1. What is Valsartan Medical Valley and what is it used for
Valsartan Medical Valley belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which help control high blood pressure. Angiotensin II is a substance produced in the human body that causes blood vessels to constrict, thereby increasing blood pressure. Valsartan Medical Valley blocks the action of angiotensin II, resulting in the dilation of blood vessels and a decrease in blood pressure.
Valsartan Medical Valley 80 mg and 160 mg can be used to treat three different diseases:
- to treat high blood pressure in adult patients and in children and adolescents from 6 to 18 years of age.High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and arteries, and if left untreated, can lead to damage to the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, and can cause stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack. Lowering blood pressure to normal values reduces the risk of these disorders.
- to treat adult patients after a recent heart attack(myocardial infarction). "Recent" means a period of 12 hours to 10 days.
- to treat symptomatic heart failure in adult patients.Valsartan Medical Valley is used if angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) (medicines used to treat heart failure) cannot be used or Valsartan Medical Valley may be used in combination with ACE inhibitors if other medicines used to treat heart failure cannot be used.
Symptoms of heart failure are: shortness of breath and swelling of the feet and ankles due to fluid accumulation. They are caused by the fact that the heart muscle is not able to pump blood with sufficient force to supply the body's needs.
2. Important information before taking Valsartan Medical Valley
When not to take Valsartan Medical Valley:
- if you are allergicto valsartan or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you have severe liver disease.
- if you are pregnant more than 3 months(you should also avoid taking Valsartan Medical Valley during early pregnancy - see section "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").
- if you have diabetes or kidney problems and are being treated with a blood pressure-lowering medicine containing aliskiren.
If any of the above conditions apply to you, you should not take Valsartan Medical Valley.
Warnings and precautions:
Before taking Valsartan Medical Valley, you should discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist:
- if you have liver disease;
- if you have severe kidney disease or are undergoing dialysis;
- if you have narrowing of the renal artery;
- if you have recently had a kidney transplant (you have received a new kidney);
- if you have severe heart disease, other than heart failure or heart attack;
- you should inform your doctor if you have ever had swelling of the tongue and face, caused by an allergic reaction (angioedema) while taking other medicines (including ACE inhibitors) - if such symptoms occur while taking Valsartan Medical Valley, you should stop taking it immediately and never take it again. See also section 4, "Possible side effects";
- if you are taking medicines that increase potassium levels in the blood - these are potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines, and heparins; regular monitoring of potassium levels in the blood may be necessary;
- if you have hyperaldosteronism (a disease in which the adrenal glands produce too much of a hormone called aldosterone) - in this case, it is not recommended to take Valsartan Medical Valley;
- in case of significant fluid loss (dehydration) due to diarrhea, vomiting, or taking high doses of diuretics;
- if you are taking any of the following medicines for high blood pressure: ACE inhibitor (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), especially if you have kidney problems related to diabetes; aliskiren; if you are being treated with an ACE inhibitor in combination with certain other medicines used to treat heart failure, called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) (e.g., spironolactone, eplerenone) or beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol).
Your doctor may recommend regular monitoring of kidney function, blood pressure, and electrolyte levels (e.g., potassium) in the blood.
If you experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after taking Valsartan Medical Valley, you should discuss it with your doctor. Your doctor will decide on further treatment. You should not stop taking Valsartan Medical Valley on your own.
See also the section "When not to take Valsartan Medical Valley".
You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant (or may become pregnant). It is not recommended to take Valsartan Medical Valley during early pregnancy and it should not be taken after the 3rd month of pregnancy, as it may seriously harm the baby if taken during this period (see section "Pregnancy and breastfeeding").
- 3. If you are pregnant, you should not take Valsartan Medical Valley after the 3rd month of pregnancy, as it may seriously harm the baby if taken during this period.
If any of the above conditions apply to you, you should inform your doctor before taking Valsartan Medical Valley.
Valsartan Medical Valley and other medicines
You should tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking now or have taken recently, as well as any medicines you plan to take.
Taking Valsartan Medical Valley with certain other medicines may affect treatment. A dose change or other precautions may be necessary, or in some cases, one of the medicines may need to be stopped. This applies to both prescription and non-prescription medicines, especially:
- other blood pressure-lowering medicines, especially diuretics, ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril, etc.), or aliskiren;
- medicines that increase potassium levels in the blood- these are potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines, and heparins;
- certain painkillerscalled non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
- certain antibiotics(from the rifampicin group), medicines to prevent organ rejection (cyclosporine) or antiretroviral medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS (ritonavir) - these medicines may increase the effect of Valsartan Medical Valley;
- lithium(a medicine used to treat certain mental illnesses).
