Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: VALSARTAN (val-SAR-tan)
This medicine is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for treating high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is used to treat heart failure. It is used in certain patients to decrease the risk of death after a heart attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: This medicine may cause injury or death to the fetus if used during pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, celecoxib, ibuprofen, indomethacin), or lithium. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have a history of angioedema (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, lisinopril); heart problems (eg, heart failure); blood vessel problems; blood flow problems; liver or kidney problems; gallbladder problems; diabetes; stroke; recent heart attack; allergies; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you are able to become pregnant; dehydrated or have low blood volume; have electrolyte problems (eg, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels) or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet; on dialysis; or scheduled to have major surgery. Tell your doctor if you take another medicine for blood pressure or heart problems. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are pregnant or if the patient is a child with severe kidney problems. This medicine should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET is available with this medicine. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. TAKE THIS MEDICINE by mouth with or without food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE THIS MEDICINE ON A REGULAR SCHEDULE to get the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. LAB TESTS, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, and heart, kidney, or liver function, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, FAINTING, OR BLURRED VISION; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT CALLED ANGIOEDEMA. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness. THIS MEDICINE MAY NOT WORK AS WELL in black patients. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. DEHYDRATION, EXCESSIVE SWEATING, VOMITING, OR DIARRHEA may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE YOU USE a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST that you take this medicine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. PATIENTS WHO TAKE MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS OR FETAL DEATH if you take it while you are pregnant. IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor right away. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use this medicine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; dizziness; headache; joint or back pain; mild flu-like symptoms; stomach pain; or tiredness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience blurred vision; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark urine; difficulty swallowing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fainting; muscle pain or cramps; severe or persistent stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, lightheadedness, severe dizziness); unusual bruising or bleeding; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat or severe dizziness.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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