Valsartan

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Information about Valsartan

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used alone or in combination with other agents to treat hypertension and reduce cardiovascular mortality after myocardial infarction.

Liver safety of Valsartan

Valsartan is associated with a low rate of transient serum aminotransferase elevations and has been linked to rare instances of acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Valsartan

Valsartan (val sar' tan) was the second angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) to be approved for use in the United States and is widely used for therapy of hypertension. Valsartan inhibits the renin-angiotensin system by blocking the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), which prevents the vasoconstriction and volume expansion induced by circulating angiotensin II which accounts for its antihypertensive activity.

FDA approval information for Valsartan

Valsartan was approved for use in the United States for hypertension in 1996 and indications were subsequently broaded to the treatment of heart failure and for reduction in cardiovascular mortality in patients with left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction.

Dosage and administration for Valsartan

Valsartan is available in 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg tablets generically and under the trade name Diovan. The typical initial dose of valsartan in adults in 80 to 160 mg once daily, and it is used long term. Valsartan is also available in fixed combinations with hydrochlorothiazide (Diovan-HCT), amlodipine (Exforge and Exforge HCT) and aliskiren (Valturna).

Side effects of Valsartan

Side effects of valsartan are uncommon, but can include headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough, gastrointestinal upset, and fetal toxicity. In addition, many ARBs including valsartan have been linked to cases of severe sprue-like enteropathy. The enteropathy arises after months or years of therapy and presents with severe diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal discomfort and fatigue. Intestinal biopsy shows villous flattening and atrophy similar to celiac disease. However, the enteropathy does not improve with a gluten-free diet but does resolve with stopping the angiotensin receptor blocker.

The common ARBS are the following:

• Azilsartan
• Candesartan
• Eprosartan
• Irbesartan
• Losartan
• Olmesartan
• Telmisartan
• Valsartan

Common ACE inhibitors include the following:

• Benazepril
• Captopril
• Enalapril
• Fosinopril
• Lisinopril
• Moexipril
• Perindopril
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Trandolapril

• Dailymed label info on Valsartan
• FDA Valsartan

Valsartan Resources
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