valsartan

Generic Name: valsartan (val SAR tan)
Brand Names: Diovan

What is valsartan?

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.

Valsartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about valsartan?

Do not use valsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking valsartan. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to valsartan. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of valsartan. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

In rare cases, valsartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking valsartan?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to valsartan.

To make sure you can safely take valsartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• congestive heart failure; or

• if you are dehydrated.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use valsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking valsartan. It is not known whether valsartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take valsartan?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

You may take valsartan with or without food.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

It may take 2 to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your blood pressure is under control. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Valsartan dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while taking valsartan?

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of valsartan. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Valsartan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. In rare cases, valsartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine. Stop using valsartan and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• eye pain, vision problems;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• numbness or tingling; or

• swelling, weight gain.

Less serious side effects may include:

• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;

• back pain;

• diarrhea, constipation;

• dry mouth, stomach pain, loss of appetite;

• mild itching, skin rash;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• headache, dizziness, anxiety;

• tired feeling;

• weakness; or

• impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: valsartan side effects (in more detail)

Valsartan Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:

Initial dose: 40 mg orally twice a day.
Maintenance dose: 80 to 160 mg twice daily. The dose should be increased to the highest dose tolerated by the patient.

Concomitant beta blockers and ACE inhibitors are not recommended.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 80 to 160 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: 80 to 320 mg orally once a day.

Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction:

Initial dose: 20 mg orally twice a day.
Maintenance dose: The initial dosage may be titrated upward within 7 days to 40 mg twice daily, with subsequent titrations to a target maintenance dose of 160 mg twice daily as tolerated by the patient. If symptomatic hypotension or renal dysfunction occurs, consideration should be given to a dosage reduction.

Valsartan may be initiated as early as 12 hours after a myocardial infarction, and may be given with other standard post-myocardial infarction treatment, including thrombolytics, aspirin, beta blockers, and statins.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6 to 16 years:
Initial dose: 1.3 mg/kg once daily (up to 40 mg)
Maintenance dose: up to 2.7 mg/kg (up to 160 mg) once daily titrated according to patient response

If the calculated dosage does not correspond to the available tablet strengths, or if children are unable to swallow tablets, the use of a suspension (which can be prepared from the tablets) is recommended. The valsartan dose may need to be increased if the suspension is replaced by a tablet.

What other drugs will affect valsartan?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• a diuretic (water pill); or

• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with valsartan. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about valsartan.