From 1 June 2011, telmisartan with amlodipine fixed-dose combination tablets (Twynsta) can be prescribed on the PBS for people who have inadequate blood pressure control with either telmisartan or amlodipine alone.1

 

Consider a fixed-dose combination for people on stable doses of the individual drugs

Compared with taking each drug separately, fixed-dose combination tablets allow people to take fewer tablets each day and can result in less out-of-pocket expenses because only one co-payment is required for both drugs.

However, the usual considerations that apply to fixed-dose combination tablets remain important.2 Establish the effective dose using the individual drugs first.3 Consider whether the available strengths of the fixed-dose combination allow the same doses of each drug to be given: not all strengths of each drug are available in a fixed-dose combination tablet (see Table 1).

Table 1.
Current PBS-listed telmisartan-containing preparations1,4

Drug Brand name Strengths available
telmisartan Micardis 40 mg
80 mg
telmisartan with hydrochlorothiazide Micardis Plus 40 mg / 12.5 mg
80 mg / 12.5 mg
80 mg / 25 mg
telmisartan with amlodipine Twynsta 40 mg / 5 mg
40 mg / 10 mg
80 mg / 5 mg
80 mg / 10 mg
 

Minimise confusion about drug therapy

Show people which drugs are being replaced by the fixed-dose combination tablet. Explain that:

  • the individual drugs are no longer required, and
  • the risk of errors is reduced by returning unneeded drugs to a pharmacy for safe disposal.