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What is the most important information I should know about valsartan?
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Do not take valsartan if you are pregnant or could become pregnant
during treatment. When used during the second and third trimesters of
pregnancy, valsartan can cause injury and even death to the developing
baby. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant. |
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Valsartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If
you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use
caution when rising from a sitting or lying position. |
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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and
increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking valsartan. |
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Valsartan is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor
antagonists. Valsartan prevents the constriction (narrowing) of blood
vessels (veins and arteries). |
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Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), heart
failure and to reduce cardiovascular death in certain heart attack
survivors. |
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Valsartan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in
this medication guide. |
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
valsartan?
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Before taking valsartan, tell your doctor if you |
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are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in
your blood; or |
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are taking a potassium supplement (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con, others) or
a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium,
Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone). |
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You may not be able to take valsartan, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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Valsartan is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is
known to be harmful to an unborn baby. When used during the second and
third trimesters of pregnancy, valsartan can cause injury and even death
to the developing baby. Do not take valsartan if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment. |
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It is not known whether valsartan passes into breast milk. Do not
take valsartan without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take valsartan?
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Take valsartan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to
explain them to you. |
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Take valsartan with a full glass of water. |
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Valsartan can be taken with or without food. |
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Do not stop taking valsartan without first talking to your doctor.
If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse. |
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Your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure or perform other
tests periodically during treatment with valsartan. |
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Store valsartan at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
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What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a valsartan overdose are not well known but may include
dizziness, weakness, fainting, and fatigue. |
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What should I avoid while taking valsartan?
|
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• |
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other
hazardous activities. Valsartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If
you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use
caution when rising from a sitting or lying position. |
|
• |
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and
increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking valsartan. |
|
• |
Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without
first talking to your doctor. Valsartan can affect potassium levels in
the body. |
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What are the possible side effects of this drug?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop
taking valsartan and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency
medical treatment. |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or |
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Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take valsartan and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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diarrhea or upset stomach, |
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congestion or cough (very unlikely). |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect valsartan?
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Before taking valsartan, tell your doctor if you |
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take a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others; |
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· |
take a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor),
spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);
or |
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Valsartan can affect potassium levels in the body. You may not be
able to take valsartan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or
special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. |
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Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take to treat high
blood pressure or another heart condition. Valsartan may cause very low
blood pressure if it is taken with other heart medications. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with valsartan
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before
taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products. |
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Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about valsartan written
for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children. Never share your medicines with others and only use this
medication for the condition prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2005 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision date: 8/
5/ 05. |
