Valsartan (Systemic)
Brand Names : Diovan
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor
will make. For valsartan, the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to valsartan. Also tell your health care professional if
you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or
dyes.
Pregnancy - Use of valsartan during pregnancy, especially during
the second and third trimesters (after the first 3 months) can cause low blood
pressure, severe kidney failure, or even death in the newborn. Therefore, it is important that you check with your doctor immediately if
you think that you may have become pregnant.
Be sure that you have
discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether valsartan passes into breast
milk. However, valsartan passes into the milk of lactating rats. Because this
medicine may cause serious side effects, breast-feeding is generally not recommended
while you are taking it.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult
patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of valsartan
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested in patients 65 years
of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or
problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, blood levels
of valsartan and the time it takes for it to be eliminated from the body are
increased in the elderly. Additionally, elderly patients may be more sensitive
to its effects.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
valsartan, it is especially important that your health care professional know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Diuretics (water pills) - Effects on blood pressure may be increased
-
Potassium-sparing medicines, potassium supplements, or potassium-containing
salt substitutes - May increase blood potassium levels
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of valsartan. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Dehydration - Blood pressure-lowering effects of valsartan may
be increased.
-
Kidney disease - Effects of valsartan may make this condition
worse.
-
Liver disease - Effects of valsartan may be increased because
of slower removal of medicine from the body.
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