Valsartan (Systemic)

Brand name(s): Diovan

Before Using This Medicine

In 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:

• ACE inhibitors (high blood pressure medicine) (enalapril [e.g., Vasotec], lisinopril [e.g., Zestril], ramipril [e.g., Altace]) or
• Beta blockers (high blood pressure medicine) (metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard], sotalol [e.g., Betapace])-Taking valsartan with both of these medicines can make your heart failure worse
• 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.

• Heart failure or problems-May cause a decrease in blood pressure

• 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.

Last Revised: 02/04/2005