TELMISARTAN

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Telmisartan Adverse Events: High Serious Reaction Rate

72,751 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About TELMISARTAN

TELMISARTAN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Based on analysis of 72,751 FDA adverse event reports, TELMISARTAN has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for TELMISARTAN include NAUSEA, FATIGUE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, DIARRHOEA, DYSPNOEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for TELMISARTAN.

AI Safety Analysis

Telmisartan has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 72,751 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Nausea, Fatigue, Drug Ineffective. Of classified reports, 82.9% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Nausea, fatigue, and dizziness are the most common adverse events reported.

Serious reactions, such as pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and sepsis, are frequent. Drug interactions and off-label use are reported, warranting caution.

Patients taking Telmisartan should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Telmisartan can interact with other drugs, and its use in unapproved indications is noted. Close monitoring is advised. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Telmisartan received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 82.9% serious event ratio across 33,605 classified reports. The score accounts for 72,751 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

NAUSEA2,058 reports
FATIGUE2,001 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,884 reports
DIARRHOEA1,794 reports
DYSPNOEA1,784 reports
HEADACHE1,715 reports
DIZZINESS1,682 reports
FALL1,592 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED1,509 reports
HYPERTENSION1,460 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,428 reports
MALAISE1,424 reports
ASTHENIA1,407 reports
OFF LABEL USE1,396 reports
VOMITING1,353 reports
PAIN1,310 reports
COUGH1,234 reports
PNEUMONIA1,184 reports
PYREXIA1,180 reports
PRURITUS1,051 reports
HYPOTENSION939 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY936 reports
DECREASED APPETITE871 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN848 reports
INSOMNIA838 reports
RASH826 reports
DRUG INTERACTION825 reports
MYALGIA801 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY776 reports
ANAEMIA769 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED730 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS689 reports
BACK PAIN676 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED675 reports
ANXIETY671 reports
DEATH658 reports
ARTHRITIS639 reports
SYNCOPE630 reports
RENAL FAILURE621 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE615 reports
SOMNOLENCE614 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL596 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER582 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA570 reports
CHEST PAIN559 reports
DEPRESSION554 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE552 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING546 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED544 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT539 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS539 reports
CONSTIPATION534 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION534 reports
JOINT SWELLING531 reports
DEHYDRATION523 reports
SEPSIS522 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS518 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT513 reports
ASTHMA512 reports
PALPITATIONS508 reports
CHILLS488 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE485 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE476 reports
TACHYCARDIA476 reports
VISION BLURRED473 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT472 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION471 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS465 reports
PSORIASIS465 reports
ERYTHEMA459 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION452 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS449 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED443 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL442 reports
ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS436 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED434 reports
SINUSITIS432 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE429 reports
INFLUENZA420 reports
INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE408 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE DECREASED402 reports
HYPERKALAEMIA401 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA401 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE SYSTOLIC INCREASED390 reports
HAEMATURIA378 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED374 reports
DYSPHAGIA374 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS370 reports
BRADYCARDIA367 reports
PARAESTHESIA364 reports
EYE PAIN363 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED356 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED354 reports
ALOPECIA351 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY350 reports
CATARACT344 reports
HYPOGLYCAEMIA344 reports
COVID 19343 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION342 reports
TINNITUS339 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High frequency of serious reactions (82.9%)
  • Multiple cardiovascular and renal adverse events reported
  • Significant number of reports involving respiratory issues

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 17,157, Male: 13,711, Unknown: 45. The most frequently reported age groups are age 65 (825 reports), age 75 (792 reports), age 68 (737 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 33,605 classified reports for TELMISARTAN:

  • Serious: 27,867 reports (82.9%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 5,738 reports (17.1%)
Serious 82.9%Non-Serious 17.1%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female17,157 (55.5%)
Male13,711 (44.4%)
Unknown45 (0.1%)

Reports by Age

Age 65825 reports
Age 75792 reports
Age 68737 reports
Age 69732 reports
Age 73719 reports
Age 77718 reports
Age 78702 reports
Age 74694 reports
Age 70683 reports
Age 71669 reports
Age 76663 reports
Age 80656 reports
Age 72652 reports
Age 66651 reports
Age 62615 reports
Age 79601 reports
Age 63592 reports
Age 67591 reports
Age 64583 reports
Age 60580 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Telmisartan can interact with other drugs, and its use in unapproved indications is noted. Close monitoring is advised.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Telmisartan, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, fatigue, drug ineffective, diarrhoea, dyspnoea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor patients for signs of serious adverse events, especially respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Be cautious when using telmisartan in unapproved indications. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with a focus on monitoring serious adverse events and drug interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Telmisartan?

The FDA has received approximately 72,751 adverse event reports associated with Telmisartan. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Telmisartan?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Telmisartan include Nausea, Fatigue, Drug Ineffective, Diarrhoea, Dyspnoea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Nausea (2,058 reports), Fatigue (2,001 reports), Drug Ineffective (1,884 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Telmisartan.

What percentage of Telmisartan adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 33,605 classified reports, 27,867 (82.9%) were classified as serious and 5,738 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Telmisartan (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Telmisartan break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 17,157, Male: 13,711, Unknown: 45. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Telmisartan?

The most frequently reported age groups for Telmisartan adverse events are: age 65: 825 reports, age 75: 792 reports, age 68: 737 reports, age 69: 732 reports, age 73: 719 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Telmisartan?

The primary manufacturer associated with Telmisartan adverse event reports is Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Telmisartan?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Telmisartan include: Headache, Dizziness, Fall, Blood Pressure Increased, Hypertension. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Telmisartan?

You can report adverse events from Telmisartan to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Telmisartan's safety score and what does it mean?

Telmisartan has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Nausea, fatigue, and dizziness are the most common adverse events reported.

What are the key safety signals for Telmisartan?

Key safety signals identified in Telmisartan's adverse event data include: High frequency of serious reactions (82.9%). Multiple cardiovascular and renal adverse events reported. Significant number of reports involving respiratory issues. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Telmisartan interact with other drugs?

Telmisartan can interact with other drugs, and its use in unapproved indications is noted. Close monitoring is advised. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Telmisartan.

What should patients know before taking Telmisartan?

Monitor patients for signs of serious adverse events, especially respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Be cautious when using telmisartan in unapproved indications.

Are Telmisartan side effects well-documented?

Telmisartan has 72,751 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious reactions, such as pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and sepsis, are frequent. The volume of reports for Telmisartan reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Telmisartan?

Regulatory oversight is ongoing, with a focus on monitoring serious adverse events and drug interactions. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to TELMISARTAN based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AmilorideSpironolactoneIndapamideFurosemideHydrochlorothiazide
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.