Valken-H (valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide): Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

What it's for (Indications)

This medicine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, and myocardial infarction (Heart attack) with left ventricular failure or left ventricular diastolic failure.

Dosage Information

Type	Guideline
Standard	The usual starting dose is valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide 160/12.5 mg once daily. The dosage can be increased after 1 to 2 weeks of therapy to a maximum of one 320/25 mg tablet once daily as needed to control blood pressure. Maximum antihypertensive effects are attained within 2 to 4 weeks after a change in dose. This combination therapy may be used as add-on/switch therapy for patients not adequately controlled on valsartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone, or it may be substituted for titrated components.

Type

Guideline

Standard

The usual starting dose is valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide 160/12.5 mg once daily. The dosage can be increased after 1 to 2 weeks of therapy to a maximum of one 320/25 mg tablet once daily as needed to control blood pressure. Maximum antihypertensive effects are attained within 2 to 4 weeks after a change in dose. This combination therapy may be used as add-on/switch therapy for patients not adequately controlled on valsartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone, or it may be substituted for titrated components.

Safety & Warnings

Common Side Effects

Patients may experience common side effects such as headache, dizziness, and nasopharyngitis.
Less common or rare adverse effects include syncope (fainting), thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets), renal (kidney) dysfunction, angioedema (swelling under skin or mucous membrane), and hypotension.

Serious Warnings

Black Box Warning: WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide tablets as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of hepatic (liver) impairment, severe renal (kidney) impairment, renal artery stenosis (narrowing of renal arteries), severe cardiac insufficiency, aortic or mitral stenosis (narrowing of heart valves), and angioedema.
Monitor potassium levels in elderly patients.
Patients should avoid driving as this medicine may affect their ability to drive.
Avoid consuming alcohol when taking this medicine.
This medicine should not be used by lactating mothers.

How it Works (Mechanism of Action)

Valsartan acts by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in many tissues, such as vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland, thereby blocking its vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects. This action is independent of the pathways for angiotensin II synthesis. Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I via Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) and is the principal pressor agent of the renin-angiotensin system, stimulating vasoconstriction, aldosterone synthesis and release, cardiac stimulation, and renal sodium reabsorption. The primary metabolite of valsartan is essentially inactive. Hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, increases sodium and chloride excretion.