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Valsartan is an organic chemical compound used in cardiology. It is prescribed to treat high blood pressure and diabetic kidney disease. It can be used by adults as well as children and adolescents from 6 to 18 years of age. Valsartan is given to people who have recently had a heart attack. The substance is used in the treatment of symptomatic heart failure (in conjunction with other drugs) – if the patient cannot take ACE drugs (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) or drugs that block ß-adrenergic receptors. The substance is in the form of preparations with different names, such as .in. Valsartan Arrow and Valsartan Ranbaxy.
Valsartan – dosage
The drug can be taken with or without food. The entire tablet should be washed down with a glass of plain water.
The dosage is determined by the attending physician.
Hypertensive patients initially take 80 mg of valsartan once daily. The effect of the drug is visible after 2 weeks of use, and the maximum effectiveness of the preparation is achieved after 4 weeks. In some patients the dose may be increased to 160 mg. The maximum daily dose is 320 mg. Concomitant use of a diuretic will result in a greater reduction in the patient’s blood pressure.
Patients who have just had a heart attack and are clinically stable can start treatment with valsartan as early as 12 hours after the diagnosis of the heart attack. The starting dose is 20 mg valsartan twice a day. Over the next few weeks, the dose is gradually increased to 40, 80 and 160 mg of active ingredient twice daily. The maximum dose is 160 mg twice daily (320 mg total). It should be introduced within 3 months, depending on the patient’s tolerance to the drug. Dose reduction should be considered if symptoms of hypotension or renal dysfunction occur. Valsartan can be taken by patients who are taking other drugs to treat myocardial infarction (including thrombolytics, beta blockers, acetylsalicylic acid, diuretics and statins). The concomitant use of valsartan with ACE inhibitors is not recommended.
Patients with heart failure initially take 40 mg of valsartan twice daily. The dose is then increased at two-week intervals to 80 and 160 mg twice a day, until the highest dose is tolerated by the patient. The maximum daily dose is 320 mg in divided doses.
In patients with hepatic impairment, the maximum daily dose should not exceed 80 mg of valsartan.
Valsartan – contraindications to the use of the drug
Contraindication to the use of the drug is the patient’s allergy to valsartan or auxiliary substances of the preparation, as well as: liver or kidney disorders, aldosteronism (production of too much aldosterone by the adrenal glands), increased blood potassium levels, dehydration.
Tell your doctor about any other drugs you are taking to lower blood pressure, drugs that increase the level of potassium in your blood (such as potassium-sparing drugs or heparin, potassium supplements, and salt substitutes that contain potassium), lithium preparations and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, the doctor should know about all medications currently or recently taken, including over-the-counter medications. The doctor should be informed by women who are or think they are pregnant and breastfeeding (the drug should not be used during breastfeeding).
Valsartan – side effects
Like other medicines, Valsartan may or may not cause side effects. Commonly after its use: drop in blood pressure and the accompanying symptoms (dizziness, fainting upon suddenly standing up), renal dysfunction. Angioedema, dizziness (spinning), sudden loss of consciousness, severe renal impairment (symptoms of acute renal failure), arrhythmias (as symptoms of hyperkalaemia), muscle spasms, difficulty breathing while lying down, dyspnoea, edema have been reported uncommonly. feet and legs (as a symptom of heart failure), cough, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, headache, weakness, tiredness.
Valsartan – substitutes
Valsartan is found in other simple preparations, such as: Apo-Valsart, Avasart, Valsotens, Diovan, Nortivan, Tensart.
Combined preparations with valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide (an antihypertensive drug, HCT in short) include: Co-Diovan, ApoValsart HCT, Valsotens HCT, Tensart HCT, Co-Bespres, Co-Valsaco, Exforge.