Product Description:
Please note that your doctor may have prescribed this medication for different uses and/or at a different dosage than what is stated in the package leaflet.
Always follow your doctor's instructions as shown on the pharmacy label.
Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide film-coated tablets contain two active substances called Valsartan and Hydrochlorothiazide.
These two active substances help treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Valsartan:
Belongs to a group of medicines called "Angiotensin II receptor antagonists," which are used to treat high blood pressure.
Angiotensin II is a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
Valsartan works by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II.
The result is that blood vessels relax and blood pressure decreases.
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Belongs to a group of medicines called thiazide diuretics (also known as "water tablets").
Hydrochlorothiazide increases the amount of urine, which also leads to lower blood pressure.
Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure when treatment with a single active substance alone does not produce a sufficient effect.
High blood pressure increases the workload on the heart and arteries. If left untreated, it can damage blood vessels in the brain, heart, and kidneys, and can lead to stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.
High blood pressure increases the risk of a heart attack.
When blood pressure is lowered to normal levels, the risk of developing these disorders decreases.
Instructions for Use:
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.
This will help you achieve the best possible result and reduce the risk of side effects.
Contact a doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
People with high blood pressure often do not notice symptoms.
Many feel healthy. Therefore, it is very important to keep appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.
Your doctor will tell you exactly how many Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide tablets to take. Depending on how you respond to the treatment, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dose.
The recommended dose of Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide is one tablet per day.
Do not change the dose or stop treatment without consulting your doctor.
The medicine should be taken at the same time every day, usually in the morning.
You can take Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide regardless of meals.
The tablet should be swallowed with a glass of water.
If you take too much Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide:
Contact a doctor, hospital, or if you have taken too much medication, or if a child has taken the medication by accident.
For other questions about the medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you feel very dizzy and/or feel like you are going to lose consciousness, you should lie down and contact your doctor immediately. Contact a doctor, pharmacy, or hospital if you accidentally take too many tablets.
If you forget to take Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide:
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 missed dose. You should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you stop treatment with Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide:
If you stop treatment with Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, it may cause your blood pressure to worsen.
Do not stop using the medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about using this medicine.
Warnings and Precautions:
Do not use Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide:
If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Valsartan, Hydrochlorothiazide, sulfonamide derivatives (compounds chemically related to hydrochlorothiazide), or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
If you are more than 3 months pregnant (Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide should also be avoided in early pregnancy - see Pregnancy and Breastfeeding section).
If you have serious liver disease, damage to the small bile ducts in the liver (biliary cirrhosis) leading to bile buildup in the liver (cholestasis).
If you have serious kidney disease.
If you are not producing urine (anuria).
If you are undergoing dialysis treatment.
If you have very low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood, or if you have too much calcium in your blood, despite treatment for this.
If you have gout.
If you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and are being treated with a blood pressure-lowering medicine containing aliskiren.
If any of the above apply to you, contact your doctor and do not take Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide.
Talk to your doctor:
If you are using potassium-sparing medicines, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, or other medicines that increase the level of potassium in the blood, such as heparin. Regular monitoring of blood potassium levels may be necessary.
If you have a low level of potassium in your blood.
If you suffer from:
Severe diarrhea or vomiting.
If you are using high doses of diuretics ("water tablets").
If you have a serious heart condition.
If you suffer from heart failure or have had a heart attack.
Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding the starting dose carefully.
Your doctor may also want to check your kidney function:
If you have narrowing of the renal artery.
If you have recently had a kidney transplant.
If you suffer from hyperaldosteronism. This is a disease in which the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone. If this applies to you, the use of Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended.
If you have liver or kidney disease.
If you have experienced swelling of the tongue and face caused by an allergic reaction called angioedema when using other medicines (including ACE inhibitors):
Inform your doctor. If these symptoms appear while using Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, stop using it immediately and do not use it again.
If you suffer from fever, rash, and joint pain, which may be symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, an autoimmune disease).
If you have diabetes, gout, or high levels of cholesterol or fats (triglycerides) in the blood.
If you have previously had an allergic reaction when using other blood pressure-lowering medicines within the same group (Angiotensin II antagonists), or if you suffer from allergies or asthma.
If you suffer from poor vision or eye pain. These may be symptoms of increased pressure in the eye and may occur within hours or a week after starting Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide. This can lead to permanent vision impairment if left untreated. There may be a higher risk of developing this if you have previously had allergic reactions to sulfonamides or penicillin.
Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.
If you are using any of the following medicines for high blood pressure:
ACE inhibitors (such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), especially if you have diabetic kidney disease.
Aliskiren.
Ingredients:
The active ingredients are a combination of two medicines: Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide.
Product Details:
Brand: Co-Diovan
Concentration: 160/12.5 mg
Quantity: 28 Tablets
Product Type: Tablets
