Usage, Dosage, Indication, and Side Effects Of Valsartan – Valsartan is a drug to overcome hypertension and heart failure. In addition, this drug can also be used to protect the heart in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack.
Valsartan works by inhibiting the effect of angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to narrow. Thus, blood vessels can widen and become relaxed, so blood pressure drops and the heart will more easily pump blood throughout the body.
Warning:
- Be careful Giving Valsartan in patients with angioedema, hypotension, and hyperkalemia.
- Valsartan should not be combined with the aliskiren drug or ACE inhibitors such as captopril, due to the risk of causing hypotension, hyperkalemia, and decreased renal function.
- Valsartan is not recommended to be consumed by children under 6 years old.
- If there is an allergic reaction or an overdose after taking Valsartan, immediately meet the doctor.
Contraindication
Pregnancy, lactation, severe hepatic failure, cirrhosis of the liver, obstruction of the bile duct.
The rules of drug use.
Read the instructions on the packaging or follow the instructions from the recommendation of a physician before using Valsartan drugs.
These drugs can be taken with or without food. Usually one or two times a day or according to the direction of the doctor.
Dosages are administered according to medical conditions. Use this medication to finish before you do not stop this medication if you feel healthy, because people with high blood pressure do not feel pain.
Tell the doctor if the condition is worsening or not improving.
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Valsartan Dosage and Indications
For hypertension
- 80-160 mg/day per oral
- Maintenance Dose: 80-320 mg/day PO
For congestive heart failure
- 40 mg PO every 12 hours
- Maintenance Dose: 40-160 mg PO every 12 hours; not exceeding 320 mg/day.
In post-therapy myocardial infarction due to cardiac left ventricular dysfunction
- Can be started > 12 hours after myocardial infarction (MI)
- 20 mg PO every 12 hours initially, 12 hours after MI, then increased to 40 mg PO every 12 hours within 7 days
- Maintenance: Titrated 160 mg PO every 12 hours
Giving
Although food can decrease absorption (40%), the drug manufacturers declare medications can be administered without having to pay attention to the food. The drug can also be administered in combination with Hydrochlorothyazide (Diovan HCT) or amlodipine (Exforge).
Side Effects Of Valsartan
Each drug usage always has certain side effects. Side effects do not necessarily occur in any application of the drug, but if there are excessive side effects, it should be directly handled by the medical.
Valsartan drugs can cause frequent side effects when consumed such as:
- Dizziness,
- Gastrointestinal: abdominal pain, diarrhea.
- Cough,
- Back pain.
- Allergic reactions: hypersensitivity reactions, angioedema.
- Hematology: neutropenia.
- Musculoskeletal: arthralgia.
If the side effects of Valsartan are worsening immediately contact your doctor for medical treatment.
Seek medical help immediately if side effects occur infrequently, but are serious like:
- Cardiovascular: Hypotension
- Viral infections
- Unusual fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Urology: hyperkalemia, hematuria.
- Increased blood urea-nitrogen and creatinine blood
There are some other side effects that are not yet listed. If you have any other effects like the above, check with your health care professional.
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Drug interactions
Valsartan interacts with diuretics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and lithium. A potentially fatal interaction is when administered with an aliskiren in diabetic patients and cardiac disorders. The interactions of this drug are caused because all of these drugs have an effect on the afferent arterioles and glomerular complex efferents.
Potassium-sparing diuretics
Valsartan interacts with potassium-sparing diuretic medication (e.g. Spironolactone) because it can increase serum potassium levels and serum creatinine in patients with heart failure.
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs
Coadministration of Valsartan and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, potentially eliminates antihypertensive effects and increases the risk of renal impairment.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors
Coadministration of Valsartan with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) such as captopril, risk of exacerbating renal impairment, hyperkalemia, and hypotension.
Lithium
Coadministration of Valsartan and lithium increases the risk of lithium toxicity due to increased serum lithium levels.
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