Valsartan

What valsartan is for

Valsartan is mainly used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension).

It's a type of medicine called an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).

It’s also used to help treat heart failure.

How to take valsartan

Valsartan can come as tablets, capsules, or a liquid that you swallow.

How much you need to take and for how long depends on why you're taking it, but you'll usually need to take it long-term.

Most people need to take valsartan once or twice a day. Your dose may need to be changed after you've been taking it for several weeks.

Do not stop taking valsartan unless your doctor tells you to.

When taking valsartan:

• take it at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time every day
• take it with water, with or without food

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

Your doctor will arrange for you to have blood tests and blood pressure checks while you’re taking valsartan, to check how it’s affecting your blood pressure and kidneys.

If you get ill with vomiting, diarrhoea or high temp when taking bumetanide, there's a risk you'll get dehydrated.

Talk to a pharmacist or doctor for advice, or follow the advice they've already given you.

If you miss a dose of valsartan

If you forget to take a dose of valsartan, take the next dose as normal.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much valsartan

Taking too much valsartan can be dangerous.

Side effects of valsartan

Like all medicines, valsartan can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of valsartan can include:

• dizziness
• headache
• tummy pain
• feeling tired
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)

Valsartan should not affect your ability to drive, ride a bike or use machinery. However, if you feel dizzy or tired while taking it, wait until you no longer have these side effects.

Serious side effects

Valsartan can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of valsartan can include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) - causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised itchy rash and difficulty breathing
• problems with your liver, causing symptoms such feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), and yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (yellowing can be harder to see on black or brown skin)
• fast or irregular heartbeat, which can feel like your heart is pounding, racing, fluttering or missing a beat
• increased levels of potassium - causing symptoms like muscle weakness or twitching, and feeling like your heart is beating too fast or skipping beats

Who can and cannot take valsartan

Most adults aged 18 years or over can take valsartan. Valsartan may also be suitable for children aged 6 to 17 years old.

Valsartan is not suitable for some people. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• you've had an allergic reaction or serious side effect from other ARB medicines
• you have severe heart failure
• you have problems with your liver or kidneys
• you've had a condition called angioedema in the past, which is where parts of your body swell suddenly

Before taking valsartan, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and valsartan

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding. Valsartan is not usually used while breastfeeding. You doctor may offer a different treatment while you're breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and valsartan

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Valsartan is not usually used during pregnancy. Your doctor may offer you different treatment while you're pregnant.

Find out more about taking ARB medicines, such as valsartan, during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website.

Taking valsartan with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines and supplements that may not mix well with valsartan.

This includes:

• other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, including ACE inhibitors like lisinopril
• some medicines that remove excess fluid from your body through your pee (diuretics), such as spironolactone
• supplements and salt substitutes (used to flavour food) that contain potassium
• some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen
• lithium (used to treat some mental health problems)

This is not the full list of medicines that may not mix well with valsartan. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you’re taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with valsartan

You can generally eat as normal while taking valsartan, but tell your doctor if you regularly eat salt alternatives containing potassium (such as LoSalt) while taking valsartan.

Try to not drink too much alcohol while taking losartan because it can cause side effects such as dizziness, feeling light-headed and dehydration.