Details

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. Valsartan is also used in adults to treat heart failure, and to lower the risk of death after a heart attack. Valsartan is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. To make sure valsartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis) liver disease a heart condition other than one being treated with valsartan if you are on a low-salt-diet if you are dehydrated or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any blood pressure medication. Valsartan should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old. Valsartan should not be used in pregnancy.

Typical Uses

Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It is also used to improve the chance of living longer after a heart attack. In people with heart failure, it may also lower the chance of having to go to the hospital for heart failure. Valsartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This drug may also be used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.

Side Effects

Common valsartan side effects may include shortness of breath (even with mild exertion) little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain weakness, confusion, increased thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out or high potassium slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling. In rare cases, valsartan can cause a condition which results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure.

Drug Interactions

• Valsartan+amiloride- Using amiloride together with valsartan may increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest. You may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia while using these medications if you are elderly, dehydrated, or have kidney disease, diabetes, or advanced heart failure.
• Valsartan+benazepril- Using benazepril together with valsartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest. You may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia while taking these medications if you are elderly, dehydrated, or have kidney disease, diabetes, or advanced heart failure.
• Valsartan+moexipril- Using moexipril together with valsartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest. You may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia while taking these medications if you are elderly, dehydrated, or have kidney disease, diabetes, or advanced heart failure.
• Valsartan+tizanidine- Tizanidine and valsartan may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may

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Mechanism of action

Valsartan belongs to group of medicines called angiotensin-II receptor inhibitors. Angiotensin II is a chemical that causes muscles surrounding the blood vessels to contract, thereby narrowing the blood vessels. Valsartan blocks the action of angiotensin II resulting in relaxation of blood vessels, and thus, reduces blood pressure.

Pregnancy Category : D