"Valsartan": instructions for use. Medication "Valsartan" - analogues and reviews

The drug, called "Valsartan", describes the instructions for use as a combination of a pharmacotherapeutic group of peripheral vasodilators. The use of this drug has a pronounced hypotensive effect on the patient's body. Also, this drug has a selective antagonistic effect on the AT ₁ receptors, which are responsible for the process of implementing angiotensin II. In addition, a characteristic diuretic effect can have on the human body such a combined agent, as "Valsartan." Analogues of this drug - capsules "Diovan", "Exforge", "Tantordio" and "Valsakor" - have similar properties.

Features of pharmacological action

As for the peculiarities of the pharmacological action of this antihypertensive drug, it, being a specific antagonist of the so-called angiotensin II receptors, effectively blocks AT ₁ receptors and increases the plasma concentration of angiotensin II. In this case, the drug "Valsartan" (the instruction for use explains it by its composition) does not inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Also, it does not have any agonistic activity with respect to AT ₁ -receptors. Among other things, the original "Valsartan" does not block the ion channels and receptors of other hormones, which are extremely important for the normal regulation of the cardiovascular system. In addition, this drug has no effect on the level of thyroglobulin, uric acid, total cholesterol and glucose in the blood plasma.

Pharmacokinetics of the drug

If we talk about the pharmacokinetics of such an antihypertensive drug as the drug "Valsartan", then, as a rule, it is very quickly absorbed from the digestive tract after ingestion, although the degree of absorption depends on individual differences.

In this case, the pronounced antihypertensive effect, as a rule, begins to be observed after one hundred and twenty minutes after taking a single dose of the drug, and the maximum therapeutic effect is achieved on average within four to six hours. The absolute bioavailability of this drug is just over 22%. In turn, binding to blood proteins (mainly albumins) is 94-98%. Plasma clearance of the drug "Valsartan", whose composition has a direct effect on this, is about 2 l / h. This antihypertensive agent is mainly released with feces (about 70%) and, to a much lesser extent, with urine. The manufacturer also emphasizes that in case of bile duct obstruction or biliary cirrhosis, the AUC of this drug increases on average by a factor of two. With the course of the drug, no changes in pharmacokinetic properties and parameters are observed.

Description of the medicinal product

An antihypertensive drug "Valsartan" is produced (the instruction for use of which is necessarily included in each package) in the form of tablets coated with a film coating and in the form of a white powder. This substance is practically insoluble in ordinary water and easily soluble in methanol and ethanol. The molecular weight of this drug is about 430-435. As for the composition of this vasodilator, the main acting elements in it contain an angiotensin II receptor blocker and a thiazide diuretic.

Scope of the drug

Take the tablets "Valsartan" instructions for use, basically, recommends in the composition of so-called complex therapy for people who suffer from a chronic form of heart failure or hypertension.

In addition, this antihypertensive agent is indicated to be used to improve the survival of people with acute myocardial infarction (including complicated systolic ventricular dysfunction or left ventricular failure). Patients with heart diseases who take traditional diuretics are also often prescribed a drug "Valsartan". Analogues of this tool can also be used in all the cases listed above.

Dosage of the drug

To take this antihypertensive drug doctors usually recommend one or two times a day for eighty or forty milligrams, respectively. In the absence of the necessary therapeutic effect, the daily dosage can be increased. However, it is necessary to do this gradually and only on the prescription of the attending physician. The maximum dosage of this drug is three hundred and twenty milligrams.

List of contraindications to use

Use this tool-vasodilator specialists categorically do not recommend in the case of a person's increased individual sensitivity to any of its components. With the established allergic reaction, it is also worthwhile to refrain from taking Valsartan tablets. The original drug should also not be taken to patients who have not reached the age of eighteen. The latter circumstance is due to the fact that the safety of the use of this antihypertensive drug in such cases is not fully understood.

Application during pregnancy

Prescribe the drug "Valsartan" for women who have a child, is strictly contraindicated. Data from organized medical research proves a rather high risk of adverse effects of this antihypertensive drug on the fetus. However, in the case of a life-threatening serious disease in which other, safer drugs can not be used, or they are less effective, the use of this vasodilator medication is allowed. Separately, it should be said about the inadmissibility of using this product while feeding a newborn baby with breast milk.

Possible adverse reactions

The use of such an antihypertensive drug as "Valsartan" can cause severe headaches, dizziness, coughing and weakness. In addition, nausea, diarrhea, hyperkalemia, fainting and insomnia are common. Abdominal pain, vertigo, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, arthralgia, back pain, myalgia, asthenia and edema can similarly be noted as a result of taking Valsartan. Feedback from patients who previously used it also indicate a risk of developing pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, various viral infections and infections affecting the upper respiratory tract. Among other things, many people have hyperbilirubinemia, decreased hematocrit, hypercreatininaemia, an increase in the urea nitrogen index and a decrease in hemoglobin. In addition, it should always be remembered that the simultaneous administration of a vasartilator "Valsartan" and medications from a group of potassium-sparing diuretics can provoke the development of hyperkalemia. In the case of an overdose of the drug, such conditions as bradycardia, tachycardia, or hypotension may be observed.

Basic Precautions

In conclusion, it should be said that it is necessary to prescribe, with extreme caution and strictly under strict medical supervision, the administration of this antihypertensive drug to patients with sodium deficiency, marked renal impairment, bilateral stenosis of the so-called renal arteries or a marked decrease in the volume of circulating blood. This is primarily associated with a high risk of developing a patient's arterial hypotension. In addition, it is worth paying special attention to people suffering from biliary cirrhosis or severe impairment of liver function. Patients with renal artery stenosis require constant control over the concentration of urea nitrogen and the serum creatinine content. Also, patients with bile duct obstruction, who take potassium-sparing diuretics, special potassium supplements or potassium preparations, require special attention to themselves. Finally, with extreme caution, it is necessary to use the antihypertensive agent "Valsartan" to people whose work is related to driving any vehicles, and those whose profession is directly associated with a high concentration of attention.