Telmisartan side effects: what 17,738 FDA adverse event reports show
Drug class
Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker
Who reports
17,738 reports · 87% serious · 1,706 with death outcome · 56% female
Used for
Telmisartan tablets are an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. (1.1) Cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction in patients unable to take ACE inhibitors.
What it is
Telmisartan is a non-peptide angiotensin II receptor (type AT 1 ) antagonist. Telmisartan is chemically described as 4'-[(1,4'-dimethyl-2'-propyl [2,6'-bi-1H-benzimidazol]-1'-yl)methyl]-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic acid.
Boxed warning
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ].
Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals
What the badges mean
- Labeled (related wording) The label describes this effect under different wording (e.g. 'neutropenia' for 'neutrophil count decreased'). Treated as known.
- Likely indication confounding The term appears in the label's indications: reports probably describe the disease being treated (or its progression), not a drug effect. Classic confounding by indication.
- Reporting / coding artifact An administrative, monitoring or exposure term (product issue, off-label use, 'test normal', overdose...). Not a biological reaction; a high PRR here reflects how reports are coded.
- Lab value / disease marker A laboratory result, investigation or disease-activity marker (antibody positive, CRP abnormal, swollen joint count) not described in the label. These usually mirror the monitored disease or testing protocol rather than a drug effect; not screened further.
- Not in label — unassessed Not found in the label text, not an artifact pattern. This is a genuine candidate for a formal causality assessment (Bradford Hill / WHO-UMC); it has NOT had one here.
Strongest disproportionality signals
Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only (and, for the 300 most-reported drugs, adjusted for age band), and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers. Each row also shows the PRR against the other drugs of the same FDA class, which removes most confounding by the condition being treated, and a calibrated p-value: on validation, known non-causes average an ROR of about 2, so significance is judged against that empirical null (✓ = p < 0.05 after calibration). 1,162 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.
| Reaction | Reports | PRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/p | EBGM EB05 · IC025 | Label screen | Serious-only & strata | Trial cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neurologic neglect syndrome | 180 | 562.3 470.9–671.3ROR 568.0 · calibrated p 2e-14 ✓ | 364.8 EB05 322.2 · IC025 +7.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.4 (0.3–0.4) | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=180 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Urine calcium/creatinine ratio increased | 17 | 440.2 252.0–768.9ROR 440.6 · calibrated p 8e-12 ✓ | 235.4 EB05 155.6 · IC025 +4.2 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=17 | no trial data cached |
| Urethral caruncle | 16 | 388.4 220.6–683.8ROR 388.7 · calibrated p 3e-11 ✓ | 216.5 EB05 141.3 · IC025 +4.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=16 | no trial data cached |
| Amaurosis fugax | 238 | 339.0 293.7–391.4ROR 343.6 · calibrated p 3e-12 ✓ | 257.4 EB05 231.1 · IC025 +7.2 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=238 · 93% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Carotid artery thrombosis | 183 | 323.1 274.5–380.3ROR 326.4 · calibrated p 6e-12 ✓ | 246.6 EB05 218.1 · IC025 +7.0 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.4 (0.3–0.4) | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=183 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Pulmonary valve disease | 25 | 280.1 181.1–433.3ROR 280.5 · calibrated p 1e-10 ✓ | 192.9 EB05 137.4 · IC025 +4.7 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=25 · ♀ 0% (drug 56%) · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Infusion site streaking | 15 | 246.2 141.1–429.6ROR 246.4 · calibrated p 1e-9 ✓ | 161.9 EB05 104.1 · IC025 +3.9 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=15 | no trial data cached |
| Gastric ph increased | 19 | 240.6 146.9–394.2ROR 240.9 · calibrated p 7e-10 ✓ | 166.5 EB05 112.7 · IC025 +4.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=19 | no trial data cached |
