VALSATOR 40 Tablet 10's

INTRODUCTION

VALSATOR 40 contains Valsartan which belongs to the group of medicines called Angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults, children and adolescents (6years to less than 18 years). Hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the blood vessel walls is too high which is characterized by headache, irregular heartbeat, vision changes, feeling of overtiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain. It is also used to treat adult patients with recent heart attack (blockage of blood flow to heart muscle with the symptoms of tightness or pain in chest, neck, back or arms, fatigue) and symptomatic heart failure (a condition where the pumping of heart is inadequate to meet body’s need which is characterized by shortness of breath, fatigue, fast heartbeat).

Valsartan makes blood vessels to relax, reduces the cardiac output and thus lowers the blood pressure by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II (a substance produced in your body which causes narrowing of blood vessels). Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (Ex. potassium) in your body prior to the treatment or at regular intervals along with the treatment.

VALSATOR 40 is not recommended for use in patients having severe liver disease. It should be used in caution with patient having kidney, liver, and heart problems. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your doctor for advice before taking VALSATOR 40. It should be used with caution in children and adolescent of 6 years to less than18 years age. VALSATOR 40 should be used with caution in patients above 65years of age. The most common side effects of taking VALSATOR 40 is low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhea. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.

USES OF VALSATOR 40

• Treats high blood pressure in adults, children and adolescents (6years to less than 18years of age
• Treats adult patients after a recent heart attack
• Treats symptomatic heart failure in adult patients

HOW VALSATOR 40 WORKS

VALSATOR 40 makes blood vessels to relax, reduces the cardiac output and thus lowers the blood pressure by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II (substance produced in your body which causes narrowing of blood vessels).

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take VALSATOR 40 as advised by your physician. Swallow this medicine, do not crush, or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF VALSATOR 40

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or Vomiting:

Take this medicine with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. Avoid drinking too much liquid along with your meals, drink slowly in between meals. Consult your doctor if your symptom does not improve

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor.

Dizziness:

When you feel dizzy, lie, or sit down immediately, if you're experiencing a severe episode of vertigo, lie in a dark and quite place with eyes closed. Vehicle driving should be avoided if you experience frequent dizziness without warning. Talk to your doctor if the symptom worsens.

Headache:

Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head. Try taking rest in a quiet and dark room. Drink tea or coffee. Massage with mild pressure on scalp or head. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Tiredness:

Drink plenty of fluid and eat balanced diet and frequent meals. Do regular minimal exercise and follow regular sleep schedule. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug - Drug interactions:

Before taking VALSATOR 40, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• angiotensin II receptor blockers used to treat high blood pressure (Ex. Telmisartan, losartan, valsartan)     
• aliskiren or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure (Ex. enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril)
• diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (used to treat oedema or high blood pressure)
• beta blockers like atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol (medicine used to manage abnormal heart rhythms)
• potassium supplements and potassium-containing salt substitutes that rise the potassium level in body
• heparin (medicine used to prevent blood clot)
• mineralocorticoid receptors antagonists like spironolactone, eplerenone (medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – medicines used to treat pain and inflammation (Ex. aspirin, ibuprofen)
• rifamycin (medicine used against bacterial infections)
• ciclosporin which is used to protect against transplant rejection
• ritonavir (medicine used to treat HIV/AIDS infection)
• medicines containing lithium (used to treat some types of depression)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of VALSATOR 40, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. The most common symptom of overdose are severe dizziness and fainting.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep VALSATOR 40 out of reach of children
• Store at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT VALSATOR 40

Can VALSATOR 40 be used to treat high blood pressure?

VALSATOR 40 can be considered as a drug of choice for high blood pressure. It contains Valsartan which helps to relax the blood vessels and then normalize the blood pressure. Although, VALSATOR 40 can treat high blood pressure, your doctor might treat you with other drugs depending upon your condition.

Can VALSATOR 40 be given to children?

VALSATOR 40 can be used with caution in children and adolescents (6years to less than 18 years of age) who are having high blood pressure. Duration and dose to be taken will be adjusted depending on the body weight. Consult your physician before taking VALSATOR 40.

What happens if I stop taking VALSATOR 40?

Do not stop taking VALSATOR 40 without talking to your doctor first. Stopping this medicine suddenly can cause your blood pressure to spike and may increase the risk for heart attack or heart failure.

Can heart patients take VALSATOR 40?

VALSATOR 40 should be taken with caution in patients having severe heart disease and also in patients who have an history of heart attack or heart failure. Before taking VALSATOR 40 consult with your doctor.

Does VALSATOR 40 affects the kidney?

One of the common side effects of VALSATOR 40 is impaired kidney function with signs such as loss of appetite, decreased urinary output, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness, sleep problems, reduced urine output, muscle cramps. Consult your physician before taking VALSATOR 40.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Drugs Affecting Renin Angiotensin System. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 536-538.

2. Ivo Abraham, Karen MacDonald, Christine Hermans, Ann Aerts, Christopher Lee, Heidi Brié and Stefaan Vancayzeele. Real-world effectiveness of valsartan on hypertension and total cardiovascular risk: review and implications of a translational research program. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubMed Central. March 2011. [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072745/

3. Qi-Fang Huang, Yan Li, and Ji-Guang Wang. Overview of clinical use and side effect profile of valsartan in Chinese hypertensive patients. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubMed Central. December2013. [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3883632/

4. Novartis Farma S.p.A. Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). [Revised in November 2021] [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/15a33c68-6eca-4aeb-aba4-a39d15ba6d2f.pdf

5. Gerard Laboratories. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in January 2020] [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8184/pil#gref

6. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. U.S. Food & Drug Administration [Revised in January 2017] [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021283s50lbl.pdf

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Kidney function test
• Electrolyte test