PRESCRIPTION NOTICE: Micardis 80 mg is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM). It cannot legally be dispensed without a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider in Kenya. Do not use this medicine without medical supervision. Do not share this medicine with others even if they appear to have the same condition.

Micardis 80 mg Tablets are a prescription-only angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) containing telmisartan as the active ingredient, manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. Each pack contains 28 film-coated tablets providing a four-week supply at standard once-daily dosing. Telmisartan is widely recognised as one of the most pharmacologically distinctive ARBs available, possessing the longest duration of action among all ARBs — providing genuine 24-hour blood pressure control from a single daily dose — and a unique partial agonist activity at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) that confers additional metabolic benefits beyond blood pressure lowering alone.

Micardis 80 mg represents the standard therapeutic dose for hypertension management and is also indicated for the reduction of cardiovascular morbidity in high-risk patients — a dual indication that distinguishes telmisartan from several other ARBs and reflects its robust evidence base from the landmark ONTARGET and TRANSCEND clinical trials. If you have been prescribed Micardis 80 mg for hypertension treatment in Kenya or cardiovascular risk reduction, this medicine must be taken strictly as directed by your healthcare provider. The price of Micardis 80 mg in Kenya varies by pharmacy and is dispensed only on presentation of a valid prescription.

Key Benefits

Longest duration of action among all ARBs — telmisartan’s half-life of approximately 24 hours provides the most complete and consistent 24-hour blood pressure coverage of any ARB, with minimal end-of-dose blood pressure escape
Superior trough-to-peak ratio — maintains blood pressure control throughout the full dosing interval, including the critical early morning surge period when cardiovascular events are most common
Unique PPARγ partial agonist activity — confers insulin-sensitising and metabolic benefits, particularly relevant in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, or type 2 diabetes
Renal and cardiovascular protective benefits — ARB-class RAAS blockade reduces proteinuria, slows progression of diabetic nephropathy, and provides cardiovascular organ protection
Indicated for cardiovascular risk reduction — one of the few ARBs with a dedicated indication for reducing cardiovascular morbidity in high-risk patients not tolerating ACE inhibitors
No ACE inhibitor-associated dry cough — telmisartan does not inhibit bradykinin degradation, making it an ideal alternative for patients intolerant of ACE inhibitors such as enalapril
Hepatically eliminated — no dose adjustment required in mild to moderate renal impairment, unlike many renally excreted antihypertensives
Once-daily dosing — supports long-term treatment adherence
Well-established safety profile supported by landmark global clinical trials including ONTARGET and TRANSCEND

What It Is & How It Works

Active Ingredient

Each film-coated tablet contains:

Active Ingredient	Strength	Role
Telmisartan	80 mg	Long-acting selective AT1 receptor antagonist (ARB) with additional PPARγ partial agonist activity

How It Works

Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Blockade — Primary Mechanism

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is the principal hormonal regulator of blood pressure and fluid balance. In hypertensive patients, excessive RAAS activation drives sustained vasoconstriction, sodium and water retention, and cardiac and vascular remodelling — all of which contribute to elevated blood pressure and end-organ damage.

Telmisartan is a highly selective, non-competitive antagonist of the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor — the receptor through which virtually all of angiotensin II’s pathological effects are mediated. By binding with exceptionally high affinity and selectivity to AT1 receptors — and dissociating from them very slowly — telmisartan:

Blocks angiotensin II-mediated vasoconstriction of arterial smooth muscle, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and systemic blood pressure
Inhibits angiotensin II-stimulated aldosterone secretion from the adrenal cortex, reducing sodium and water retention and intravascular volume
Prevents angiotensin II-driven cardiac hypertrophy and vascular smooth muscle proliferation — key processes in hypertensive end-organ damage
Reduces intraglomerular pressure in the kidneys by blocking angiotensin II-mediated efferent arteriolar constriction — providing nephroprotective benefits in hypertensive and diabetic kidney disease
Does not block the angiotensin II type 2 (AT2) receptor — AT2 receptor stimulation by the resulting elevated angiotensin II levels produces vasodilatory and antiproliferative effects that may augment the AT1 blockade benefit

Why Telmisartan Has the Longest Duration of Action Among ARBs

Telmisartan’s uniquely long half-life (approximately 20–24 hours) is attributable to its exceptionally high lipophilicity and large volume of distribution, enabling deep tissue penetration and sustained receptor occupancy. Its non-competitive (insurmountable) binding at the AT1 receptor — in contrast to the competitive (surmountable) binding of losartan — means that even rising endogenous angiotensin II levels cannot displace telmisartan from its receptor, ensuring consistently maintained AT1 blockade throughout the 24-hour dosing interval. This pharmacological profile directly translates into superior control of the early morning blood pressure surge — the period of highest cardiovascular event risk.

