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Exforge HCT (Generic Valsartan)

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WARNING

If you are pregnant or want to become pregnant, let your doctor know. If you are pregnant, avoid taking valsartan. If you become pregnant while using valsartan, notify your doctor right away and stop taking the medication. When used throughout the latter six months of pregnancy, valsartan can result in the fetus’s death or severe damage.

Why is this medication prescribed?

When treating high blood pressure in adults and children 1 year of age and older, valsartan may be used alone or in conjunction with other drugs. Moreover, it is used to treat heart failure in adults and to increase survival rates following cardiac attacks. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to the body. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which include valsartan, are a group of medicines. It functions by preventing the tightening of blood arteries caused by several natural chemicals, allowing blood to flow more freely and the heart to pump more effectively.

High blood pressure is a common illness that, if left untreated, can harm the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke, renal failure, eyesight loss, and other issues may result from damage to these organs. Making lifestyle modifications will help you control your blood pressure in addition to taking medication. These adjustments include quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a diet low in fat and salt, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

How should this medicine be used?

Both a pill and a liquid suspension of valsartan are available for oral use. The tablet or suspension is typically given once day, with or without food, to treat excessive blood pressure. Usually taken twice daily, with or without food, it is used to treat heart failure or heart attacks. Valsartan should be taken every day at about the same time(s) to help you remember to take it. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the prescription for valsartan strictly. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Before each usage, shake the suspension vigorously for at least 10 seconds to evenly distribute the drug.

Each valsartan product has a separate mechanism of action and cannot be taken interchangeably. Do not change to a different valsartan product unless your doctor instructs you to do so; only take the valsartan medication that your doctor has given. If you are under the age of five or are unable to swallow pills, your doctor may advise you to take valsartan suspension.

Your doctor might prescribe you a low dose of valsartan and then gradually raise it.

Valsartan does not treat heart failure or high blood pressure; it only manages them. It may take up to 4 weeks for you to fully experience the benefits of valsartan, even though your blood pressure may drop during the first 2 weeks of your treatment. Even if you feel well, keep taking valsartan. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking valsartan.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your chemist or doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

Moreover, valsartan is occasionally used to treat diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease in people with diabetes and high blood pressure). The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking valsartan,

  • If you have an allergy to valsartan, any other medications, or any of the chemicals in valsartan tablets, let your doctor and chemist know right once.
    If you are taking aliskiren and have diabetes (high blood sugar), let your doctor know (Tekturna, in Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tekturna HCT). If you have diabetes and are also taking aliskiren, your doctor generally won’t let you take valsartan.
  • Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal items, nutritional supplements, and other drugs you are now taking or intend to take. Don’t forget to mention these things: ACE inhibitors include benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten, in Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, the following medications: lisinopril (in Prinzide and Zestoretic), moexipril (in Uniretic and Univasc), perindopril (in Aceon), quinapril (in Accuretic and Quinaretic), ramipril (in Altace), and trandolapril (in Mavik and Tarka); aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and celecoxib (Celebrex), as well as selective COX-2 inhibitors; diuretics (often known as “water pills”), such as potassium-sparing diuretics such amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, in Aldactazide), and triamterene (Dyrenium, in Dyazide, in Maxzide); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); various drugs to treat heart disease or high blood pressure, including gemfibrozil (Lopid); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), potassium supplements, and ritonavir (Norvir). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
  • Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, renal, or liver illness as well as any obstruction of the bile duct (condition in which bile cannot pass from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine due to gallstones, tumours, or damage).
  • If you are breastfeeding, let your doctor know. While receiving valsartan treatment, refrain from breastfeeding.
  • You should be aware that valsartan may result in lightheadedness, fainting, and dizziness if you stand up suddenly from a laying position. When you initially start taking valsartan, this happens more frequently. Get out of bed gradually and rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up to help prevent this issue.
  • You should be aware that a reduction in blood pressure might result from diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration, and excessive perspiration, which can make you feel faint and dizzy. If you have any of these issues or if any emerge while you are receiving treatment, let your doctor know.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Without consulting your doctor, avoid using potassium-containing salt alternatives. If your doctor advises a low-salt or low-sodium diet, strictly follow the instructions.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

There may be adverse effects from valsartan. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Headache
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Back ache
  • Joints hurt
  • Hazy vision
  • Cough
  • Rash

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms or any of those detailed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section:

  • Edoema of the lower legs, hands, feet, ankles, or face, neck, tongue, lips, eyes, or mouth
  • Hoarseness
  • Difficulties swallowing or breathing
  • Unjustified weight gain

Further negative effects of valsartan are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication out of the reach of children and tightly closed in the original container. Keep the pills at room temperature and away from sources of extreme heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). The suspension needs to be thrown away after 30 days at room temperature or 75 days in a refrigerator.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Swift or gradual heartbeat

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. Your reaction to valsartan should be monitored by routine blood pressure checks.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Diovan®
  • Prexxartan
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