Valsartan 320mg Tablets

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It selectively blocks the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in various tissues, including vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. This blockade inhibits the vasoconstrictive and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation, reduced blood pressure, and decreased sodium and water retention.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

While rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of kidney problems, including:
+ Inability to pass urine
+ Changes in urine output
+ Blood in the urine
+ Sudden weight gain
Signs of high potassium levels, such as:
+ Abnormal heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Weakness, lightheadedness, or dizziness
+ Feeling like passing out
+ Numbness or tingling
+ Shortness of breath
Severe dizziness or fainting
Swelling in the arms or legs
Changes in vision

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people experience no side effects or only mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:

Dizziness, tiredness, or weakness
Stomach pain or diarrhea
Back pain
Joint pain
Headache
Flu-like symptoms

Reporting Side Effects

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you are taking a medication that contains aliskiren and have either diabetes or kidney problems.
If you are breastfeeding, as you should not breastfeed while taking this medication.

For Parents and Caregivers:

If your child is under 1 year of age, do not administer this medication, as it is not suitable for children younger than 1 year.

Additional Considerations:

This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist. This will help ensure it is safe to take this medication in conjunction with your other treatments. Never start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is essential to inform all of your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

When starting this medication, avoid driving and other activities that require alertness until you understand how it affects you. To minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting, stand up slowly after sitting or lying down, and exercise caution when navigating stairs.

The full effects of this medication may not be apparent for several weeks. As directed by your healthcare provider, regularly check your blood pressure and undergo blood tests to monitor your condition. If you have any concerns or questions, discuss them with your doctor.

If you are using a salt substitute containing potassium, a potassium-sparing diuretic, or a potassium supplement, consult with your doctor to ensure safe use. Additionally, if you are following a low-sodium or sodium-free diet, inform your doctor to discuss any necessary adjustments.

Before consuming alcohol, talk to your doctor to understand the potential risks and interactions. In hot weather or during physical activity, be mindful of fluid loss and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you experience excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or loose stools, notify your doctor, as these symptoms can lead to low blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure and are taking this medication, consult with your doctor before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure, such as cough and cold medications, diet pills, stimulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, and certain natural products or supplements.

It is also important to note that this medication may be less effective in lowering blood pressure in Black patients. In some cases, your doctor may need to prescribe an additional medication to achieve the desired effect. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with your doctor.

• Aliskiren (in patients with diabetes or moderate to severe renal impairment)
• Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) - do not co-administer with valsartan alone due to risk of angioedema; a washout period is required when switching.

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride)
• Potassium supplements
• NSAIDs (including selective COX-2 inhibitors) - may reduce antihypertensive effect and increase risk of renal impairment and hyperkalemia.
• Lithium - increased serum lithium concentrations and toxicity.
• Other antihypertensives (e.g., ACE inhibitors, other ARBs, diuretics) - additive hypotensive effects.

• Trimethoprim - increased risk of hyperkalemia.
• Cyclosporine - increased risk of hyperkalemia.
• Tacrolimus - increased risk of hyperkalemia.
• Heparin - increased risk of hyperkalemia.

• Grapefruit juice - theoretical interaction, but not clinically significant for valsartan.

• Dizziness or lightheadedness (especially upon standing)
• Fatigue
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema - rare but serious)
• Signs of hyperkalemia (e.g., muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat)
• Signs of worsening renal function (e.g., decreased urine output, swelling)

Contraindicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to significant risk of fetal injury and death (renal dysfunction, oligohydramnios, skeletal malformations, lung hypoplasia). Use during the first trimester is generally avoided due to potential risks, though less severe than later trimesters. If pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan as soon as possible.

Limited data suggest valsartan is excreted into breast milk in animals; it is unknown if it is excreted in human milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. L3 (Moderately Safe).

Approved for hypertension in children 6-16 years. Safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 6 years or for heart failure/post-MI indications. Dosing is weight-based. Close monitoring of renal function and potassium is crucial.

No overall differences in efficacy or safety have been observed between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Start at the lower end of the dosing range and titrate cautiously, monitoring renal function and potassium closely due to higher likelihood of decreased renal function and polypharmacy.

• Valsartan is an excellent alternative for patients who develop cough with ACE inhibitors, as ARBs generally do not cause this side effect.
• Always check for concomitant use of potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or NSAIDs, as these significantly increase the risk of hyperkalemia and renal dysfunction.
• Educate patients on the importance of avoiding pregnancy while on valsartan due to the severe fetal risks.
• While food decreases absorption, it does not significantly impact clinical efficacy, so consistency in taking it (e.g., always with food or always without) is more important than strict adherence to one or the other.
• In heart failure, valsartan is often used in combination with other agents (e.g., beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists) and requires careful titration to target doses.

• Other Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs): Losartan, Irbesartan, Candesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan, Azilsartan
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Ramipril, Captopril
• Thiazide Diuretics: Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone
• Calcium Channel Blockers: Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Diltiazem, Verapamil
• Beta-blockers: Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Bisoprolol
• Direct Renin Inhibitors: Aliskiren (limited use)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so be sure to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.