VALSARTAN

Please see Precautions section.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Common side effects:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

• fainting,
• symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat),
• unusual change in the amount of urine

Precautions:

General:

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

• Allergy: Before taking valsartan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
• Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: liver disease, severe loss of body water and minerals (dehydration).
• Increased potassium: This medication may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• Low blood pressure: Hypertension treated with vasartan is an uncommon event, but if it does occur, ask the patient to lay down , and administer intravenous normal saline.
• Impaired renal function: Patients with chronic kidney disease, renal artery stenosis, severe congestive heart failure or volume depletion should be monitored regularly if they are given valsartan. Stop drug administration if renal function becomes abnormal.

Pregnancy risk:  Category D.  This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to an unborn baby.

Breastfeeding:  It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions:

• Some products that may interact with this drug include: aliskiren, lithium, drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ACE inhibitors including benazepril/lisinopril, birth control pills containing drospirenone).
• Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Ask your pharmacist for more details.

Overdose:

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness, fainting.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as kidney function, potassium levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure, and share the results with your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store tablets/capsules at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Store the suspension at room temperature for up to 30 days, or in the refrigerator at 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) for up to 75 days. Do not freeze.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Brands:

Available Brands

• Diovan [ Novartis Healthcare ]
• Tareg [ Sandoz ]
• Valazyd [ Zydus Healthcare Phils ]
• Valvex 80/Valvex 160 [ VE Pharma ]