What is valsartan?
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.
Valsartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about valsartan?
Do not use valsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking valsartan.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to valsartan.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of valsartan.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
In rare cases, valsartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking valsartan?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to valsartan.
To make sure you can safely take valsartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
heart disease; or
if you are dehydrated.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use valsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking valsartan.
It is not known whether valsartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using valsartan.