| Adjustment disorder | 176 | 184.4 157.4–216.1ROR 186.3 · calibrated p 9e-10 ✓ | 156.7 EB05 138.2 · IC025 +6.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.4 (0.3–0.4) | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=176 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Hepatojugular reflux | 22 | 178.0 113.7–278.7ROR 178.2 · calibrated p 6e-9 ✓ | 136.5 EB05 95.0 · IC025 +4.4 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=22 · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Electrocardiogram q wave abnormal | 24 | 136.4 89.4–208.2ROR 136.6 · calibrated p 4e-8 ✓ | 111.6 EB05 78.9 · IC025 +4.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=24 · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Pericardial disease | 28 | 119.9 81.3–176.9ROR 120.1 · calibrated p 8e-8 ✓ | 101.5 EB05 73.7 · IC025 +4.6 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=28 · ♀ 0% (drug 56%) · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Carcinoid tumour pulmonary | 21 | 112.2 71.7–175.6ROR 112.4 · calibrated p 2e-7 ✓ | 93.9 EB05 64.8 · IC025 +4.2 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=21 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Granuloma skin | 70 | 109.0 85.4–139.2ROR 109.5 · calibrated p 9e-8 ✓ | 97.2 EB05 79.6 · IC025 +5.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=70 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Labile hypertension | 20 | 92.8 58.9–146.4ROR 92.9 · calibrated p 7e-7 ✓ | 79.7 EB05 54.5 · IC025 +4.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Likely indication confounding shares a disease stem with the indications wording | serious n=20 | no trial data cached |
| Personality disorder | 180 | 86.6 74.5–100.7ROR 87.5 · calibrated p 3e-7 ✓ | 80.0 EB05 70.7 · IC025 +5.8 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.4 (0.3–0.4) | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=180 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Physical examination abnormal | 22 | 75.8 49.3–116.7ROR 75.9 · calibrated p 2e-6 ✓ | 67.3 EB05 46.8 · IC025 +4.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Reporting / coding artifact | serious n=22 · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Drug specific antibody | 82 | 75.5 60.4–94.4ROR 75.9 · calibrated p 1e-6 ✓ | 69.9 EB05 58.1 · IC025 +5.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=82 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Urinary tract disorder | 231 | 63.9 56.1–72.9ROR 64.8 · calibrated p 3e-6 ✓ | 60.4 EB05 54.1 · IC025 +5.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Labeled (related wording) related wording | serious n=229 | no trial data cached |
| Blood parathyroid hormone decreased | 74 | 61.7 48.8–77.9ROR 61.9 · calibrated p 4e-6 ✓ | 57.8 EB05 47.6 · IC025 +5.0 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=74 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 95% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Carotid arteriosclerosis | 48 | 58.1 43.5–77.6ROR 58.2 · calibrated p 8e-6 ✓ | 54.2 EB05 42.5 · IC025 +4.7 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.3 (0.2–0.5) | Likely indication confounding shares a disease stem with the indications wording | serious n=48 | no trial data cached |
| Insulin-like growth factor decreased | 23 | 53.4 35.2–81.1ROR 53.5 · calibrated p 2e-5 ✓ | 49.1 EB05 34.5 · IC025 +3.9 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=23 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Occult blood | 22 | 50.8 33.1–77.8ROR 50.8 · calibrated p 3e-5 ✓ | 46.8 EB05 32.6 · IC025 +3.8 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=22 · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Appendicolith | 15 | 48.5 29.0–81.4ROR 48.6 · calibrated p 5e-5 ✓ | 44.2 EB05 28.4 · IC025 +3.4 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=15 | no trial data cached |
| Epidermal necrosis | 38 | 47.6 34.4–65.8ROR 47.7 · calibrated p 3e-5 ✓ | 44.8 EB05 34.1 · IC025 +4.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=38 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Haemorrhagic stroke | 286 | 44.6 39.7–50.1ROR 45.3 · calibrated p 3e-5 ✓ | 42.9 EB05 38.9 · IC025 +5.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.8 (0.6–0.9) | Likely indication confounding shares a disease stem with the indications wording | serious PRR 28.6 · 90% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Ureteral disorder | 15 | 44.4 26.5–74.3ROR 44.4 · calibrated p 8e-5 ✓ | 40.7 EB05 26.2 · IC025 +3.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=15 | no trial data cached |
