Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide
About Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is an 'anti-hypertensives' medication primarily used for lowering high blood pressure (hypertension) by removing extra fluid (electrolytes) from the body. High blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against the artery wall is high. As a result, it increases the risk of heart-related diseases like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and other complications.
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines, namely Valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Valsartan is a blood pressure-lowering medicine that blocks the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill that works by removing extra water/fluid and certain electrolyte overload from the body. Together, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide lowers the fluid overload, raises blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Take Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience nausea, diarrhoea, taste change, dizziness, upset stomach, decreased blood pressure, fatigue, headache, increased blood lipid level, increased blood uric acid, electrolyte imbalance, and glucose intolerance. Most of these side effects of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be taken if you are known to be allergic to Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide or any other medicines. Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Let your doctor know about this, as it may cause a rise in blood pressure and increase heart disease and stroke risk. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless the doctor has told you. This Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for children as the safety and efficacy of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide in children have not been established. You are recommended not to consume alcohol and Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage. Drive with caution, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Uses of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is primarily used to reduce high blood pressure. It is a combination of two medicines, namely: Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Valsartan is a blood pressure-lowering medicine that blocks the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. On the other hand, Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill that works by removing extra water/fluid and certain electrolytes overload from the body. Together, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide lowers the fluid overload, raised blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces the future risk of a heart attack and stroke.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Taste change
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach
- Decreased blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Increased blood lipid level
- Increased blood uric acid
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Glucose intolerance.
Drug Warnings
Before taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, gout (inflammation and pain in joints), loss of water and minerals from the body, and skin cancer. If you have diarrhea, vomiting or sweating, immediately inform your doctor as it may cause serious loss of body water and risk of lightheadedness (feeling of dizziness and faintness). Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide may affect the blood sugar, inform your doctor if you have diabetes and regularly monitor your blood sugar level. This Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide may increase skin cancer risk, thus avoiding going in the sun and using sunscreen, and wearing protective cloth when you are going out. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless the doctor has told you. This Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for children as the safety and efficacy of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide in children have not been established. You are recommended not to consume alcohol and Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage. Drive with caution, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interaction: This medicine may interact with an antidepressant (lithium), antidiabetic medicines (metformin, insulin), other anti-hypertensive medicines (atenolol, aliskiren, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, metoprolol), pain killers (ibuprofen, codeine), medicines used for arthritis (dexamethasone).
Drug-food Interaction: Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with high potassium-containing food and drinks. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor. Also, alcohol should not be consumed while taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The efficacy of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a recent or history of heart disease, low blood pressure, low potassium level, thyroid disease, asthma, diabetes, and allergy.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol and Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeValsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during pregnancy. This medicine may cause fetal damage and can cause serious harm to the unborn baby (fetus).
Breast Feeding
unsafeValsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is known to pass breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, before breastfeeding, let your doctor know about this.
Driving
unsafeDrive with caution, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Liver
cautionValsartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionValsartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Children
cautionValsartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for children as the safety and efficacy of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide in children have not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Do not use Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate.
- If you have diabetes and taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren,' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor, as it may cause serious complications.
- Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while using Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide unless your doctor has told you to do so.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension) by removing extra fluid (electrolytes) from the body.
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines, namely: Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide. Valsartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that blocks the hormone angiotensin and relaxes blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic or water pill) removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Together, both lower fluid overload, blood pressure improves blood flow and reduce the future risk of a heart attack.
Yes, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
In case you have missed a dose of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place, if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both doses together. Take only one dose; taking a double dose of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide will lead to low blood pressure.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend discontinuing it.
Do not use Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate. If you have diabetes and taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren,' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor.
No, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide does not lead to weight gain as a side effect. However, if your kidney function worsens, your body may swell due to water build-up (fluid retention), causing weight gain. Advise your doctor if you feel any unexplained weight gain or swelling in your ankles, feet, or hands.
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide starts working within 2 weeks and may show the maximum effect within 4 weeks for most patients, but some may need 4 to 8 weeks of treatment. Continue taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide for the prescribed duration to treat your condition effectively.
It is not known if Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide affects kidney function. Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for people with severe renal impairment, and it should be used with caution in patients with mild to moderate kidney problems. Please consult the doctor if you have kidney problems.
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be taken by people who are allergic to any of its components. It is not recommended for children as the safety and efficacy have not been established. Let the doctor know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have liver or kidney problems, biliary cirrhosis, or cholestasis.
Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide should be taken for as long as it has been prescribed by the doctor. It may be a lifelong treatment, as it controls but does not cure high blood pressure. Consult your doctor if you face any difficulty while taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide.
Female patients of childbearing age should be aware that taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide during pregnancy can cause serious health issues in the baby, including low blood pressure, skull bone problems, and kidney failure. Consult the doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
The common side effects of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide may include nausea, diarrhoea, taste change, dizziness, upset stomach, fatigue, and headache. Most of these side effects of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
