MICARDIS receives Health Canada approval to reduce the risk of non-fatal stroke

MICARDIS(R) (telmisartan) has received Health Canada approval to reduce the risk of non-fatal stroke or non-fatal myocardial infarction in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing major cardiovascular events who cannot tolerate an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. High risk of cardiovascular events includes evidence of coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or diabetes mellitus with evidence of end-organ damage. This new approval makes MICARDIS(R) the first and only angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) in Canada to receive this indication.

"The new MICARDIS(R) indication provides physicians an alternative to ACE inhibitors for their high-risk patients who cannot tolerate the most commonly prescribed CV protective medication," says Dr. Subodh Verma, Cardiac Surgeon at St. Michael's Hospital, Associate Professor of Surgery and Pharmacology at University of Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Atherosclerosis. "Up to 44 per cent of the patients suffer from side effects caused by ACE inhibitors, such as intolerable dry cough. Now there is a proven option that reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, and will help patients stay on their medication as it does not cause those challenging side effects."