| Gangrene | 196 | 39.4 34.2–45.4ROR 39.9 · calibrated p 6e-5 ✓ | 38.0 EB05 33.8 · IC025 +4.9 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.5 (0.4–0.6) | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=196 · ♀ 96% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Creatinine renal clearance increased | 24 | 38.9 25.9–58.5ROR 39.0 · calibrated p 1e-4 ✓ | 36.7 EB05 26.0 · IC025 +3.7 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=24 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Brash syndrome | 43 | 38.7 28.5–52.4ROR 38.8 · calibrated p 9e-5 ✓ | 36.9 EB05 28.5 · IC025 +4.2 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.2 (0.1–0.2) | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=43 · 100% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Panniculitis | 74 | 37.4 29.7–47.1ROR 37.5 · calibrated p 9e-5 ✓ | 36.0 EB05 29.6 · IC025 +4.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=74 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 95% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody | 18 | 32.7 20.5–52.3ROR 32.8 · calibrated p 3e-4 ✓ | 30.9 EB05 20.7 · IC025 +3.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Lab value / disease marker | serious n=18 | no trial data cached |
| Blood pressure diastolic abnormal | 68 | 32.1 25.2–40.8ROR 32.2 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓ | 31.0 EB05 25.3 · IC025 +4.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.2 (0.2–0.3) | Likely indication confounding term in indications | serious n=66 · ♀ 87% (drug 56%) · 94% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Albuminuria | 14 | 31.9 18.8–54.3ROR 31.9 · calibrated p 5e-4 ✓ | 30.0 EB05 18.9 · IC025 +3.0 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=14 | no trial data cached |
| Rheumatoid nodule | 73 | 31.8 25.2–40.1ROR 31.9 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓ | 30.7 EB05 25.3 · IC025 +4.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=73 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Drug tolerance decreased | 71 | 30.7 24.3–38.9ROR 30.8 · calibrated p 3e-4 ✓ | 29.7 EB05 24.4 · IC025 +4.2 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=71 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 94% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Bite | 18 | 30.1 18.9–48.0ROR 30.1 · calibrated p 5e-4 ✓ | 28.6 EB05 19.1 · IC025 +3.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: only this drug | Not in label — unassessed | serious n=18 | no trial data cached |
| Arterial occlusive disease | 196 | 30.0 26.1–34.6ROR 30.4 · calibrated p 3e-4 ✓ | 29.2 EB05 26.0 · IC025 +4.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.2 (0.2–0.2) | Likely indication confounding shares a disease stem with the indications wording | serious PRR 20.3 · ♀ 96% (drug 56%) · 92% clinician | no trial data cached |
| Sensory loss | 200 | 30.0 26.1–34.5ROR 30.3 · calibrated p 3e-4 ✓ | 29.2 EB05 26.0 · IC025 +4.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.3 (0.3–0.4) | Not in label — unassessed | serious PRR 22.9 · ♀ 96% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Hemiplegia | 205 | 29.7 25.9–34.1ROR 30.1 · calibrated p 3e-4 ✓ | 28.9 EB05 25.8 · IC025 +4.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.2 (0.2–0.3) | Not in label — unassessed | serious PRR 19.5 · ♀ 96% (drug 56%) · 93% clinician | no trial data cached |
Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Most frequently reported reactions
By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.
| Reaction | Reports | PRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/p | EBGM EB05 · IC025 | Label screen | Serious-only & strata | Trial cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatigue (tiredness) | 1,455 | 2.2 2.1–2.3ROR 2.3 · calibrated p 0.892 | 2.2 EB05 2.1 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.0 (0.0–0.0) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.4 | no trial data cached |
| Nausea | 1,358 | 2.0 1.9–2.1ROR 2.1 · calibrated p 0.991 | 2.0 EB05 1.9 · IC025 +0.9 vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.4 | no trial data cached |
| Drug ineffective (drug did not work) | 1,238 | 1.1 1.1–1.2ROR 1.1 · calibrated p 0.386 | 1.1 EB05 1.1 · IC025 +0.1 vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.0 (0.0–0.1) | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 1.8 | no trial data cached |
| Diarrhoea (diarrhea) | 1,214 | 2.2 2.1–2.4ROR 2.3 · calibrated p 0.892 | 2.2 EB05 2.1 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.3 | no trial data cached |
| Headache | 1,208 | 2.3 2.2–2.4ROR 2.4 · calibrated p 0.868 | 2.3 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.9 · ♀ 79% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Off label use (used outside approved label) | 1,158 | 1.6 1.5–1.7ROR 1.6 · calibrated p 0.718 | 1.6 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.6 vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Reporting / coding artifact | serious PRR 1.8 | no trial data cached |
