Why is Valz (tablets) needed? We will talk about this later. In the materials of this article, we will tell you about whether this medicine has analogues, side effects and contraindications. Patient reviews and instructions for using the medication will also be described.
Composition, description and packaging of the drug
What is the composition of the drug "Vals"? Tablets contain such an active substance as valsartan. They also include additional components in the form of talc, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone K29-32 and silicon dioxide.
The medicine in a dosage of 40 mg is film-coated, has a yellow color and an oval biconvex shape. On one side of the tablets there is an “V” engraving, and on the other, side risks. The drug also goes on sale in pink (80 and 160 mg each).
The medication in question, Valz tablets, is packaged in blisters that fit in cardboard boxes.
Pharmacological features
What is the medicine "Vals"? Tablets are prescribed as a hypotensive agent and peripheral vasodilator. This medication is able to block the AT1 receptors of angiotensin II, however, it cannot inhibit ACE.
Under the influence of the active substance of the drug, the content of glucose, total TG, XC and uric acid in the blood does not change.
How fast does the Vals drug start to work? The tablets are absorbed quite quickly. 2 hours after administration (maximum after 5-6 hours) they begin their action.
The effect of taking the drug "Valz" usually persists throughout the day. With regular therapy, maximum BP reduction is observed only after 2-4 weeks. If the patient abruptly discontinues treatment, then withdrawal syndrome does not occur.
Pharmacokinetic properties of tablets
Is the medicine “Vals” rapidly absorbed (tablets)? Instructions for use states that after taking the drug inside, its rather rapid absorption is noted. The bioavailability of the drug is approximately 23%. In this case, the linear nature of the pharmacokinetic properties of valsartan is noted.
The active substance of the drug has a fairly high level of binding to plasma proteins. This indicator varies between 94-97%.
If the Valz tablets are taken again, the kinetic indices will not change in any way. With a single dose of the drug per day, the patient has a slight cumulation of valsartan. Minor concentrations of inactive hydroxymetabolite are noted in the blood.
After taking the medicine inside, approximately 83% of the active substance is released through the intestines (with bile), and another 13% is excreted unchanged by the kidneys.
Indications for use
Why is Vals prescribed? Blood pressure pills for hypertension act very quickly and effectively. In addition, they are taken with a chronic form of heart failure (in complex treatment), as well as to increase the survival rate of people who have experienced acute myocardial infarction.
Contraindications
In what cases should not take the medication "Vals" (tablets)? Reviews of experts indicate the following contraindications:
- renal failure (severe), including during hemodialysis;
- impaired liver function due to obstruction of the biliary tract;
- pregnancy period;
- malabsorption of galactose or glucose, lactose intolerance, galactosemia;
- breastfeeding;
- age up to 18 years;
- intolerance to the components of the drug.
It should be noted that the Valz drug is used with extreme caution in case of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arterial hypotension, primary hyperaldosteronism, renal artery stenosis, hyperkalemia, mitral and aortic stenosis, hyponatremia.
The drug "Vals" (tablets): instructions for use
Before taking the medication, the patient should definitely read the instructions. It is also necessary to consult with your doctor.
How should I take Vals 80? Tablets in this dosage are prescribed for patients with arterial hypertension. Take the medication orally, once a day, regardless of the meal.
After the start of treatment, the hypotensive effect of the Valz remedy begins to appear in the first 2 weeks. The greatest effect of the drug is observed after about a month.
If the daily dosage of the drug in 80 mg does not have the desired effect, then it is doubled.
In the course of therapy, the patient may be prescribed another antihypertensive drug, in particular a diuretic.
How should heart beats be taken in patients with heart failure? The instruction attached to the tool states that with this diagnosis, especially in a chronic form, the patient needs to take 40 mg of the drug twice a day. If this dosage is ineffective, then it is gradually increased to 80 mg with the same multiplicity.
With good health, the dose can be increased up to 160 mg twice a day. However, at least two weeks should pass from the start of treatment to the time when they switch to the maximum dosage.
The maximum amount of medication per day is 320 mg. At the same time, the dose of Valz should be divided into two doses. When taken together with diuretics, it is sometimes reduced.
In the event that the patient suffered a myocardial infarction, and his hemodynamic parameters are stable, treatment with the drug begins no later than 12 hours after the attack.
The first dose should be 20 mg twice daily. Gradually, it is increased to 40 mg, and then to 80 mg. By the end of the 3rd month of treatment, the daily dose of the drug should already be 160 mg (divided into 2 doses). In this case, increasing it, it is necessary to take into account the tolerance of the medication.
Overdose Signs
What symptoms of an overdose can occur if the drug “Valz” is taken incorrectly? In such cases, a person has a strong decrease in blood pressure. Such conditions often cause collapse and loss of consciousness. An urgent need to wash the stomach and give the patient activated charcoal. Also, with an overdose, a 0.9% sodium chloride solution is intravenously administered to the patient.
Drug interaction
Taking the drug "Valz", it should be borne in mind that its pronounced interaction with other drugs is not observed. But if the patient simultaneously takes other antihypertensive drugs and diuretics, then the antihypertensive effect of valsartan can significantly increase.
The risk of developing hyperkalemia increases with the combined use of the tablets in question with potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium preparations and drugs that increase its content in blood plasma.
When using a medication with NSAIDs, its antihypertensive effect decreases.
It should also be noted that there is evidence of toxic effects and a reversible increase in the concentration of lithium in the blood during treatment with Valz tablets and ACE inhibitors.
According to the instructions, it is allowed to combine the drug in question and other drugs that are used to treat heart failure. However, you can not use this tool simultaneously with ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers.
special instructions
What should the patient be informed about before prescribing the medicine “Vals”? Pressure pills (reviews of them will be presented later) should be taken only after the level of fluid and electrolytes in the patient's body has been restored. To do this, it is recommended to reduce the dose of diuretics.
If a person has renovascular hypertension, then he should be provided with regular monitoring of blood urea and creatinine.
During therapy with the Valz drug, especially in case of chronic heart failure, the patient may have a decrease in blood pressure. Therefore, constant monitoring of this indicator is extremely important.
When treating with this medication, changes in the functioning of the kidneys may be observed.
The drug "Vals" (tablets): analogues and price
The synonyms of the drug in question are the following medicines: Valsafors, Valsartan, Diovan, Valsakor, Tantordio, Nortian, Zentiva, Tareg.
There are also its analogues, similar in mechanism of action. These include drugs such as Aprovel, Brozaar, Blocktran, Zisakar, Losartan, Irsar, Lakea, Cardosten, Teveten, Macleodz and others.
The price of the medication we are considering is not very high. For 28 tablets (40 mg) you will have to give about 150 rubles.
Patient Reviews
Most patients leave positive reviews about the Valz drug. They claim that this medicine is an effective way to lower blood pressure.
The action of the tablets begins to manifest itself very quickly. They can reduce blood pressure, thereby improving the general condition of the patient.
In the reviews of patients, there is also such a positive moment: with a sharp stop of treatment with the drug, there is no withdrawal syndrome.