PPARγ Partial Agonist Activity — Secondary Mechanism

Uniquely among ARBs, telmisartan acts as a partial agonist at peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) — a nuclear receptor that regulates genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. This activity produces:

Improved insulin sensitivity — reducing insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
Favourable effects on lipid metabolism — modest reductions in triglycerides and free fatty acids
Anti-inflammatory effects in adipose tissue — reducing adipokine-driven metabolic inflammation
Potential attenuation of the metabolic side effects (hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia) associated with thiazide diuretics when used in combination

This PPARγ activity is clinically relevant in the large proportion of hypertensive patients in Kenya who have concurrent metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, or type 2 diabetes — conditions that are rapidly increasing in prevalence.

Classification

Micardis 80 mg is classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in Kenya. It must only be initiated, monitored, and adjusted by a licensed healthcare provider. A valid prescription is required for dispensing at any registered pharmacy in Kenya.

Formulation

Film-coated tablets. Each pack contains 28 tablets. Tablets should be swallowed whole with water, with or without food, at the same time each day.

Uses & Indications

Micardis 80 mg Tablets are indicated for:

Essential hypertension (primary high blood pressure) — in adults requiring 80 mg telmisartan for adequate blood pressure control, either as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents
Reduction of cardiovascular morbidity — in adult patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (history of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, or stroke) or type 2 diabetes with documented target organ damage, who are intolerant of ACE inhibitors
Hypertension with concurrent diabetes or metabolic syndrome — telmisartan’s PPARγ activity provides additional metabolic benefits in this important patient subgroup
As an ACE inhibitor substitute — in patients who develop ACE inhibitor-induced persistent dry cough (a common and disabling side effect of medicines such as enalapril) or ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema

IMPORTANT: The decision to initiate, adjust, or discontinue Micardis therapy must be made exclusively by a licensed healthcare provider. Do not self-prescribe or alter your dose without medical advice. Telmisartan — like all ARBs — must never be used during pregnancy due to the risk of serious and potentially fatal fetal harm.

Dosage & Administration

This medicine requires a valid prescription. Use only as prescribed by your healthcare provider. The following dosage information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute prescribing advice.

Indication	Starting Dose	Usual Maintenance Dose	Maximum Daily Dose
Hypertension	As directed	As directed	As directed
Cardiovascular risk reduction	As directed	As directed	As directed
Elderly patients (65+ years)	As directed	As directed	As directed
Mild to moderate renal impairment	As directed	As directed	As directed
Severe renal impairment	As directed	As directed	As directed
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment	As directed	As directed	As directed
Severe hepatic impairment	As directed	Not applicable	Not applicable
Paediatric patients (under 18 years)	Not recommended — safety and efficacy not established	Not applicable	Not applicable

Administration Instructions

Take this medicine exactly as prescribed — do not increase, decrease, or skip doses without medical advice
Take once daily at the same time each day — consistent timing maximises 24-hour blood pressure coverage
May be taken with or without food — food does not significantly affect the absorption of telmisartan
Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water — do not crush, chew, or split
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor — abrupt discontinuation may result in rebound blood pressure elevation
If a dose is missed, take it as soon as you remember on the same day — if the next day has begun, skip the missed dose and continue as normal; do not double dose
Ensure adequate hydration — particularly in hot weather, during physical activity, or if experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea — to reduce the risk of excessive blood pressure lowering
Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments for blood pressure monitoring, renal function, and serum electrolyte checks — particularly potassium monitoring

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, Micardis 80 mg may cause side effects in some patients. These are generally mild and uncommon. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.

Common

Dizziness or light-headedness — particularly upon standing; rise slowly from sitting or lying positions; orthostatic hypotension is most common after the first dose or following dose increases
Headache
Fatigue or weakness
Hyperkalaemia (elevated serum potassium) — ARBs reduce aldosterone-mediated potassium excretion; particularly significant in patients with renal impairment or those taking potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics; regular potassium monitoring is essential
Upper respiratory tract infections — sinusitis, pharyngitis

Less Common

Hypotension (low blood pressure) — particularly in volume-depleted patients or those on concurrent diuretics; may cause dizziness, fainting, or falls
Back pain or musculoskeletal pain
Elevated creatinine or blood urea nitrogen — a modest rise in serum creatinine on initiation of ARB therapy is expected due to reduced intraglomerular pressure; significant or progressive rises warrant medical review
Diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort
Anaemia — mild reduction in haemoglobin and haematocrit reported in clinical trials
Elevated liver enzymes — rare; monitor in patients with pre-existing hepatic impairment

WARNING: Rare but serious — seek immediate medical attention if you experience: angioedema (sudden swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat — although less common with ARBs than ACE inhibitors, telmisartan-induced angioedema has been reported and is a potentially life-threatening emergency), severe hypotension causing loss of consciousness (particularly after first dose in volume-depleted patients), acute kidney injury (significant reduction in urine output or rapidly rising creatinine — particularly in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis), severe hyperkalaemia (muscle weakness, paralysis, or cardiac arrhythmias), or severe hepatic reactions (jaundice, severe abdominal pain, dark urine).

This is not a complete list of side effects. Report all side effects to your healthcare provider.

Warnings & Precautions

CONTRAINDICATION: Do NOT use Micardis 80 mg if you are pregnant, have severe hepatic impairment, have biliary obstructive disorders, or have known hypersensitivity to telmisartan or any excipient in this formulation. Do NOT use in combination with aliskiren in patients with diabetes or renal impairment.

