Valsartan

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that may be used to treat high blood pressure or reduce the risk of being admitted to the hospital if you have heart failure. Specifically, valsartan is FDA-approved to: Lower high blood pressure in adults and children aged 1 year and older, either alone or in combination with other blood pressure medicines Decrease the need for hospitalization because of heart failure in adults with heart failure Increase the chance of living longer after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) in adults with certain types of heart failure. Valsartan should not be used to treat high blood pressure in children less than 1 year of age and it is not known if it is safe and effective in children with certain kidney problems. Valsartan works by blocking angiotensin II, a powerful blood pressure regulator that narrows blood vessels (vasoconstriction), affects the production and release of aldosterone, stimulates the heart, and promotes sodium reabsorption by the kidneys. Valsartan blocks angiotensin II from binding to the AT 1 receptor in many tissues such as blood vessel smooth muscle and the adrenal gland, lowering blood pressure. Valsartan was FDA-approved on December 23, 1996, as the brand name Diovan. Generic valsartan has been approved since June 2014.

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that may be used to treat high blood pressure or reduce the risk of being admitted to the hospital if you have heart failure. Specifically, valsartan is FDA-approved to: Lower high blood pressure in adults and children aged 1 year and older, either alone or in combination with other blood pressure medicines Decrease the need for hospitalization because of heart failure in adults with heart failure Increase the chance of living longer after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) in adults with certain types of heart failure. Valsartan should not be used to treat high blood pressure in children less than 1 year of age and it is not known if it is safe and effective in children with certain kidney problems. Valsartan works by blocking angiotensin II, a powerful blood pressure regulator that narrows blood vessels (vasoconstriction), affects the production and release of aldosterone, stimulates the heart, and promotes sodium reabsorption by the kidneys. Valsartan blocks angiotensin II from binding to the AT 1 receptor in many tissues such as blood vessel smooth muscle and the adrenal gland, lowering blood pressure. Valsartan was FDA-approved on December 23, 1996, as the brand name Diovan. Generic valsartan has been approved since June 2014.

Before taking valsartan, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including, if you: have heart problems have kidney problems take other medications that may affect your blood pressure or potassium levels are pregnant or plan to become pregnant are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

The most common side effects of valsartan when used to treat people with high blood pressure include: headache dizziness flu symptoms tiredness stomach (abdominal) pain The most common side effects of valsartan when used to treat people with heart failure include: dizziness low blood pressure diarrhea joint and back pain tiredness high blood potassium. The most common side effects of valsartan when used to treat people after a heart attack that cause them to stop taking it include: low blood pressure cough high blood creatinine (decreased kidney function).

Valsartan can cause the following serious side effects. Harm or death to an unborn baby . Talk to your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant during treatment with valsartan, stop taking it and tell your healthcare provider right away. Low blood pressure (hypotension). Your blood pressure may fall while taking valsartan, especially when you first start taking it, and can cause you to feel lightheaded. Lie down, if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint. Call your healthcare provider right away. Feeling lightheaded is most likely to happen if you: take water pills such as furosemide or HCTZ are dehydrated (decreased body fluids) due to vomiting and diarrhea are on a low-salt diet you sweat excessively get dialysis treatments have heart problems do not drink enough liquids. Kidney problems . Valsartan may worsen kidney problems in people who already have kidney disease or heart problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check for this. Increased potassium in your blood . Some people may develop high levels of potassium in their blood during treatment with valsartan. Your doctor may do a blood test to check your potassium levels as needed These are not all of the possible side effects of valsartan. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Valsartan can cause the following serious side effects. Harm or death to an unborn baby . Talk to your healthcare provider about other ways to lower your blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant during treatment with valsartan, stop taking it and tell your healthcare provider right away. Low blood pressure (hypotension). Your blood pressure may fall while taking valsartan, especially when you first start taking it, and can cause you to feel lightheaded. Lie down, if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint. Call your healthcare provider right away. Feeling lightheaded is most likely to happen if you: take water pills such as furosemide or HCTZ are dehydrated (decreased body fluids) due to vomiting and diarrhea are on a low-salt diet you sweat excessively get dialysis treatments have heart problems do not drink enough liquids. Kidney problems . Valsartan may worsen kidney problems in people who already have kidney disease or heart problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check for this. Increased potassium in your blood . Some people may develop high levels of potassium in their blood during treatment with valsartan. Your doctor may do a blood test to check your potassium levels as needed These are not all of the possible side effects of valsartan. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

80 to 160 mg (120 (120)) 24 hourly PO — Scraped Dose — Take valsartan exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Valsartan is usually taken 1 time daily for high blood pressure and 2 times daily for heart failure or post-MI. The dosage may be increased up to the maximum dosage range if required and if tolerated.

( ) — Not recommended in this age group

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Valsartan may affect the way other medicines work. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take: Other medicines for high blood pressure or a heart problem Water pills (also called “diuretics”) Potassium-containing medicines, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium. Your healthcare provider may check the amount of potassium in your blood regularly. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Lithium. Your healthcare provider will check the amount of lithium in your blood regularly. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when a new medicine is prescribed. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start taking any new medicine.

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