Valzaar 160mg (Valsartan)

Valzaar general information

What is Valzaar used for?

Valzaar tablets 160 mg are used to treat hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest. Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease and Valzaar tablets reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, by lowering blood pressure to normal resting levels which helps the heart to cope better, reducing symptoms of breathlessness on exertion and also increasing life expectancy. Valzaar tablets 160 mg are also used to treat patients with heart failure and patients who have had a heart attack, to improve survival and prevent further damage to the heart.

How does Valzaar work?

Valzaar tablets 160 mg contain valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which acts by blocking the binding of the hormone angiotensin II to its receptor in a variety of tissues including vascular smooth muscle (blood vessel walls) and kidney cells. Angiotensin II is a naturally produced hormone that has several actions involved in regulating blood pressure, which is the force needed to pump blood around the body, as well as fluid balance, the amount of water removed from the blood by the kidneys. Angiotensin II causes salt (sodium and potassium) and water retention by the kidneys, and causes blood vessels to constrict (narrow); this increases blood volume while at the same time reducing blood vessel volume, which increases blood pressure. Valsartan in Valzaar tablets 160 mg blocks the binding of Angiotensin II to its receptor, preventing its pressor actions (blood pressure increasing) resulting in dilation (widening) of blood vessel and increased amount of salt and water removed by the kidneys into the urine, which lowers blood pressure.

What does Valzaar contain?

Valzaar tablets 160 mg contains the active ingredient; valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which is used to lower blood pressure.

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Valzaar

Valzaar tablets 160 mg contains valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that is used to treat hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest, in people with high blood pressure who are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack. Valsartan in Valzaar tablets 160 mg blocks the action of angiotensin II, a naturally produced hormone that has several actions involved in regulating blood pressure, and works by preventing the binding of angiotensin II to its receptor in vascular smooth muscle (blood vessel walls), where it causes constriction (narrowing); and in the kidneys, where it causes salt and water retention. Valzaar tablets 160 mg increase urine volume, decreases blood volume and increases blood vessel volume, all of which reduce the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, and lowers blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure helps the heart to cope better, reducing symptoms of breathlessness on exertion and also increasing life expectancy in people with high blood pressure, who are at risk of cardiovascular disease.

What are the side effects of Valzaar?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Valzaar tablets 160 mg include: viral infections and upper respiratory tract infections, like sinusitis or pharyngitis, dizziness, cough, diarrhoea, abdomina; pain, headache, fatigue, back pain, nausea, changes in blood salts,.

When should Valzaar not be used?

You should not use Valzaar if you:

• are allergic to valsartan or any ingredients in Valzaar tablets 160 mg
• are allergic to sulphonamides
• are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breast-feeding
• have liver or kidney disease
• are taking medications that interact with Valzaar, including: other antihypertensives, diuretics like furosemide, potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone, potassium tablets or potassium-containing salt substitutes, corticosteroids like, prednisone, cimetidine for ulcers, sulfonylurea diabetic medications like glibenclamide, lithium for mood swings, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• are taking Co-trimoxazole (Sulphamexthoxazole/Trimethoprim) [Trusul/Bactrim DS]

What medications interact with Valzaar?

Several medications interact with Valzaar and should either not be taken while you are taking Valzaar or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that increase side effects: other antihypertensives, diuretics like furosemide
• Drugs that affect Valzaar: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cimetidine for ulcers, sulfonylurea diabetic medications like glibenclamide
• Drugs that are affected by Valzaar:, potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone, , potassium tablets or potassium-containing salt substitutes, lithium for mood swings

How should Valzaar be taken?

You should take your Valzaar tablets 160mg with a glass of water, with or without food once a day, at the same time each day. Valzaar tablets 160mg will help control your blood pressure but will not cure it, so you should continue to take your Valzaar tablets 160mg for as long as your doctor recommends, to keep your blood pressure down to normal levels.

How long should you take Valzaar?

Valzaar tablets 160/12 will help control your blood pressure but will not cure it, so you should continue to take your Valzaar tablets 160 mg for as long as your doctor recommends to keep your blood pressure down to normal levels.

Missed dose of Valzaar

If you miss a dose of Valzaar tablets 160 mg, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Valzaar be stored?

You should keep your Valzaar tablets 160 mg in their blister packs until use and store below 30°C in a cool dry place.