What is Valturna?
Valturna includes a mix of both valsartan and aliskiren. Aliskiren is an antihypertensive (blood pressure reduction) medication. It reduces the amount of substances within your body that enlarge blood vessels and increase blood pressure. Valsartan stops blood vessels from narrowing, which decreases blood pressure and increases the flow of blood.
Valturna helps treat high blood pressure (hypertension).Valturna could be used for different reasons that are not covered in this guideline.
Warnings
Avoid using Valturna when you are expecting. Stop taking this medicine and notify your doctor immediately if you find yourself pregnant.Before taking Valturna, inform your physician whether you suffer from liver or kidney diseases, excessive levels of potassium present in the blood (hyperkalemia), heart disease, recent heart attacks, congestive heart failure, or if you're following an esoteric diet.
If you are taking Valturna in conjunction with meals, stay away from foods high in fat. They may make it more difficult for your body's ability to take in the medication that is in Valturna.
Conditions that can cause low blood pressure are: diarrhea, vomiting, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a diet low in salt, or taking diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's advice on the kind and quantity of fluids you need to consume when taking Valturna. Inform your doctor if you suffer from a chronic illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea.
Before you take this drug
It is not recommended to take Valturna in the event that you are allergic to the chemical aliskiren (Tekturna) or the drug valsartan (Diovan), or if you're taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), or itraconazole (Sporanox).
If you suffer from kidney, diabetes, or kidney disease, you might not be able to take Valturna in the event that you are taking one of the following blood pressure medications:
- Azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar), valsartan (Diovan), telmisartan (Micardis);
- Benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), and theolacril (Vasotec); fosinopril (Monopril); lisinopril; benazepril (Prinivil, Zestril); moexipril (Univasc); perindopril (Aceon); quinapril (Accupril); and the drug ramipril (Altace) or trandolapril (Mavik, Tarka).
To ensure that you are able to comfortably take the drug, inform your doctor that you suffer from any of the following health conditions:
- Kidney disease (or if you're on dialysis);
- Liver disease;
- Excessive levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);
- Congestive heart failure;
- Heart disease, a recent heart attack,
- If you're on a diet that has low salt,
FDA pregnancy category D Do not use Valturna if you are pregnant. Stop taking this medicine and notify your doctor immediately if you find yourself pregnant. Valturna may cause injury or even death to the unborn baby if you use the medication during the second or third trimester. Utilize effective birth control when you are taking the medication. It isn't known if it is absorbed by the milk of a nursing baby or whether it can harm the nursing infant. It is not recommended to use Valturna while breastfeeding the baby.
How to take Valturna?
Use Valturna as directed by your physician. Don't take it in greater or less quantity or for a longer time than is recommended. Follow the instructions on the prescription label.Your doctor might alter the dosage to ensure that you get the best outcomes from this medication.Drink Valturna with an entire glass of water.
It is possible to take Valturna either with or without food, but you should take it exactly the same way each time.If you are taking Valturna during meals, you should avoid foods high in fat. They make it difficult for the body to take in the medication that is in Valturna.Conditions that can cause low blood pressure are diarrhea, vomiting, severe sweating, heart disease, dialysis, eating a low-salt diet, or diuretics (water pills). Follow the directions of your doctor regarding the kind and quantity of liquids to drink when taking Valturna. Talk to your doctor if you suffer from a chronic illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea.
It can take as long as 2 weeks after starting Valturna before your blood pressure increases. Continue to take this medication according to instructions, even if you do not feel well. A high blood pressure can have no signs. It is possible that you will need blood pressure medications throughout your life.Keep Valturna at room temperature, far from heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take any missed dose as soon as you recall it. Do not take any missed doses if you are nearing the time for the next dose. Don't take additional medicine to make up for the missing dose. Do not take additional medicine to replace the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms can include a rapid or slow heartbeat and sensations of lightheadedness or fainting.
What should be avoided?
Drinking alcohol could reduce blood pressure and cause the effects of valturna.Be careful not to get up too fast from lying or sitting in a position where you could get dizzy. Start slowly and steadie yourself to avoid falling.
Don't use potassium supplements or salt substitutes when taking Valturna unless your physician has advised you to.
Side effects of Valturna
Contact a medical professional immediately in the event that you exhibit any of the following signs that indicate an allergy reaction: Valturna, such as hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue. Get your doctor's attention immediately in case you experience any of these severe adverse reactions:
- Feeling like you might pass out;
- Slow beat, weak pulse muscles becoming weak, tingling sensation
More minor Valturna adverse effects are more likely to happen, like:
- Fatigued feeling;
- Sore throat, stuffy nose, cough
- Stomach nausea or upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea;
- Sensation of tingling or numbness;
- Muscle cramps.
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Discuss with your physician any other medications you take, particularly other blood pressure medications or
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor);
- Diuretic (water pill) like furosemide (Lasix);
- An antibiotic like ketoconazole (Nizoral) or Rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, or Rifamate);
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID) like Ibuprofen, aspirin (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), Meloxicam (Mobic), and more;
- A potassium supplement like K-Dur or Klor-Con,
- Salt substitutes that have potassium.
The list below is not exhaustive, and there are other medications that are not listed that could impact Valturna. Discuss with your doctor every prescription and non-prescription drug you are taking. This includes minerals and vitamins, as well as herbal products and medicines prescribed by other doctors. Don't begin using any new medication without first talking to your physician.
