response rate (DBP < 90 mmHg) was 64.8% for the telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg compared to 40.1% in the monotherapy arm. The SBP response rate (reduction in SBP ≥ 10 mmHg from start of active treatment) was 63.5% for the telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 40/12.5 mg compared to 42.6% in the monotherapy arm.
In the other pivotal study, telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg was compared to telmisartan 80 mg. Patients received telmisartan 40 mg (open label) for 4 weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, patients who failed to respond adequately to telmisartan 40 mg (DBP > 90 mmHg) were titrated to telmisartan 80 mg. At the end of this 4 week period, patients who failed to respond adequately to telmisartan 80 mg (DBP ≥ 90 mmHg) were randomised to receive either telmisartan 80 mg (245 patients) or telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg (246 patients). Seated blood pressure was recorded 24 hours post-dose at each visit.
Treatment with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg lowered DBP by an additional 3.1 mmHg and SBP by 5.7 mmHg compared to telmisartan 80 mg in this group of non-responders to telmisartan 80 mg monotherapy. Both were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Similar results were seen with standing blood pressure. Most of the additional effect was seen at 4 weeks of treatment. Patients in the telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg arm had a significantly greater blood pressure response rate (SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg) of 41.5% compared to 26.1% for patients in the telmisartan 80 mg arm (p < 0.05).
In the third pivotal study (n = 687 patients evaluated for efficacy), telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg was compared to telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg in patients who failed to respond adequately to treatment with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg. Following a 6 week run-in period, patients who failed to respond to telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg (DBP ≥ 90 mmHg) were randomised to either continue treatment with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg (347 patients) or to receive telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg (340 patients) for 8 weeks. Seated blood pressure was recorded 24 hours post-dose at each visit.
In this group of non-responders to telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg, treatment with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg demonstrated an incremental blood pressure lowering effect on DBP by an additional 1.6 mmHg and on SBP by 2.7 mmHg compared to continued treatment with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg (difference in adjusted mean changes from baseline, respectively). Both were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Patients in the telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg arm had a significantly greater blood pressure response rate compared to patients in the telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg arm. The DBP response rate (DBP < 90 mmHg or reduction in DBP ≥ 10 mmHg from baseline) was 59.7% for telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg compared to 51.9% for telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg and the SBP response rate (SBP < 140 mmHg or reduction in SBP ≥ 10 mmHg from baseline) was 65.9% for telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg compared to 57.3% for telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/12.5 mg (both p < 0.05).
An open-label follow-up study was conducted at the study end of the telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg pivotal study, where all patients received telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg for 6 months. In this follow-up study, trough seated blood pressure was further decreased by 4.6/3.6 mmHg (SBP/DBP) with telmisartan/ hydrochlorothiazide 80/25 mg treatment, resulting in a total reduction of 11.4/9.7 mmHg (SBP/DBP) from baseline of the preceding study. Overall, the DBP response rate (DBP < 90 mmHg or reduction in DBP ≥ 10 mmHg from baseline of the preceding study) was achieved in 74.3% of patients and the SBP response rate (SBP < 140 mmHg or reduction in SBP ≥ 10 mmHg from baseline of the preceding study) was achieved in 77.8% of patients at study end.
In a pooled analysis of two similar 8 week double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials (n = 2121 patients evaluated for efficacy) comparing telmisartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (942 patients) with valsartan 160 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (952 patients), a significantly greater blood pressure lowering effect of 2.2/1.2 mmHg (SBP/DBP) was demonstrated (difference in adjusted mean changes from baseline, respectively) in favour of telmisartan 80 mg/ hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg combination. Both were statistically significant (p < 0.01).
No statistical differences were found with regard to gender between the different treatment groups in all three pivotal studies. No differences were observed concerning age in the first pivotal study discussed. However, for the second and third pivotal studies, although there were no age differences between treatment groups for DBP response/lowering effect, a trend was observed for a greater SBP response/lowering effect in the elderly. This in part could be due to the fact that the elderly generally respond well to hydrochlorothiazide. In summary, the data showed that the benefits of telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide appear to be additive and the blood pressure reduction of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide was larger than the blood pressure reduction achieved by either monotherapy component.

Non-melanoma skin cancer.

