Valsartan Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Valsartan Tablet (generic name Valsartan) is a prescription medicine belonging to the angiotensin II AT1 receptor blocker (ARB) class. It is used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions, including reducing the risk of death after a heart attack and treating chronic heart failure in patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors. It works by blocking angiotensin II, allowing blood vessels to relax and lowering blood pressure. It is available as tablets and an oral solution/suspension.

What is Valsartan Tablet

Valsartan is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). It is used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions.

Valsartan Tablet uses

• To treat mild to moderate high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults, alone or combined with diuretics (water pills)
• To reduce the risk of death after a heart attack in clinically stable patients with signs or symptoms of heart problems, when an ACE inhibitor is not appropriate
• To treat chronic heart failure in patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors

Benefits of Valsartan Tablet

• Lowers high blood pressure, which reduces the risk of stroke, heart failure, and kidney problems
• Can increase the chance of living longer after a heart attack in certain patients
• Can decrease the need for hospitalization due to worsening heart failure

How Valsartan Tablet works

Valsartan blocks a substance called angiotensin II from attaching to receptors in blood vessels. Angiotensin II normally causes blood vessels to tighten and raises blood pressure. By blocking this effect, valsartan allows blood vessels to relax, which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.

Valsartan Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Valsartan can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each day, at about the same time every day; if taken once daily, it is preferably taken in the morning. If you take diuretics (water pills), your healthcare professional may ask you to stop them temporarily a few days before starting this medicine. If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time; do not double doses. For liquid suspension for children, shake the bottle well for at least 10 seconds before measuring the dose. Swallow tablets with a glass of water.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, 320 mg)
• Oral solution/suspension

Side effects of Valsartan Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness/fatigue
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain
• Cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, respiratory tract infection
• Back pain, joint pain, muscle pain or weakness
• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• Impotence or decreased sexual desire
• Drowsiness or sleep problems
• Nosebleed
• Changes in taste
• Itchy skin
• Swelling of hands, arms, legs, or feet
• High blood potassium

Serious

• Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat with difficulty breathing or swallowing)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension), especially after the first dose, causing dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness
• Kidney problems, including decreased urination, kidney failure
• Liver problems (yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of appetite)
• Increased potassium levels in the blood (irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness)
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown): muscle tenderness, weakness, tea-colored urine
• Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels): purplish-red spots, fever, itching
• Decreased platelets: bruising, unusual bleeding, fatigue
• Anemia: fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, pale complexion
• Decreased white blood cells: infections, fever, flu-like symptoms
• Serious skin reactions: blistering, peeling skin, mouth or eye sores, fever
• Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy because it can seriously harm or even cause death to an unborn baby. 
• If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, stop taking it right away and tell your healthcare professional immediately.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to a nursing infant, you and your doctor should decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop the medicine.
• This medicine can cause kidney problems, especially in people who already have kidney disease, severe heart failure, or narrowing of the arteries to the kidneys. 
• Your doctor will monitor your kidney function before and during treatment.
• People with mild to moderate liver disease have about twice the exposure to this medicine as healthy people, so caution should be used when giving it to these patients.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting, especially after the first dose or when your dose is increased. Wait until you know how the medicine affects you before driving or operating machinery.
• Angioedema, a serious swelling reaction that can affect the airway, has been reported with this medicine. If it develops, stop taking the medicine immediately and get emergency help.
• This medicine can cause low blood pressure, sometimes even after the first dose. This is more likely in people who are dehydrated, on diuretics, or have heart failure or recent heart attack.
• Do not use this medicine together with medicines containing aliskiren if you have diabetes or kidney disease, as this combination is not recommended and can increase risk of serious problems.
• Some batches of valsartan made by certain manufacturers were found to be contaminated with cancer-causing substances (NDMA and NDEA), which led to lawsuits. This affected specific generic products, not all valsartan.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor, as stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (15°C-25°C)
• Protect from humidity and heat
• Do not take past the expiry date shown on the pack
• Keep out of reach and sight of children
• Liquid suspension can be stored at room temperature for up to 30 days, or refrigerated for up to 75 days

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical help right away if you notice swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Get medical help immediately if you feel very dizzy, faint, or lightheaded, especially when standing up.
• Contact your doctor right away if you notice signs of kidney problems such as decreased urination, swelling, unusual tiredness, or dark urine.
• Seek medical help if you have signs of liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or stomach pain.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or your local poison control center right away, even without symptoms.
• Get medical help if you develop signs of a serious skin reaction, such as blistering or peeling skin, mouth sores, or fever.

Alternatives

• Valsartan combined with sacubitril
• Valsartan combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
• Valsartan combined with amlodipine
• Valsartan combined with amlodipine and HCTZ
• Valsartan combined with nebivolol (discontinued)
• Diovan