Do Not Use If You:

Are pregnant — telmisartan causes serious fetal harm including renal dysplasia, oligohydramnios, fetal limb contractures, neonatal renal failure, and fetal death; ARBs are absolutely contraindicated throughout pregnancy
Are breastfeeding — telmisartan passes into breast milk; use is not recommended during breastfeeding
Have severe hepatic impairment or biliary obstructive disorders — telmisartan is almost exclusively eliminated via biliary excretion; severe hepatic impairment results in dramatically elevated plasma levels
Have known hypersensitivity to telmisartan or any excipient

Use With Caution If You Have:

Renal artery stenosis (bilateral or to a single functioning kidney) — ARBs can precipitate acute kidney injury in this setting; use under specialist supervision with close renal function monitoring
Volume or sodium depletion — risk of profound first-dose hypotension; correct dehydration before initiating therapy
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment — use with caution at a reduced dose of 40 mg maximum; monitor liver function
Severe renal impairment — limited clinical data; use with caution and monitor renal function and electrolytes closely
Primary hyperaldosteronism — ARBs are generally less effective in this setting
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy or significant aortic or mitral valve stenosis — risk of severe hypotension
Diabetes mellitus — monitor potassium levels closely as telmisartan and diabetes both predispose to hyperkalaemia
Heart failure — use under specialist supervision; monitor renal function and electrolytes closely during initiation

Do Not Combine With (Selected Key Interactions — Consult Pharmacist for Full Review):

Other RAAS blockers (ACE inhibitors, aliskiren) — dual RAAS blockade significantly increases the risk of hypotension, hyperkalaemia, and acute renal failure without added cardiovascular benefit; the ONTARGET trial demonstrated no additional benefit but increased harm from telmisartan plus ramipril combination; avoid
Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride, eplerenone) or potassium supplements — additive hyperkalaemia risk; monitor serum potassium closely
Lithium — telmisartan may reduce renal lithium excretion, increasing lithium plasma levels and toxicity risk; monitor lithium levels closely or avoid combination
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin) — reduce the antihypertensive efficacy of telmisartan and increase the risk of acute kidney injury, particularly in volume-depleted patients; the ARB-diuretic-NSAID triple combination is especially dangerous
Digoxin — telmisartan increases digoxin peak and trough plasma concentrations; monitor digoxin levels at initiation and with dose changes
Ramipril — the ONTARGET trial demonstrated that combining telmisartan with ramipril provided no additional cardiovascular benefit but significantly increased adverse effects including hypotension, renal impairment, and hyperkalaemia; this combination should be avoided
Antidiabetic agents — telmisartan’s PPARγ activity may enhance insulin sensitivity; monitor blood glucose and adjust antidiabetic therapy if necessary to avoid hypoglycaemia
Other antihypertensive agents — additive hypotensive effects; monitor blood pressure closely

CLINICAL NOTE (Kenya-specific): Telmisartan (Micardis) offers several clinically relevant advantages in the Kenyan hypertensive population. Its superior 24-hour blood pressure coverage — including control of the critical early morning blood pressure surge — is particularly important given the high rates of hypertension-related stroke and myocardial infarction in Kenya, where early morning physical activity in agricultural and manual labour occupations places patients at heightened cardiovascular risk. Telmisartan’s PPARγ activity and metabolic benefits are highly relevant in Kenya’s rapidly evolving epidemiological landscape, where hypertension increasingly co-exists with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome driven by urbanisation and dietary changes. The absence of ACE inhibitor-induced cough — a side effect that carries a significantly higher incidence in Black African patients and that is one of the most common reasons for antihypertensive non-adherence in Kenya — makes telmisartan a particularly well-tolerated first-choice ARB in Kenyan patients. Clinicians should note that telmisartan’s predominantly biliary elimination makes it a preferred ARB in patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease — a growing comorbidity in Kenya — as it does not require renal dose adjustment in this population, unlike renally excreted antihypertensives.

Keep out of reach of children. Store all medicines safely and securely.

Storage Instructions

Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place
Protect from direct sunlight, moisture, and excessive heat
Keep tablets in their original blister packaging — telmisartan tablets are moisture-sensitive
Do not remove tablets from the blister until immediately before use
Store out of reach and sight of children
Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging
Do not transfer tablets to another container
Dispose of unused or expired tablets safely at your local registered pharmacy — do not flush down the toilet or discard in household waste

Mandatory Disclaimer

This medicine requires a valid prescription. Do not use without medical advice. Micardis 80 mg (Telmisartan) is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) that must be initiated, monitored, and adjusted exclusively by a licensed healthcare provider. Do not self-prescribe, purchase without a valid prescription, share this medicine with others, or stop treatment without consulting your doctor. Telmisartan is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy — women of childbearing potential should use effective contraception during treatment and inform their doctor immediately if they become pregnant. Regular medical follow-up including blood pressure monitoring, renal function tests, and serum electrolyte checks is a non-negotiable component of safe and effective Micardis therapy. This product information is provided for general educational reference only and does not constitute medical advice or replace the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.

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