Brand Name— Diovan
Generic Name— Valsartan
Drug Class— Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
What Is Valsartan?
Valsartan is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failures. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. Valsartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It is taken by mouth.
Valsartan is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.
Valsartan was patented in 1990, and came into medical use in 1996. It is available as a generic medication. [Trusted Source 1]
Important Information:
It is advisable not to take this medication if you are pregnant. Stop using valsartan and tell your doctor right away. [Trusted Source 1]
It is not recommended for women who are breast—feeding. It may harm an unborn baby. However, it is not clear whether this drug passes into the breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast—feeding. [Trusted Source 1] [Trusted Source 2]
If you are diabetic, do not take this medicine together with any medication that contains aliskiren. [Trusted Source 3]
Interactions:
Tell your doctor or health care provider about all your other medicines, especially [Trusted Source 4] —
- A diuretic or water pill
- Rifampin
- Ritonavir
- Lithium
- Cyclosporine
- Heart medication
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) —ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others
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 a day. The dose should be increased to the highest dose tolerated by the patient.
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 Myocardial Infarction —
Initial Dose— 20 mg orally twice a day.
Maintenance Dose— The initial dose may be titrated upward within seven days to 40 mg twice daily, with subsequent titrations to a target maintenance dosage of 160 mg twice a day as tolerated by the patient. If symptomatic hypotension or renal dysfunction occurs, consideration should be given to a dosage reduction.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension —
6 to 16 years —
Initial Dose— 1.3 mg/kg once a day (up to 40 mg).
Maintenance Dose— up to 2.7 mg/kg (up to 160 mg) once a day titrated according to patient response.
What Are The Side Effects Of Valsartan?
Side effects associated with the use of Valsartan may include —
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Viral infection
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- High blood potassium
- Upper abdominal pain
- Fainting and lightheadedness
- Low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
- Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- Spinning sensation (vertigo)
Other side effects of valsartan include —
- Headache
- Cough
Postmarketing side effects may include —
- Clinical laboratory tests— High blood potassium
- Dermatologic— Hair loss, bullous dermatitis
- Renal— Impaired renal function, renal failure
- Vascular— Vasculitis
- Digestive— Elevated liver enzymes, hepatitis (rare)
- Hypersensitivity— Skin swelling (rare)
- Blood and lymphatic— Low blood platelet count (rare)
What Happens If I Miss A Dose Of Valsartan?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1—800—222—1222.
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