Valsartan

CAUTION:
Do not take valsartan if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking valsartan, call your doctor without delay. Valsartan may harm the fetus.

General Information and Indications:

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.
 

Information For Users:

Valsartan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it is usually taken once a day with or without food. For the treatment of heart failure, it is usually taken twice a day with or without food.To help you remember to take valsartan, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take valsartan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Your doctor might start you on a low dose of valsartan and slowly increase your dose.

Valsartan controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure them. Continue taking valsartan even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking valsartan without informing your doctor.

special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to valsartan or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), labetalol (Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal); and diuretics ('water pills'). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney or liver disease.
o Inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Valsartan may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o dizziness
o headache
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o diarrhea
o stomach pain
o back pain
o joint pain

Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:

o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o hoarseness
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o fainting

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o dizziness
o fainting
o rapid or pounding heartbeat

Brand Name(s):

o Diovan®

Other Name(s):

o Diovan® HCT containing Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide