Valsartan (Valzetor)®

Pharmaceutical form:

80 mg and 160 mg scored tablets

What is Valsartan (Valzetor^®) used for?

Valzetor® is a prescription medicine used in:

• Adults and children 1 year of age and older to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). Valzetor® may be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medicines.
• Adults to treat heart failure. Valzetor® may help decrease your need for hospitalization that happens with heart failure.
• To increase the chance of living longer after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) in clinically stable adult patients with ventricular dysfunction.

Important points before taking Valsartan (Valzetor^®):

• You should not take Valzetor^® tablets if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to the active ingredient (Valsartan) or any of the other ingredients. 
• Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, if you have heart problems or have kidney problems
• Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and over- the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• Other medicines for high blood pressure or a heart problem
• Water pills (also called “diuretics”)

• Potassium-containing medicines, potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium. Your healthcare provider may check the amount of potassium in your blood regularly.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Lithium. Your healthcare provider will check the amount of lithium in your blood regularly.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed

• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes and are also taking aliskiren.

Important points when taking Valsartan (Valzetor^®):

• Take Valzetor^® tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
• Take Valzetor^® tablets with or without food.

• If you take too much Valzetor^®, call your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

• If you get pregnant while taking Valzetor^®, tell your doctor right away.
• You should not stop taking Valzetor^® without talking to your healthcare provider. 

Side effects of Valsartan (Valzetor^®):

Valzetor^® tablets may cause serious side effects, including:

• Low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure can happen with Valzetor^®, especially when you first start taking it and can cause you to feel lightheaded. Feeling lightheaded is most likely to happen if you:
• Take water pills
• Are on a low-salt diet
• Get dialysis treatments
• Do not drink enough liquids
• Are dehydrated (decreased body fluids) due to vomiting and diarrhea
• You sweat excessively
• Have heart problems

Lie down, if you feel lightheaded, dizzy or faint. Call your healthcare provider right away.

• Kidney problems. Kidney problems may get worse in people that already have kidney disease or heart problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check for this.
• Increased potassium in your blood. Some people may develop increased potassium in the blood during treatment with Valzetor^®. Your doctor may do a blood test to check your potassium levels as needed.

The most common side effects of Valzetor^® when used to treat people with high blood pressure include:

• headache
• dizziness
• flu symptoms
• tiredness
• stomach (abdominal) pain

The most common side effects of Valzetor^® when used to treat people with heart failure include:

• dizziness
• low blood pressure
• diarrhea
• joint and back pain
• tiredness
• high blood potassium

What can I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store Valzetor^® tablets at room temperature between 20°C to 25°C.
• Keep Valzetor^® tablets container tightly closed and in a dry place to protect from moisture.
• Keep Valzetor^® and all medicines out of the reach of children.