Micardis Plus Side Effects

The American Heart Association reports that one out of every three adults in the U.S. has hypertension or high blood pressure. Though in many cases the specific cause of hypertension is unknown, there are a number of drugs available to help lower blood pressure levels. One such drug is Micardis Plus, also called Micardis HCT. Despite its effectiveness, it is not for everyone, as it presents several risks of complications in some patients.

Common Side Effects

• Approximately 8 percent of Micardis Plus users report an increased incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, making these the most common side effects of the drug. Dizziness and sinus infections are also common, occurring in at least 4 percent of users. Around 3 percent of people who take it experience fatigue and diarrhea.

Other Side Effects

• Micardis Plus also has the potential to cause a number of other troublesome but not dangerous side effects. Some patients experience gastrointestinal side effects from the drug, such as nausea, gas, hemorrhoids, dry mouth, stomach flu, vomiting, irritation of the stomach lining and acid reflux. Nervous system and psychiatric effects like impotence, increased sweating, anxiety, depression and nervousness, as well as a general feeling of malaise, are also possible while taking Micardis Plus.

Drug Interactions

• There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Micardis Plus. Because the drug decreases your blood pressure level, you should be careful not to mix it with other drugs that lower blood pressure, as this could lead to a serious case of hypotension. Examples of drugs to avoid include narcotics, sleeping pills and sedatives, antiepileptic drugs and anti-anxiety medications.

  Micardis Plus can cause a decrease in potassium levels in your blood stream when combined with corticosteroid drugs. Over time, this can lead to a condition called hypokalemia, which can affect the function of your heart and nerves. In addition, combining lithium and Micardis Plus poses a risk for a toxic build up of lithium in your body.

Risks

• In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Micardis Plus has the potential to cause serious medical complications. Serious cardiovascular side effects occur in rare instance, including the retention of fluid under the skin and dangerously rapid heart beat. Micardis Plus also increases blood sugar levels, triggering the development of Type 2 diabetes in patients at risk for the disease. Other possible serious side effects include elevated cholesterol levels, asthma, abnormal vision, arthritis and gout.

Considerations

• Micardis Plus can cause low birth weights and fetal death and should be avoided during pregnancy. In addition, it is not used in children. If you have impaired liver function due to illness or disease, you should not take the drug due to the increased risk of liver failure. Patients with lupus often experience an increase in symptoms of their disorder while taking Micardis Plus.