Valsartan is a powerful drug that manages several serious conditions, including high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. Valsartan substantially reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure, whatever time patients take it. Patients who took valsartan before bedtime saw a substantial rise in their diurnal-nocturnal ratio. The medication works well but comes with risks like fatigue, dizziness, and elevated blood potassium levels.

What is Valsartan?

Valsartan is part of the ARB medication family that blocks the angiotensin II receptor. Doctors often prescribe it when other medicines cause an annoying dry cough. The drug works better when combined with amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, or sacubitril. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. Valsartan is a prescription medicine that is available as tablets, capsules, and liquid forms.

How Does Valsartan Work?

The medicine stops angiotensin II from binding to AT1 receptors in blood vessels and other tissues. Your blood vessels relax and widen as a result. This makes blood flow easier and puts less strain on your heart.

Uses of Valsartan

Valsartan treats high blood pressure and helps manage heart failure. The drug prevents complications after heart attacks and helps with diabetic kidney disease. Heart failure patients who take it have a lower risk of going to the hospital.

How & When to Take Valsartan?

• People with high blood pressure should take it once daily, while heart failure patients need it twice daily. 

• You should see results within two weeks, but the full benefits show up after four weeks. 

• You can take it with or without food.

• Take your medicine at the same time each day to maintain steady blood pressure control.

Side Effects of Valsartan

Common reactions include:

• Dizziness 

• Headaches 

• Fatigue

• Nausea and stomach discomfort

• Joint or muscle pain.

Severe side effects:

• Severe low blood pressure

• Kidney issues

• Hyperkalemia

• Allergic reactions.

Can I Take Valsartan Daily?

Taking valsartan daily keeps blood levels steady. Most people need to stay on the treatment long-term, maybe even for life. Blood pressure might spike if you stop suddenly, so always talk to your doctor first.

What Precautions Are to Be Taken While Using Valsartan?

• People with kidney issues should tell their doctor about their condition.

• Pregnant women should not take valsartan because it might harm the baby. 

• Stay away from potassium supplements and salt substitutes that contain potassium. 

• Diabetic patients who are taking aliskiren should tell their doctor as this may increase the side effects of valsartan.

• Call your doctor right away if you have severe vomiting or diarrhoea you might need to adjust your dose.

Dosage for Valsartan

Adult patients with high blood pressure usually start with 80-160mg once daily, which might increase to 320mg. Patients with heart failure begin with 40mg twice daily and gradually work up to 160mg twice daily. After heart attacks, patients start with 20mg twice daily, with possible increases to 160mg twice daily.

A child's dosage depends on their weight. 

Children between 18-34.9kg - 40-80mg once daily

Children between 35-79.9kg - 80-160mg once daily.

What If You Missed a Dose?

You should take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, you should skip the missed dose if it's almost time for your next one. You must not double your dose to catch up.

What If You Overdose?

An overdose can lead to dizziness, fainting, or irregular heartbeat. You need to call emergency services right away if you experience these symptoms.

Caution With Other Drugs: Interactions

You need extra care when taking:

• Other blood pressure medicines, especially aliskiren

• Pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen

• Potassium supplements or salt substitutes

• Lithium used for mental health conditions

Let your doctor know about all your medications, including any herbal supplements.

Valsartan vs Losartan

Valsartan and losartan help control high blood pressure in similar ways. These popular angiotensin receptor blockers have some key differences that set them apart.

Clinical trials show that both medicines can effectively lower blood pressure. Valsartan remains active for 24 hours at any dose, but losartan might not last all day at lower doses (25mg or 50mg). This explains why doctors prescribe losartan twice daily for some patients, while a single daily dose of valsartan does the job.

Research shows that valsartan 160mg works better than losartan 100mg at reducing blood pressure. This makes losartan a better choice for patients with gout or kidney problems.

These medications have different approved uses. Valsartan treats high blood pressure in children as young as one year old, helps with heart failure, and reduces the risk of complications after heart attacks. Losartan treats high blood pressure in children from age six, helps with diabetic kidney disease, and reduces stroke risk in certain patients.

Both medicines share similar side effects, with dizziness being most common. Pregnant women should not take either medication. The choice between these medications comes down to each patient's health needs, age, and specific conditions that need treatment.

FAQs

1. What is Valsartan used for?

   Doctors use valsartan to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This medication works effectively for heart failure treatment and helps reduce cardiovascular death risk after heart attacks. Doctors prescribe it for diabetic kidney disease, especially when you have reactions to ACE inhibitors.

2. How does Valsartan help control blood pressure?

   Valsartan blocks angiotensin II from attaching to AT1 receptors. This action keeps blood vessels relaxed and open instead of tightening. Blood pressure drops within hours and most patients see results within 2 hours, with maximum effect between 4-6 hours.

3. Can Valsartan protect the heart and kidneys?

   Valsartan does more than lower blood pressure. The medication reduces the heart's workload, boosts cardiac efficiency, and lowers hospitalisation risk for heart failure patients. Your kidneys benefit too. It slows deterioration, decreases protein in urine, and guards against diabetic nephropathy.

4. When should I take Valsartan tablets?

   Taking your dose at the same time each day matters most. Evening doses might help reduce night-time blood pressure better. New users should consider taking it before bed since dizziness can occur initially.

5. What are the common side effects of Valsartan?

   Most patients may experience:

   • Dizziness (mainly while standing up)

   • Headaches 

   • Nausea

   • Joint or muscle pain.

6. Who should avoid taking Valsartan?

   Pregnant women should not take valsartan as it can harm their unborn babies. The medication isn't safe for people with severe liver problems, history of angioedema, or those taking aliskiren with diabetes. Make sure to tell your doctor about any kidney or liver conditions you have.

7. Can Valsartan cause dizziness or low blood pressure?

   Clinical trials show that dizziness is a common side effect, affecting many users. This symptom usually occurs when patients stand up quickly, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. Dehydration, low-salt diets, or water pills can increase this risk. You should sit or lie down until the sensation passes if you feel unsteady. The medicine's effects on your body should be clear before you drive or operate machinery.

8. Can I take Valsartan with other blood pressure medicines?

   Yes, but some combinations need careful monitoring. Blood pressure control often requires multiple medications. The combination of valsartan with ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers has substantially increased mortality rates in trials, so doctors avoid prescribing these three drugs together. Your doctor needs to know about all your current medications.

9. Is Valsartan safe during pregnancy?

   No. The medicine can harm unborn babies and cause kidney damage, reduced amniotic fluid, and lung problems. Second and third trimesters carry higher risks. Pregnant women must stop taking valsartan right away and contact their doctor.

10. What should I do if I miss a dose of Valsartan?

    Take the medication as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled one and continue your regular schedule. Taking double doses is not recommended.