Update: Generic Micardis (telmisartan) coming soon. It is available in Europe.
MICARDIS is a hypertension medication shown to have an approximate reduction of (Systolic/Diastolic) blood pressure of 9-13/6-8 mmHg for 40 mg dose. Micardis 80mg was recently approved for cardiovascular risk reduction. Micardis has the active ingredient telmisartan and comes in 40mg or 80mg tablets. Coupon information for free or discounted Micardis are found on this page.
Telmisartan has been shown to reduce blood pressure after the first dose and maximum benefit reached by about four weeks. Blood pressure gradually returns to baseline values over a period of several days to 1 week after stopping the medication. The following factors do not influence the anti-hypertensive effect of telmisartan: patient age, gender, weight, or body mass index. (Source Micardis)
MICARDIS achieved sales of 1.39 billion Euros and growth of +8.7% (currency-adjusted) in 2010. Sales growth is expected for two reasons: a) new approval of Micardis for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke or death due to cardiovascular diseases, and b) successful results of the ONTARGET trial.
Patients 55 years of age and older who are at high risk of developing major cardiovascular events and unable to take ACE inhibitors, may now be treated with MICARDIS 80 mg which is approved for cardiovascular risk reduction:
Myocardial infarction
Stroke
Death from cardiovascular causes
Source Micardis
30 Day Trial of Micardis
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals suggests physicians offer eligible new MICARDIS patients a 30-Day FREE Trial Offer of Micardis, just by joining the AimingLower™ Advantage program. The patient receives a coupon that can be used with a prescription from a physician along with periodic mailings. The goal of the Aiming Lower™ Advantage is to help future and current users of Micardis work toward healthier blood pressure levels.
Micardis MyCard
A secondary coverage program offered by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals for Micardis or Micardis HCT. The application states "Patients never pay more than $20 for a 30-day prescription of MICARDIS or MICARDIS HCT, whether paying with cash or using insurance". There are restrictions.
See pdf for details.
Online Drugstores
For cash-paying customers, online drugstores offer occasional discount coupons - not specifically for Micardis but for an online purchase. Try DestinationRx for comparative drug price shopping of reputable online sellers of prescription medications. DestinationRx also will provide you the names of cheaper alternative drugs such as lisinopril (generic) for Benicar (brand).
Pharmacy Price Matching
Many pharmacies, particularly those of major chains such as Walgreens and CVS, offer price matching programs. While not a discount, it is one way to save money if you are a cash-paying customer.
Micardis MyCard
Excludes those on Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal- or state-funded programs. Other exclusions are those patients in states who are not eligible to participate such as Massachusetts or in those states where prohibited by law.
30 Day Trial of Micardis
One time trial offer.
Online Drugstores
Discounts vary by e-commerce retailer and usually time-limited - often with conditions (e.g., minimum purchase). Check the details of the coupon first. If you buy from online drugstores, consider an online rebate website like MrRebates.com.
Disclaimer: Promotions, programs, and coupons subject to change.
Micardis is under patent until at least 2014.
Link to Lipitor Coupons