The drug called "Valsartan" describes the instructions for use as a combination agent that is part of the pharmacotherapeutic group of peripheral-type vasodilators. The use of this medication has a pronounced hypotensive effect on the patient's body. Also, this drug has a selective antagonistic effect on AT
1 receptors, which are responsible for the implementation of angiotensin II. In addition, a combined diuretic effect like Valsartan can have a characteristic diuretic effect on the human body. The analogues of this drug - capsules "Diovan", "Exforge", "Tantordio" and "Valsacor" - have similar properties.
Features of pharmacological action
As for the pharmacological effects of this antihypertensive agent, 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 medicine "Valsartan" (instructions for use explains this with its composition) does not inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Also, it does not possess any agonistic activity with respect to AT 1 receptors. In addition, 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 does not have any effect on the level of thyroglobulinp, uric acid, total cholesterol and plasma glucose.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
If we talk about the pharmacokinetics of such an antihypertensive drug as the Valsartan drug, then, as a rule, it is very quickly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration, although the degree of absorption depends on individual differences.
In this case, a pronounced antihypertensive effect, as a rule, begins to be observed one hundred to one hundred and twenty minutes after taking a single dosage of the drug, and the maximum therapeutic effect is achieved on average within four to six hours. The absolute bioavailability of this medication is just over 22%. In turn, binding to blood proteins (mainly with albumin) is 94-98%. Plasma clearance of the drug "Valsartan", the composition of which has a direct effect on this, is about 2 l / h. This antihypertensive agent is excreted mainly with feces (about 70%) and, to a much lesser extent, with urine. The manufacturer also specifically notes that in case of obstruction of the biliary tract or biliary cirrhosis, the AUC of this drug is doubled on average. With the course use of the drug, no changes in the pharmacokinetic properties and parameters are observed.
Description of the drug
The anti-hypertensive drug Valsartan is produced (the instructions for use of which are always included in each package) in the form of film-coated tablets and in the form of a white powder. This substance is practically insoluble in ordinary water and readily soluble in methanol and ethanol. The molecular weight of this drug is about 430-435. As for the composition of this vasodilator agent, it contains type II receptor angiotensin blocker and a thiazide diuretic as the main active elements.
Area of use of the medicine
In general, Valsartan recommends taking Valsartan tablets as a part of the 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 increase the survival of people with acute myocardial infarction (including complicated systolic dysfunction of the ventricle or left ventricular failure). Patients with heart diseases taking traditional diuretic drugs are also quite often prescribed medication "Valsartan". Analogues of this tool can also be used in all of the above cases.
Drug dosage
Doctors usually recommend taking this antihypertensive drug once or twice a day, eighty or forty milligrams, respectively. In the absence of the necessary therapeutic effect, the daily dosage may be increased. However, this must be done gradually and only as prescribed by the attending physician. The maximum dosage of this drug is three hundred twenty milligrams.
List of contraindications for use
Specialists categorically do not recommend using this vasodilator, if a person has an increased individual sensitivity to any of its components. With an established allergic reaction, it is similarly worth refraining from taking Valsartan tablets. This original drug should also not be taken by patients who have not reached the age of eighteen. The latter circumstance is related to the fact that the safety of using this antihypertensive drug in such cases has not been fully studied.
Use during pregnancy
Prescribe the drug "Valsartan" to women who bear a child, is strictly contraindicated. Data from organized medical studies prove a rather high risk of adverse effects of this antihypertensive drug on the fetus. However, in the case of a life-threatening serious illness in which you cannot use other, safer medicines, 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 breast-feeding a newborn baby.
Possible adverse reactions
Prescribing an antihypertensive drug like Valsartan can cause quite severe headaches, dizziness, coughing, and weakness. In addition, nausea, diarrhea, hyperkalemia, fainting, and insomnia are often observed. Abdominal pain, vertigo, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, arthralgia, back pain, myalgia, asthenia and edema can similarly be noted due to the use of the drug "Valsartan". Reviews of patients who previously used it also indicate a risk of pharyngitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, various viral infections and infections affecting the upper respiratory tract. Among other things, many people have hyperbilirubinemia, a decrease in hematocrit, hypercreatininemia, an increase in the urea nitrogen content and a decrease in hemoglobin. In addition, it should always be remembered that the simultaneous administration of the valsodilator valsodilator Valsartan and medications from the group of potassium-sparing diuretics can trigger the development of hyperkalemia. In the case of an overdose of the drug, conditions such as bradycardia, tachycardia or hypotension can be observed.
Basic Precautions
In conclusion, it should be said that it is necessary with extreme caution and only under strict medical supervision to prescribe the administration of this antihypertensive drug to patients with sodium deficiency, severe renal impairment, bilateral stenosis of the so-called renal arteries, or a pronounced decrease in circulating blood volume. This is primarily due to the high risk of developing arterial hypotension in a patient. In addition, it is worth paying special attention to people suffering from biliary cirrhosis or severe liver dysfunction. Patients with renal artery stenosis require constant monitoring of the urea nitrogen concentration and serum creatinine content. Also, special attention is required for patients with bile duct obstruction, taking potassium-sparing diuretics, special potassium-containing supplements or potassium preparations. And finally, with extreme caution, it is necessary to use the anti-hypertensive drug Valsartan for people whose work is connected with driving any vehicles, and those whose profession is directly associated with a high concentration of attention.