Valsartan Informations
Valsartan (trade name Diovan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (commonly called an ARB, or angiotensin receptor blocker), that is selective for the type I (AT1) angiotensin receptor. Valsartan is mainly used for treatment of high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and to increase the chances of living longer after a heart attack.
Valsartan Uses
Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and to reduce death for people with left ventricular dysfunction after having had a heart attack.
There is contradictory evidence with regard to treating people with heart failure with a combination of an angiotensin receptor blocker like valsartan and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, with two major clinical trials (CHARM-additive and ValHeFt) showing a reduction in death, and two others (VALIANT and ONTARGET) showing no benefits, and more adverse effects including heart attacks.
In people with type II diabetes and high blood pressure or albumin in the urine, valsartan is used to slow the worsening and the development end-stage renal disease.
How To 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. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
If a child taking valsartan cannot swallow a capsule whole, your pharmacist can mix the medicine into a liquid. Shake this liquid well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Possible Side Effects Of Valsartan
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.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
- urinating less than usual or not at all;
- weakness, confusion, increased thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- swelling, rapid weight gain;
- feeling like you might pass out; or
- high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).
Less serious side effects may include:
- headache, dizziness, tired feeling;
- flu symptoms;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough;
- nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea;
- back pain, joint pain;
- blurred vision; or
- mild itching, skin rash.
What other drugs will affect valsartan (Diovan)?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
- a diuretic (water pill);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate);
- ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra);
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.
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