Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.

How does it work?

• Valsartan lowers blood pressure by preventing a strong chemical in the body from increasing blood pressure.
• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) lowers blood pressure and can act to get rid of extra salt and water in the body by acting on the kidneys.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Take at a similar time every day. Taking earlier the day may be better to prevent getting up at night to use the bathroom.
• Follow diet plan (low salt) as recommended by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification for high blood pressure.
• Not for use in kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May increase blood pressure.
• Watch for gout attacks. If you have sudden pain in a single joint, like the toe, talk with healthcare provider.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you can trust while taking this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Low potassium. This may make you feel tired, weak, or have numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, constipation, vomiting, or rapid heartbeats. May require taking supplements and/or eating foods rich in potassium. Talk with healthcare provider.

What should I monitor?

• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Check blood work (potassium). Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Severe headache.
• Signs of low potassium (see above). Can lead to serious heartbeat problems.
• Any rash.
• If you become pregnant while on this medicine, you will need to be switched to another blood pressure medicine.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) medicines with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

Copyright © 1978-2000 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved