Valsartan 40 Mg Capsules Hard
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Package leaflet: Information for the user
Valsartan 40 mg capsules, hard Valsartan 80 mg capsules, hard Valsartan 160 mg capsules, hard
Valsartan
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Valsartan is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Valsartan
3. How to take Valsartan
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Valsartan
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Valsartan is and what it is used for
Valsartan capsules belong to a class of medicines known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which help to control high blood pressure. Angiotensin II is a substance in the body that causes vessels to tighten, thus causing your blood pressure to increase. Valsartan capsules work by blocking the effect of angiotensin II. As a result, blood vessels relax and blood pressure is lowered.
Valsartan 40 mg capsules can be used for three different conditions:
• to treat high blood pressure in children and adolescents 6 to 18 years of age. High blood pressure increases the workload on the heart and arteries. If not treated it can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, and may result in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks. Lowering your blood pressure to normal reduces the risk of developing these disorders.
• to treat adult patients after a recent heart attack
(myocardial infarction). “Recent” here means between 12 hours and 10 days.
• to treat symptomatic heart failure in adult patients.
Valsartan capsules are used when a group of medicines called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (a medication to treat heart failure) cannot be used, or it may be used in addition to ACE inhibitors when beta blockers (another medication to treat heart failure) cannot be used. Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, and swelling of the feet and legs due to fluid build-up. It is caused when the heart muscle cannot pump blood strongly enough to supply all the blood needed throughout the body.
Valsartan capsules 80 and 160 mg capsules can be used for
three different conditions
• to treat high blood pressure in adults and in children and adolescents 6 to 18 years of age. High blood pressure increases the workload on the heart and arteries. If not treated it can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, and may result in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks. Lowering your blood pressure to normal reduces the risk of developing these disorders.
• to treat adult patients after a recent heart attack
(myocardial infarction). “Recent” here means between 12 hours and 10 days.
• to treat symptomatic heart failure in adult patients.
Valsartan capsules are used when a group of medicines called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (a medication to treat heart failure) cannot be used or it may be used in addition to ACE inhibitors when beta blockers (another medication to treat heart failure) cannot be used.
Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, and swelling of the feet and legs due to fluid build-up. It is caused when the heart muscle cannot pump blood strongly enough to supply all the blood needed throughout the body.
2. What you need to know before you take Valsartan
Do not take Valsartan:
• if you are allergic to valsartan or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have severe liver disease.
• if you are more than 3 months pregnant (it is also better to avoid Valsartan capsules in early pregnancy - see pregnancy section).
• if you suffer from diabetes and are taking a medicine called aliskiren, you should not take Valsartan.
• if you have severe kidney disease and are taking a medicine called aliskiren, you should not take Valsartan.
If any of these apply to you, speak to your doctor.
Warnings and precautions
You must be especially careful and talk to your doctor before
taking Valsartan capsules if any of the following apply to you.
• if you have liver disease.
• if you have severe kidney disease or if you are undergoing dialysis.
• if you are suffering from a narrowing of the kidney artery.
• if you have recently undergone kidney transplantation (received a new kidney).
• if you are treated after a heart attack or for heart failure, your doctor may check your kidney function.
• if you have severe heart disease other than heart failure or heart attack.
• If you have ever experienced swelling of the tongue and face caused by an allergic reaction called angioedema when taking another drug (including ACE inhibitors), tell your doctor. If these symptoms occur when you are taking Valsartan, stop taking Valsartan immediately and never take it again. See also section 4, “Possible side effects”.
• if you are taking medicines that increase the amount of
potassium in your blood. These include potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines and heparin. It may be necessary to check the amount of potassium in your blood at regular intervals.
• if you are below 18 years of age and you take Valsartan in combination with other medicines that inhibit the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (medicines that lower blood pressure), your doctor may check your kidney function and the amount of potassium in your blood at regular intervals.
• if you suffer from aldosteronism. This is a disease in which your adrenal glands make too much of the hormone aldosterone. If this applies to you, the use of Valsartan capsules is not recommended.
• if you have lost a lot of fluid (dehydration) caused by diarrhoea, vomiting, or high doses of water pills (diuretics).
• You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Valsartan capsules is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see pregnancy section).
If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor before you take Valsartan.
Other medicines and Valsartan
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
The effect of the treatment can be influenced if Valsartan capsules are taken together with certain other medicines. It may be necessary to change the dose, to take other precautions, or in some cases to stop taking one of the medicines. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription medicines, especially:
• other medicines that lower blood pressure, especially water pills (diuretics).
• medicines that increase the amount of potassium in your blood. These include potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines and heparin.
• certain type of pain killers called non-steroidal antiinflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).
• some antibiotics (rifamycin group), a drug used to protect against transplant rejection (ciclosporin) or an antiretroviral drug used to treat HIV/AIDS infection (ritonavir). These drugs may increase the effect of Valsartan.
• lithium, a medicine used to treat some types of psychiatric illness.
• aliskiren, a medicine used to treat high blood pressure, in patients with diabetes and/or moderate to severe kidney disease.
In addition:
• if you are being treated after a heart attack, a combination with ACE inhibitors (a medication to treat heart attack) is not recommended.
• if you are being treated for heart failure, a triple combination with ACE inhibitors and beta blockers (medications to treat heart failure) is not recommended.
Valsartan with food and drink
You can take Valsartan capsules with or without food.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
• You must tell your doctor if you think that you are (or might become) pregnant. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Valsartan capsules before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant, and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Valsartan capsules. Valsartan capsules is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if it is used after the third month of pregnancy.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Valsartan capsules is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed, especially if your baby is newborn, or was born prematurely.
Driving and using machines
Before you drive a vehicle, use tools or operate machines, or carry out other activities that require concentration, make sure you know how Valsartan capsules affect you. Like many other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, Valsartan capsules may in rare cases cause dizziness and affect the ability to concentrate.
3. How to take Valsartan
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you in order to get the best results and reduce the risk of side effects. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
People with high blood pressure often do not notice any signs of this problem. Many may feel quite normal. This makes it all the more important for you to keep your appointments with the doctor even if you are feeling well.
Adult patients with high blood pressure: The usual dose is 80 mg daily. In some cases your doctor may prescribe higher doses (e.g. 160 mg or 320 mg). He may also combine Valsartan with an additional medicine (e.g. a diuretic).
Children and adolescents (6 to 18 years of age) with high blood pressure:
In patients who weigh less than 35 kg the usual dose is 40 mg of valsartan once daily.
In patients who weigh 35 kg or more the usual starting dose is 80 mg of valsartan once daily.
In some cases your doctor may prescribe higher doses (the dose can be increased to 160 mg and to a maximum of 320 mg).
Adult patients after a recent heart attack: After a heart attack the treatment is generally started as early as after 12 hours, usually at a low dose of 20 mg twice daily. You obtain the 20 mg dose by dividing the 40 mg tablet. Your doctor will increase this dose gradually over several weeks to a maximum of 160 mg twice daily. The final dose depends on what you as an individual patient can tolerate.
Valsartan capsules can be given together with other treatment for heart attack, and your doctor will decide which treatment is suitable for you.
Adult patients with heart failure: Treatment starts generally with 40 mg twice daily. Your doctor will increase the dose gradually over several weeks to a maximum of 160 mg twice daily. The final dose depends on what you as an individual patient can tolerate.
Valsartan capsules can be given together with other treatment for heart failure, and your doctor will decide which treatment is suitable for you.
You can take Valsartan capsules with or without food. Swallow Valsartan capsules with a glass of water.
Take Valsartan capsules at about the same time each day.
If you take more Valsartan than you should
If you experience severe dizziness and/or fainting, contact your doctor immediately, and lie down.
If you have accidentally taken too many capsules, contact your doctor, pharmacist or hospital.
If you forget to take Valsartan
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Valsartan
Stopping your treatment with Valsartan capsules may cause your disease to get worse. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
These side effects may occur with certain frequencies, which are
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defined as follows: | ||
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very common: |
affects more than 1 user in 10 |
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• |
common: |
affects 1 to 10 users in 100 |
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• |
uncommon: |
affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000 |
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• |
rare: |
affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000 |
|
• |
very rare: |
affects less than 1 user in 10,000 |
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• |
not known: |
frequency cannot be estimated from the available data. |
Some symptoms need immediate medical attention:
You may experience symptoms of angioedema (a specific allergic reaction), such as
• swollen face, lips, tongue or throat
• difficulty in breathing or swallowing
• hives, itching
If you get any of these symptoms, stop taking Valsartan and contact your doctor straight away (see also section 2 "Warnings and precautions”).
Side effects include:
Common:
• dizziness
• low blood pressure with or without symptoms such as dizziness and fainting when standing up
• decreased kidney function (signs of renal impairment)
Uncommon:
• angioedema (see section “Some symptoms need immediate medical attention”)
• sudden loss of consciousness (syncope)
• spinning sensation (vertigo)
• severely decreased kidney function (signs of acute renal failure)
• muscle spasms, abnormal heart rhythm (signs of hyperkalaemia)
• breathlessness, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling of the feet or legs (signs of cardiac failure)
• headache
• cough
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• diarrhoea
• tiredness
• weakness
Not known:
• allergic reactions with rash and hives; symptoms: of fever, swollen joints and joint pain, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and/or flu-like symptoms may occur (signs of serum sickness)
• purplish-red spots, fever, itching (signs of inflammation of blood vessels also called vasculitis)
• unusual bleeding or bruising (signs of thrombocytopenia)
• muscle pain (myalgia)
• fever, sore throat or mouth ulcers due to infections (symptoms of low level of white blood cells also called neutropenia)
• decrease of level of haemoglobin and decrease of the percentage of red blood cells in the blood (which can lead to anaemia in severe cases)
• increase of level of potassium in the blood (which can trigger muscle spasms and abnormal heart rhythm in severe cases)
• elevation of liver function values (which can indicate liver damage) including an increase of bilirubin in the blood (which can trigger yellow skin and eyes in severe cases)
• increase of level of blood urea nitrogen and increase of level of serum creatinine (which can indicate abnormal kidney function)
• low level of sodium in the blood (which can trigger tiredness, confusion, muscle twitching and/or convulsions in severe cases)
The frequency of some side effects may vary depending on your condition. For example, side effects such as dizziness, and decreased kidney function, were seen less frequently in adult patients treated with high blood pressure than in adult patients treated for heart failure or after a recent heart attack.
Side effects in children and adolescents are similar to those seen in adults.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects (see details below). By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Malta
ADR Reporting The Medicines Authority Post-Licensing Directorate 203 Level 3, Rue D'Argens GZR-1368 Gzira Website:
www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt.
e-mail:
postlicensing.medicinesauthoritv@aov.mt
5. How to store Valsartan
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store below 30oC.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label, carton, bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Valsartan contains
- The active substance is valsartan. Each hard capsule contains 40 mg/ 80 mg/ 160 mg of valsartan.
- The other ingredients are
Capsule content: Cellulose microcrystalline, silica colloidal anhydrous, crospovidone (Type- B), povidone (K 30), sodium lauryl sulphate, magnesium stearate.
Capsule shell: Iron oxide black (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate.
Printing ink: Shellac (E904), propylene glycol, black iron oxide, titanium dioxide (for 160 mg capsules only), potassium hydroxide.
What Valsartan looks like and contents of the pack
Capsule, hard Valsartan 40 mg Capsules:
Opaque light grey cap/Opaque light grey body, size '4' hard gelatin capsules imprinted in black ink with ‘I’ on cap and '70' on body, filled with white to off white granular powder.
Valsartan 80 mg Capsules:
Opaque light grey cap / Flesh opaque body, size '3' hard gelatin capsules imprinted in black ink with ‘I’ on cap and '71' on body, filled with white to off white granular powder.
Valsartan 160 mg Capsules:
Opaque dark grey cap/Flesh opaque body, size '1' hard gelatin capsules imprinted in white ink with ‘I’ on cap and '72' on body with black ink, filled with white to off white granular powder.
Pack size:
Clear PVC/Aclar -Aluminium blister:
28 capsules, hard
HDPE container with Polypropylene closure containing silica gel desiccant:
30 and 500 capsules, hard
Not all pack sizes may be marketed
Marketing Authorization Holder
UK _ Milpharm Limited
Ares Block, Odyssey Business Park West End Road Ruislip HA4 6QD United Kingdom
MT_ Aurobindo Pharma (Malta) Limited
Vault 14, Level 2, Valletta Waterfront Floriana FRN 1913 Malta
Manufacturer
APL Swift Services (Malta) Limited HF26, Hal Far Industrial Estate, Hal Far Birzebbugia, BBG 3000 Malta
or
Milpharm Limited
Ares Block, Odyssey Business Park West End Road Ruislip HA4 6QD United Kingdom
This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:
Italy: Valsartan Aurobindo Pharma Italia 80 mg/ 160 mg
capsule rigide
Malta: Valsartan 40 mg/ 80 mg/ 160 mg capsules, hard
Portugal: Valsartan Aurobindo
United Kingdom: Valsartan 40 mg/ 80 mg/ 160 mg capsules, hard This leaflet was last revised in 08/2013.
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