Additional Information
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Why is this medication prescribed
Valsartan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to treat heart failure in people who cannot take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Valsartan is in a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. This medicine also works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at the same time each day.
Valsartan may be taken with or without food.
Dosing
The dose of valsartan will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of valsartan. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For high blood pressure:
- Adults 80 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
- Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What other information should I know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to valsartan.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For valsartan, the following should be considered:
Allergies Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to valsartan. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy Use of valsartan during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters (after the first 3 months) can cause low blood pressure, severe kidney failure, or even death in the newborn. Therefore, it is important that you check with your doctor immediately if you think that you may have become pregnant. Be sure that you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding It is not known whether valsartan passes into breast milk. However, valsartan passes into the milk of lactating rats. Because this medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended while you are taking it.
Children Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of valsartan in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults This medicine has been tested in patients 65 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, blood levels of valsartan and the time it takes for it to be eliminated from the body are increased in the elderly. Additionally, elderly patients may be more sensitive to its effects.
Other medicines Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking valsartan, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Diuretics (water pills) Effects on blood pressure may be increased
- Potassium-sparing medicines, potassium supplements, or potassium-containing salt substitutes May increase blood potassium levels
Other medical problems The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of valsartan. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Dehydration Blood pressure-lowering effects of valsartan may be increased.
- Kidney disease Effects of valsartan may make this condition worse.
- Liver disease Effects of valsartan may be increased because of slower removal of medicine from the body.
Warnings
| Do not take valsartan if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking valsartan, call your doctor immediately. Valsartan may harm the fetus. |
In case of emergency overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- dizziness
- fainting
- rapid or pounding heartbeat
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