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Telmisartan side effects: what 17,738 FDA adverse event reports show

Telmisartan · 1,202 reaction terms · 101,854 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
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Drug class

Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker

FDA label (Established Pharmacologic Class) · compare the class

Who reports

17,738 reports · 87% serious · 1,706 with death outcome · 56% female

openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied

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.

FDA label, Indications and Usage

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.

FDA label, Description section

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) ].

FDA label
How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation. Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)? That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.

Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals

Labeled (related wording) 1Likely indication confounding 5Reporting / coding artifact 1Lab value / disease marker 8Not in label — unassessed 25
What the badges mean

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.

Show:
ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Neurologic neglect syndrome180562.3
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 — unassessedserious n=180 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinicianno trial data cached
Urine calcium/creatinine ratio increased17440.2
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 markerserious n=17no trial data cached
Urethral caruncle16388.4
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 — unassessedserious n=16no trial data cached
Amaurosis fugax238339.0
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 — unassessedserious n=238 · 93% clinicianno trial data cached
Carotid artery thrombosis183323.1
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 — unassessedserious n=183 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinicianno trial data cached
Pulmonary valve disease25280.1
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 — unassessedserious n=25 · ♀ 0% (drug 56%) · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Infusion site streaking15246.2
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 — unassessedserious n=15no trial data cached
Gastric ph increased19240.6
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 markerserious n=19no trial data cached
Adjustment disorder176184.4
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 — unassessedserious n=176 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinicianno trial data cached
Hepatojugular reflux22178.0
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 — unassessedserious n=22 · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Electrocardiogram q wave abnormal24136.4
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 markerserious n=24 · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Pericardial disease28119.9
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 — unassessedserious n=28 · ♀ 0% (drug 56%) · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Carcinoid tumour pulmonary21112.2
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 — unassessedserious n=21 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%)no trial data cached
Granuloma skin70109.0
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 — unassessedserious n=70 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Labile hypertension2092.8
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=20no trial data cached
Personality disorder18086.6
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 — unassessedserious n=180 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinicianno trial data cached
Physical examination abnormal2275.8
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 artifactserious n=22 · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Drug specific antibody8275.5
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 markerserious n=82 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%)no trial data cached
Blood parathyroid hormone decreased7461.7
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 markerserious n=74 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 95% clinicianno trial data cached
Carotid arteriosclerosis4858.1
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=48no trial data cached
Insulin-like growth factor decreased2353.4
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 markerserious n=23 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%)no trial data cached
Occult blood2250.8
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 — unassessedserious n=22 · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Appendicolith1548.5
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 — unassessedserious n=15no trial data cached
Epidermal necrosis3847.6
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 — unassessedserious n=38 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Haemorrhagic stroke28644.6
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% clinicianno trial data cached
Ureteral disorder1544.4
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 — unassessedserious n=15no trial data cached
Gangrene19639.4
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 — unassessedserious n=196 · ♀ 96% (drug 56%)no trial data cached
Creatinine renal clearance increased2438.9
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 markerserious n=24 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Brash syndrome4338.7
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 — unassessedserious n=43 · 100% clinicianno trial data cached
Panniculitis7437.4
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 — unassessedserious n=74 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 95% clinicianno trial data cached
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody1832.7
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 markerserious n=18no trial data cached
Blood pressure diastolic abnormal6832.1
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% clinicianno trial data cached
Albuminuria1431.9
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 — unassessedserious n=14no trial data cached
Rheumatoid nodule7331.8
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 — unassessedserious n=73 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 93% clinicianno trial data cached
Drug tolerance decreased7130.7
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 — unassessedserious n=71 · ♀ 100% (drug 56%) · 94% clinicianno trial data cached
Bite1830.1
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 — unassessedserious n=18no trial data cached
Arterial occlusive disease19630.0
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% clinicianno trial data cached
Sensory loss20030.0
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 — unassessedserious PRR 22.9 · ♀ 96% (drug 56%)no trial data cached
Hemiplegia20529.7
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 — unassessedserious PRR 19.5 · ♀ 96% (drug 56%) · 93% clinicianno trial data cached

Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)

Trial cross-check not yet run for this drug (ClinicalTrials.gov pull covers the 800 most-reported drugs first).

Most frequently reported reactions

By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.

ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Fatigue (tiredness)1,4552.2
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 2.4no trial data cached
Nausea1,3582.0
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 2.4no trial data cached
Drug ineffective (drug did not work)1,2381.1
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 artifactserious PRR 1.8no trial data cached
Diarrhoea (diarrhea)1,2142.2
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 2.3no trial data cached
Headache1,2082.3
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)1,1581.6
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 artifactserious PRR 1.8no trial data cached
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)1,1542.4
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 2.1no trial data cached
Fall1,1184.0
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 — unassessedserious PRR 3.1 · ♀ 76% (drug 56%)no trial data cached
Arthralgia (joint pain)1,0413.0
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 3.3no trial data cached
Dizziness9952.4
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 2.5no trial data cached
Asthenia (weakness)9953.1
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 2.8no trial data cached
Blood pressure increased9917.7
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 6.9no trial data cached
Malaise (feeling unwell)9782.6
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
Vomiting9772.5
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 2.4no trial data cached
Cough9384.0
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.

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

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.