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Introduction About ARBITEL 20 TABLET
ARBITEL 20 TABLET is used to manage essential hypertension. It contains Telmisartan which belongs to the group of medicines called Angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It is also used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in adults who are known to have a reduced or blocked blood supply to the heart or legs and had a stroke or with a high risk of diabetes. ARBITEL 20 TABLET makes blood vessels to relax and thus lowers the blood pressure by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II (substance produced in your body which causes narrowing of blood vessels).
Your doctor may check the kidney function test, blood pressure and the amount of electrolytes (Ex. potassium) in body prior to the management or at regular intervals during management with this medicine. ARBITEL 20 TABLET is not recommended for use in patients having severe liver problems such as cholestasis or biliary obstruction (flow of bile from liver stops or slows). ARBITEL 20 TABLET should be used with caution in patients having diabetes, kidney disease, heart problems and raised aldosterone levels.
ARBITEL 20 TABLET is not recommended for use in early pregnancy and must not be taken by women who are pregnant for more than 3 months and it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. ARBITEL 20 TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (up to the age of 18 years) and it should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above). The most common side effect of taking ARBITEL 20 TABLET is low blood pressure. Consult your doctor if the side effects worsen or persists for a longer period.
Uses Of ARBITEL 20 TABLET
It is used to:
- manage essential hypertension (high blood pressure)
- reduce the risk of cardiovascular events (such as stroke and heart attack)
How ARBITEL 20 TABLET Works
ARBITEL 20 TABLET makes blood vessels to relax and thus lowers the blood pressure by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II (substance produced in your body which causes narrowing of blood vessels).
How to use ARBITEL 20 TABLET
- Take ARBITEL 20 TABLET as advised by your physician
- Swallow this medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine
- Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of ARBITEL 20 TABLET for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition
Side Effects Of ARBITEL 20 TABLET
Common side effects of ARBITEL 20 TABLET:
- low blood pressure
- urinary tract infection
- signs of upper respiratory tract infection (sore throat, inflamed sinuses, common cold)
- anemia, weakness, feeling of spinning (vertigo)
- insomnia
- slow heart rate, chest pain
- dizziness on standing up (orthostatic hypotension)
- cough
- shortness of breath
- abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, bloating
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- increased sweating
- muscle cramps, muscle or back pain
Stop taking ARBITEL 20 TABLET and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- angioedema (rapid swelling of the skin and mucosa)
Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy
ContraindicatedARBITEL 20 TABLET is not recommended in early pregnancy and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to the baby if used after 3 months of pregnancy.

Breastfeeding
ContraindicatedARBITEL 20 TABLET is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. Your doctor may choose another management especially if you want to breast-feed when your baby is new-born or born prematurely.

Driving and Using Machines
Use with CautionDo not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy or tired after taking ARBITEL 20 TABLET.

Alcohol
Consult your doctorAvoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure.

Kidney
Use with CautionARBITEL 20 TABLET should be taken with caution in patients with kidney disease, kidney artery stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels to one or both the kidneys) and with a history of kidney transplant.

Liver
Consult your doctorARBITEL 20 TABLET is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver problems such as cholestasis or biliary obstruction (flow of bile from liver stops or slows). ARBITEL 20 TABLET should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases.

Allergy
ContraindicatedDo not take ARBITEL 20 TABLET if you are allergic to Telmisartan or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Heart Disease
Use with CautionARBITEL 20 TABLET should be taken with caution in patients having heart trouble or low blood pressure (due to dehydration problems, low-salt intake, diarrhoea or vomiting).

Use In Pediatrics
ContraindicatedARBITEL 20 TABLET is not recommended for use in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age).