| Dyspnoea (shortness of breath) | 1,154 | 2.4 2.3–2.6ROR 2.5 · calibrated p 0.808 | 2.4 EB05 2.3 · IC025 +1.2 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.0 (0.0–0.0) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.1 | no trial data cached |
| Fall | 1,118 | 4.0 3.8–4.2ROR 4.2 · calibrated p 0.345 | 4.0 EB05 3.8 · IC025 +1.9 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Not in label — unassessed | serious PRR 3.1 · ♀ 76% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Arthralgia (joint pain) | 1,041 | 3.0 2.8–3.2ROR 3.1 · calibrated p 0.596 | 3.0 EB05 2.8 · IC025 +1.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 3.3 | no trial data cached |
| Dizziness | 995 | 2.4 2.2–2.5ROR 2.4 · calibrated p 0.837 | 2.4 EB05 2.2 · IC025 +1.1 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.0 (0.0–0.0) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.5 | no trial data cached |
| Asthenia (weakness) | 995 | 3.1 2.9–3.3ROR 3.3 · calibrated p 0.548 | 3.1 EB05 3.0 · IC025 +1.5 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.8 | no trial data cached |
| Blood pressure increased | 991 | 7.7 7.2–8.2ROR 8.1 · calibrated p 0.065 | 7.6 EB05 7.2 · IC025 +2.8 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Labeled — boxed warning synonym match | serious PRR 6.9 | no trial data cached |
| Malaise (feeling unwell) | 978 | 2.6 2.5–2.8ROR 2.7 · calibrated p 0.722 | 2.6 EB05 2.5 · IC025 +1.3 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.0–0.1) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.8 · ♀ 77% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
| Vomiting | 977 | 2.5 2.3–2.6ROR 2.6 · calibrated p 0.792 | 2.5 EB05 2.3 · IC025 +1.2 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.1 (0.1–0.1) | Labeled adverse reaction exact term | serious PRR 2.4 | no trial data cached |
| Cough | 938 | 4.0 3.7–4.2ROR 4.1 · calibrated p 0.353 | 4.0 EB05 3.7 · IC025 +1.9 3/3 methods agree vs other Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers: PRR 0.0 (0.0–0.0) | Likely indication confounding term in indications; also in warnings | serious PRR 4.4 · ♀ 80% (drug 56%) | no trial data cached |
Unlabeled candidate signals
These flagged terms were not found in the FDA label text and do not match an artifact pattern. They are the pairs that would merit a structured assessment (temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across databases, trial or cohort evidence). The screen has not done that; string-matching misses label wording, and a strong PRR can still be stimulated reporting, co-medication, or the disease itself.
- Neurologic neglect syndrome — n=180, PRR 562.3
- Amaurosis fugax — n=238, PRR 339.0
- Carotid artery thrombosis — n=183, PRR 323.1
- Pulmonary valve disease — n=25, PRR 280.1
- Adjustment disorder — n=176, PRR 184.4
- Hepatojugular reflux — n=22, PRR 178.0
- Pericardial disease — n=28, PRR 119.9
- Carcinoid tumour pulmonary — n=21, PRR 112.2
- Granuloma skin — n=70, PRR 109.0
- Personality disorder — n=180, PRR 86.6
Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.
Common questions
What are the most reported side effects of Telmisartan?
In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Telmisartan are fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, dyspnoea, fall. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.
Does Telmisartan have an FDA boxed warning?
Yes. The current FDA label carries a boxed warning: FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ].
Do FAERS signals prove that Telmisartan causes these side effects?
No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.
Sources & methods
- FDA label via openFDA (set ID 20a60231-64f0-4751-aa81-6c0e64334179, effective 20230930; matched on
openfda.generic_name.exact:"TELMISARTAN") - Bayesian shrinkage measures computed offline over all 1,317,300 cached pairs: BCPNN information component (IC, with Norén closed-form IC025) and MGPS empirical-Bayes geometric mean (EBGM, EB05) with a two-component gamma prior fitted by maximum marginal likelihood (α₁=0.57, β₁=0.02, α₂=1.42, β₂=0.70, w=0.17); unstratified
- FAERS pair statistics from the OpenPV build of 2026-09-14 (openFDA
count=aggregation, fieldpatient.drug.openfda.generic_name.exact, 1,202 reaction terms, min 3 co-reports); PRR/ROR with 95% CI, chi-square with Yates correction - Serious-only and stratified counts (serious:1, patient.patientsex, primarysource.qualification) from openFDA count queries; serious-only PRR uses the drug serious report total and the term global serious total (N_serious=11,882,979); strata shown only when n ≥ 20
- Seriousness and sex counts from openFDA
count=serious,patient.patientsex,seriousnessdeath
Page generated 2026-10-14. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.