Based on available data from epidemiological studies, cumulative dose dependent association between hydrochlorothiazide and NMSC has been observed. One study included a population comprised of 71,553 cases of BCC and of 8,629 cases of SCC matched to 1,430,883 and 172,462 population controls, respectively. High hydrochlorothiazide use (≥ 50,000 mg cumulative) was associated with an adjusted OR of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.23-1.35) for BCC and 3.98 (95% CI: 3.68-4.31) for SCC. A clear cumulative dose response relationship was observed for both BCC and SCC. Another study showed a possible association between lip cancer (SCC) and exposure to hydrochlorothiazide: 633 cases of lip-cancer were matched with 63,067 population controls, using a risk-set sampling strategy. A cumulative dose-response relationship was demonstrated with an adjusted OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.7-2.6) increasing to OR 3.9 (3.0-4.9) for high use (~25,000 mg) and OR 7.7 (5.7-10.5) for the highest cumulative dose (~100,000 mg) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Absorption.

Following oral administration of the fixed dose combination tablets, the tmax values for telmisartan vary from 0.5 to 4 hours. Absolute bioavailability of telmisartan was shown to be dose dependent. The mean absolute bioavailability of 40 mg telmisartan was 40%, whereas the mean absolute bioavailability of the 160 mg dose amounted to about 60%.
The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and, to a smaller extent, area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) increase disproportionately with dose. In a Phase II clinical trial, 40, 80 and 120 mg of telmisartan were administered (in capsules) for 28 days to hypertensive subjects. Maximum plasma concentrations at steady state, Cmax,ss, and AUCss were determined in 37-39 subjects per dose group.
In this trial, the mean Cmax showed a more-than-proportional increase with dose, increasing 4.4 fold for a 2-fold increase in dose from 40 to 80 mg, and increasing 2.4 fold with a 1.5 fold increase in dose from 80 to 120 mg. The mean AUCss were nearly proportional with increasing dose, increasing 2.3 fold for a 2-fold increase in dose from 40 to 80 mg, and increasing 1.5 fold with a 1.5 fold increase in dose from 80 to 120 mg.
There is no evidence of clinically relevant accumulation of telmisartan taken at the recommended dose.
When telmisartan is taken with food, the reduction in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-α) of telmisartan varies from approximately 6% (40 mg dose) to approximately 19% (160 mg dose). The small reduction in AUC should not cause a reduction in the therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, Telmisartan HCT GH may be taken with or without food.
Following oral administration of hydrochlorothiazide peak concentrations of hydrochlorothiazide are reached in approximately 1.0 to 2.5 hours after dosing. The absolute oral bioavailability for hydrochlorothiazide is documented as 50 to 80%.

Distribution.

Telmisartan is highly bound to plasma protein (> 99.5%), mainly albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. The mean steady state apparent volume of distribution (Vdss) is approximately 6.6 L/kg.
Hydrochlorothiazide is 68% protein bound in the plasma and its apparent volume of distribution is 0.83 to 1.14 L/kg.

Metabolism.

Telmisartan undergoes substantial first-pass metabolism by conjugation to the acylglucuronide. No pharmacological activity has been shown for the conjugate. Telmisartan is not metabolised by the cytochrome P450 system.
Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolised in man.

Excretion.

Telmisartan is characterised by bi-exponential decay pharmacokinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of 18.3 to 23.0 hours.
After oral (and intravenous) administration telmisartan is nearly exclusively excreted with the faeces, mainly as unchanged compound. Cumulative urinary excretion is < 1% of dose. Total plasma clearance (CLtot) is high (approximately 1000 mL/min) when compared with hepatic blood flow (about 1500 mL/min).
Hydrochlorothiazide is excreted almost entirely as unchanged drug in urine. At least 61% of the oral dose is eliminated as unchanged drug within 24 hours. Renal clearance is about 250 to 300 mL/min. The terminal elimination half-life of hydrochlorothiazide is 8-10 hours.

Special populations.

Elderly patients.

The pharmacokinetics of telmisartan does not differ between younger and elderly patients (i.e. patients older than 65 years of age). Patients aged 65 years and older should be prescribed Telmisartan HCT GH with caution due to increased risk of renal impairment.

Patients with renal impairment.