Use In Geriatrics
Use with CautionARBITEL 20 TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years and above).
Others
Before taking ARBITEL 20 TABLET, inform your doctor if you have:
- high potassium levels in the body
- raised aldosterone levels (water and salt retention in the body along with imbalance of various blood minerals)
- diabetes
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking ARBITEL 20 TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (Ex. enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril)
- Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (Ex. candesartan, irbesartan)
- Cardiac glycosides (Ex. Digoxin)
- Anti-maniac agents (Ex. Lithium)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (Ex. aspirin, ibuprofen)
- Anti-coagulant (Ex. Heparin)
- Immunosuppressive agents (Ex. ciclosporin or tacrolimus)
- Antibiotics (Ex. trimethoprim)
- Diuretics (Ex. furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
- Potassium-sparing diuretics (Ex. amiloride, spironolactone)
- Corticosteroids (Ex. dexamethasone, hydrocortisone)
- Skeletal muscle relaxants (Ex. Baclofen)
- Cytoprotectants (Ex. Amifostine)
- Barbiturates (Ex. phenobarbital, pentobarbital)
- Antidepressants (Ex. citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine)
- Narcotics (Ex. morphine and codeine)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of ARBITEL 20 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. The most common symptoms of overdose are low blood pressure, fast or slow heartbeat, dizziness, elevated levels of creatinine and sudden kidney failure.
Synopsis
Drug | : | Telmisartan |
Pharmacological Category | : | Angiotensin receptor blockers |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Essential hypertension, management of heart attack and stroke |
Dosage Forms | : | Tablet |
FAQs About ARBITEL 20 TABLET
Q: What is ARBITEL 20 TABLET used for?
A: ARBITEL 20 TABLET (telmisartan) is primarily used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension). It helps reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney problems caused by long-term high blood pressure.
Q: Is ARBITEL 20 TABLET safe for kidneys?
A: Yes, ARBITEL 20 TABLET is generally beneficial for kidneys, particularly in patients with hypertension and diabetes. By lowering blood pressure, it reduces kidney strain. However, in some cases, this medicine may cause a slight increase in creatinine levels or affect kidney function, especially in individuals with pre-existing kidney disease. Regular monitoring of kidney function is advised during treatment.
Q: Can I take ARBITEL 20 TABLET twice a day?
A: ARBITEL 20 TABLET is usually prescribed once daily. However, in cases of severe hypertension, your doctor might increase the dose to 80 mg daily or divide the dose (e.g., 40 mg twice daily). Do not adjust the dose without consulting your doctor.
Q: When to take telmisartan, morning or night?
A: ARBITEL 20 TABLET can be taken in the morning or night, depending on your doctor’s recommendation. However, taking it at the same time daily ensures consistent blood pressure control. Some studies suggest that taking blood pressure medication at night may provide better cardiovascular protection.
Q: How much BP is reduced by ARBITEL 20 TABLET?
A: The blood pressure reduction depends on factors like the individual’s baseline BP, dose, and responsiveness to the medication. On average, this medicine can reduce Systolic BP 10-20 mmHg and diastolic BP is reduced by 5-10 mmHg. The full effect of ARBITEL 20 TABLET is seen after 4-6 weeks of consistent use.
Q: When is the best time to take ARBITEL 20 TABLET?
A: The best time is usually once daily, at the same time every day, either morning or evening. Taking it after a meal can reduce the chance of an upset stomach.
Q: Does ARBITEL 20 TABLET increase creatinine?
A: ARBITEL 20 TABLET can cause a mild increase in serum creatinine levels in some patients. This is usually not harmful and occurs because the medication reduces the filtration pressure in the kidneys. However, a significant or persistent increase may indicate kidney problems and requires medical attention.
Q: What foods should I avoid when taking telmisartan?
A: Following of the foods should be avoided while taking this medicine,
Potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, oranges, spinach, potatoes): Telma can raise potassium levels, and excessive potassium intake may lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels), Salt substitutes containing potassium and High-sodium foods: These can counteract the blood pressure-lowering effects. A low-sodium, balanced diet is recommended.
Q: What is the difference between telmisartan and ARBITEL 20 TABLET?
A: Telmisartan is the generic name of the drug, while ARBITEL 20 TABLET is a brand name manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals. Both refer to the same medication but may differ in price or additional inactive ingredients.
Q: Does telmisartan raise cholesterol?
A: No, telmisartan does not raise cholesterol. In fact, some studies suggest that it may have a mild lipid-lowering effect by reducing triglycerides and improving HDL (good cholesterol).
Q: What are the three main causes of high blood pressure?
A: Generally, hypertension is caused due to unhealthy lifestyle habits like high salt intake, poor diet, and excess alcohol, lack of physical activity, smoking or tobacco use, Chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or sleep apnea that can increase blood pressure or hormonal imbalances (e.g., due to thyroid disorders or adrenal gland issues), genetic and age-related factors like family history of hypertension increases risk or aging that causes stiffening of blood vessels, leading to higher blood pressure. A combination of lifestyle changes and medications like ARBITEL 20 TABLET is often required to manage hypertension effectively.
References
1. KD. Tripathi. Drugs Affecting Renin Angiotensin System. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 535-538.
2. Philippe Gosse. A Review of Telmisartan in the Treatment of Hypertension: Blood Pressure Control in the Early Morning Hours. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubMed Central. September 2006. [Accessed on 7th May 2022] click here
3. A Prem Kumar, Anirudra Ghorai, Vasudev Kriplani, Rabindra Kumar Dash, J Aravinda, Paramesh Shamanna, TK Sabeer, Abdul Hannan, and Santosh Revankar. Clinical data analysis of telmisartan for hypertension management in Indian population. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubMed Central June 2021. [Accessed on 7th May 2022] click here
4. Accord Healthcare Ireland Limited. Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). [Revised in July 2021] [Accessed on 7th May 2022] click here
5. Hetero Labs Limited. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in August 2015] [Accessed 7th May 2022] click here