Are Telma-H and Xtar-F safe for prolonged use?

Q: What are the side effects of Telma-H and Xtar-F? I have been taking these tablets for the last three years.

A:Telma-H contains two medicines: telmisartan and hydrochlorothiazide while Xtar-F also contains two medicines: atorvastatin and fenofibrate. It is not a very good idea to prescribe combination products where dose of individual agents cannot be adjusted. It is always possible to take four medicines separately in required doses, if at all needed. You have not given adequate clinical information to assess whether Xtra-F is required or not (cholesterol and triglyceride levels, family history etc.). Both fenofibrate and atorvastatin have similar side effects, one of them being muscle injury which can become quite serious called rhabdomyolysis. Hence, these two drugs should be taken concurrently only if absolutely essential.