Telmisartan: Why Some Bodybuilders on PEDs Turn to This Blood-Pressure Medication

[Andy-Just-Gyms]

Introduction​

When people talk about performance-enhancing drugs in bodybuilding, the conversation usually jumps straight to muscle, strength, and physique changes. But behind the scenes, there’s a whole second chapter that doesn’t get talked about nearly as often: managing the health consequences that can come with PED use.

One of the big ones? Blood pressure.
A lot of compounds used in the bodybuilding world can push blood pressure higher, increase water retention, or place added stress on the kidneys. And that’s where telmisartan — a prescription medication originally designed for hypertension — has quietly become a favorite in certain corners of the fitness community.

The goal here isn’t to glamorize PEDs or promote use. Instead, it’s to explain why telmisartan shows up in bodybuilding circles, what’s fact vs. myth, and why medical supervision still matters more than anything.

What Telmisartan Actually Is​

Telmisartan is part of a drug class called ARBs — angiotensin II receptor blockers.
These medications block a hormone that normally causes blood vessels to tighten and the body to hold onto sodium and water. When that hormone is blocked:

• Blood vessels stay relaxed
• Blood pressure drops
• There’s less fluid retention
• Kidneys have less pressure to deal with

It’s prescribed by doctors for people with hypertension, diabetes-related kidney issues, or cardiovascular risk — not for athletes. But because of the way it acts on the body’s fluid and pressure systems, bodybuilders eventually took notice.

Why It Ended Up in Bodybuilding Conversations​

1. Elevated Blood Pressure on PEDs

Some PEDs can raise blood pressure through increased red blood cell mass, water retention, changes in vascular tone, or shifts in hormones like aldosterone. Telmisartan helps counter those effects by relaxing blood vessels and reducing overall vascular resistance.

2. Water Retention

Because telmisartan reduces aldosterone’s influence, some of the sodium-and-water retention that comes with certain compounds can be less pronounced. It’s not a diuretic “drying out” effect — more of a steady normalization of fluid balance.

3. Kidney Stress

High blood pressure alone can strain the kidneys over time. Combine that with heavy training, high-protein diets, dehydration, and PED-related changes in blood thickness, and the kidneys end up working overtime. Telmisartan is known in medicine for its kidney-protective tendencies, especially in people with high blood pressure or early-stage kidney disease. That reputation translated into its appeal for athletes looking to reduce long-term risk.

4. Bonus Claims You’ll Hear Online

Some people in the fitness space claim telmisartan improves fat metabolism or insulin sensitivity because of its interaction with a receptor called PPAR-γ. There is some research showing metabolic benefits in clinical populations — but translating that into bodybuilding outcomes is mostly speculation.

The Big Catch: It’s Still a Prescription Medication​

Despite how casually telmisartan sometimes gets mentioned, it’s not a supplement and not a harmless “add-on.”
Like any blood pressure medication, it can come with real risks:

• Potassium levels can rise too high
• Blood pressure can drop too low
• Kidney function can worsen if someone is dehydrated or combining other stressors
• It interacts with certain medications and even things like NSAIDs

On top of that, using telmisartan to counteract PED side effects doesn’t erase the other risks associated with PEDs — such as cholesterol changes, cardiac remodeling, liver strain, or hormonal imbalance.

This is where people often misinterpret “harm reduction.”
It doesn’t mean “safe.”
It means “less dangerous than doing nothing at all — if monitored correctly.”

What’s Solid Science vs. Bodybuilding Folklore​

Well-documented in medical research:

• Lowering blood pressure
• Reducing fluid retention tied to aldosterone
• Providing kidney protection in high-risk patients
• Once-daily stability thanks to a long half-life

Not well-studied or proven in athletes:

• Long-term kidney protection for healthy, PED-using lifters
• Consistent fat-burning or metabolic enhancement
• Using telmisartan as a universal fix for PED blood pressure spikes

While some of the reasoning makes sense on paper, a lot of the bodybuilding claims stretch beyond what’s been demonstrated scientifically.

Why Education Matters More Than Hype​

The reality is simple: PEDs can place real strain on the cardiovascular and renal systems. Ignoring those risks doesn't make them disappear, and relying on advice from forums or influencer videos can make things worse.

If someone chooses to use PEDs, the safest approach is medical supervision, regular blood work, and data-driven decision-making — not guesswork or internet protocols.

Telmisartan may have legitimate protective effects in certain situations, but it’s also a medication that needs the eyes of a healthcare professional, especially when used outside its intended population.

Final Thoughts​

Telmisartan isn’t a “magic shield” against PED side effects, and it’s not a shortcut around responsible health practices. But understanding why some athletes gravitate toward it can at least help inform smarter decisions and better conversations.

Bodybuilding culture often focuses on extremes — pushing the limits of muscle, strength, and performance. The truth is that the athletes who last the longest are usually the ones who take their health just as seriously as their training and nutrition.

 

[Nood]

Good read, thanks Andy 👍