Renal excretion does not contribute to the clearance of telmisartan. Based on modest experience in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance of 30 to 60 mL/min, mean about 50 mL/min) no dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with decreased renal function. Telmisartan is not removed from blood by haemodialysis. In patients with impaired renal function the rate of hydrochlorothiazide elimination is reduced. In a typical study in patients with a mean creatinine clearance of 60 mL/min the elimination half-life of hydrochlorothiazide was increased. In functionally anephric patients the elimination half-life is about 34 hours.

Patients with hepatic impairment.

Pharmacokinetic studies of telmisartan in patients with hepatic impairment showed an increase in absolute bioavailability up to nearly 100%. The elimination half-life is not changed in patients with hepatic impairment.

Gender.

Plasma concentrations of telmisartan are generally 2 to 3 times higher in females than in males. In clinical trials, however, no clinically significant increases in blood pressure response or incidences of orthostatic hypotension were found in females. No dosage adjustment is necessary. There was a trend towards higher plasma concentrations of hydrochlorothiazide in females than in males. This is not considered to be of clinical relevance.

Children.

Pharmacokinetic studies of telmisartan have not been investigated in patients less than 18 years of age.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

The genotoxic potential of telmisartan in combination with hydrochlorothiazide has not been evaluated in animal studies.

Telmisartan.

Telmisartan was not genotoxic in a battery of tests for gene mutations and clastogenicity.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

Hydrochlorothiazide was not genotoxic in a gene mutation assay in bacterial cells, or in tests for clastogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. However, hydrochlorothiazide had mutagenic activity in a mammalian cell assay (mouse lymphoma cells) and caused an increase in chromosomal aberrations in vitro (Chinese hamster lung cells). Hydrochlorothiazide also had a genotoxic activity in the sister chromatid exchange assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells and a nondisjunction assay in Aspergillus nidulans. However, the extensive human experience with hydrochlorothiazide has failed to show an association between its use and an increase in neoplasms.

Carcinogenicity.

The carcinogenic potential of telmisartan in combination with hydrochlorothiazide has not been evaluated in animal studies.

Telmisartan.

Two-year studies in mice and rats did not show any increases in tumour incidences when telmisartan was administered in the diet at doses up to 1000 and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively. Plasma AUC values at the highest dose levels were approximately 60 and 15 times greater, respectively, than those anticipated in humans at the maximum recommended dose.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

Two-year feeding studies in mice and rats showed no evidence of carcinogenic potential in female mice at doses up to approximately 600 mg/kg/day, or in male and female rats at doses up to approximately 100 mg/kg/day. However, there was equivocal evidence for hepatocarcinogenicity in male mice treated with hydrochlorothiazide alone at approximately 600 mg/kg/day.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

The excipients in each tablet are povidone, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, meglumine, sodium hydroxide, sodium stearylfumarate, purified water and mannitol. Telmisartan HCT GH 40/12.5 mg and 80/12.5 mg tablets also contain Pigment Blend PB-24880 Pink and Telmisartan HCT GH 80/25 mg tablets also contain Pigment Blend PB-52290 Yellow, as colouring agent.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 25°C. Protect from light and moisture.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Telmisartan HCT GH tablets are available in Al/Al blister packs containing 28 tablets.
Telmisartan HCT GH tablets should not be removed from their foil pack until required for administration.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Telmisartan is a specific angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist. Telmisartan is an off-white to yellowish crystalline powder. It is practically insoluble in water, very slightly soluble in ethanol, slightly soluble in methanol and soluble in a mixture of chloroform and methanol (1:1).
Hydrochlorothiazide is a benzothiadiazine (thiazide) diuretic. Hydrochlorothiazide is a white, or practically white, odourless crystalline powder. It is very slightly soluble in water, and freely soluble in sodium hydroxide solution.

Chemical structure.

Telmisartan.


Chemical Name: 4'-[(1,4'-dimethyl-2'-propyl[2,6'-bi-1H-benzimidazol]-1'-yl)-methyl]-[1,1'- biphenyl]-2- carboxylic acid (IUPAC nomenclature).
Molecular Formula: C33H30N4O2.
Molecular Weight: 514.6.

Hydrochlorothiazide.


Chemical Name: 6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulfonamide 1,1-dioxide.
Molecular Formula: C7H8ClN3O4S2.
Molecular Weight: 297.73.

CAS number.

Telmisartan: 144701-48-4.
Hydrochlorothiazide: 58-93-5.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

(S4) Prescription Only Medicine.

Summary Table of Changes