In addition:
- after a heart attack, it is not recommended to take ACE inhibitors (medicines used to treat heart attack) in combination with Valsartan Medical Valley;
- in the case of heart failure, it is not recommended to take Valsartan Medical Valley in triple combination with ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers (medicines used to treat heart failure).
Your doctor may recommend a dose change and/or take other precautions:
- If you are taking an ACE inhibitor or aliskiren (see also sections "When not to take Valsartan Medical Valley" and "Warnings and precautions").
- If you are being treated with an ACE inhibitor in combination with certain other medicines used to treat heart failure, called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) (e.g., spironolactone, eplerenone) or beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol).
Valsartan Medical Valley with food and drink
Valsartan Medical Valley can be taken with or without food.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Before taking any medicine, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- You should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Valsartan Medical Valley before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant, and will recommend an alternative medicine instead of Valsartan Medical Valley. You should not take Valsartan Medical Valley during early pregnancy and you should not take it after the 3rd month of pregnancy, as it may seriously harm the baby if taken during this period.
- 3. You should not take Valsartan Medical Valley after the 3rd month of pregnancy, as it may seriously harm the baby if taken during this period.
- You should inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not recommended to take Valsartan Medical Valley while breastfeeding; your doctor may choose an alternative treatment for you if you plan to breastfeed. This is especially important for breastfeeding newborns or premature babies.
Driving and using machines
Before driving, using tools, operating machinery, or performing other activities that require concentration, each patient should find out how Valsartan Medical Valley affects them. Like many other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, Valsartan Medical Valley can cause dizziness and affect concentration in rare cases.
Valsartan Medical Valley contains sorbitol
Valsartan Medical Valley 80 mg: This medicine contains 9.25 mg of sorbitol in each tablet.
Valsartan Medical Valley 160 mg: This medicine contains 18.5 mg of sorbitol in each tablet.
Valsartan Medical Valley contains sodium
The medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet, which means it is considered "sodium-free".
Valsartan Medical Valley contains lactose
If you have been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars, you should contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. How to take Valsartan Medical Valley
Valsartan Medical Valley should always be taken as directed by your doctor to get the best results and minimize the risk of side effects. If you are unsure, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist. People with high blood pressure often do not notice any symptoms. Many of them feel quite well. Therefore, it is especially important to attend doctor's appointments, even if you feel well.
Adult patients with high blood pressure
The usual dose is 80 mg once daily. In some cases, your doctor may recommend higher doses (e.g., 160 mg or 320 mg). Your doctor may also prescribe Valsartan Medical Valley in combination with another medicine (e.g., a diuretic).
Children and adolescents (from 6 to 18 years of age) with high blood pressure
In patients with a body weight of less than 35 kg, the usual dose of valsartan is 40 mg once daily. In patients with a body weight of 35 kg or more, the usual starting dose is 80 mg of valsartan once daily. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a higher dose (the dose can be increased to 160 mg, and up to a maximum of 320 mg).
In the case of children who cannot swallow tablets, an oral solution is recommended.
Adult patients after a recent heart attack
Treatment usually starts 12 hours after the heart attack, usually with a low dose of 20 mg twice daily. The 20 mg dose is obtained by dividing a 40 mg tablet. Your doctor will gradually increase this dose over several weeks to a maximum dose of 160 mg twice daily. The final dose depends on the patient's tolerance to the medicine.
Valsartan Medical Valley can be given with other medicines used to treat heart attack, and your doctor will decide which treatment is appropriate in your case.
Adult patients with heart failure
Treatment usually starts with a dose of 40 mg twice daily. Your doctor will gradually increase the dose over several weeks to a maximum dose of 160 mg twice daily.
The final dose depends on the patient's tolerance to the medicine.
Valsartan Medical Valley can be given with other medicines used to treat heart failure, and your doctor will decide which treatment is appropriate in your case.
Valsartan Medical Valley can be taken with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water.
Valsartan Medical Valley should be taken every day at approximately the same time.
Taking a higher dose of Valsartan Medical Valley than recommended
If you experience severe dizziness and/or fainting, you should contact your doctor immediately and lie down. If you accidentally take too many tablets, you should contact your doctor, pharmacist, or go to the nearest hospital.
Missing a dose of Valsartan Medical Valley
If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, you should skip the missed dose.
You should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Stopping treatment with Valsartan Medical Valley
Stopping treatment with Valsartan Medical Valley may worsen your condition. You should not stop taking Valsartan Medical Valley unless your doctor advises you to.
If you have any doubts about taking this medicine, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Valsartan Medical Valley can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects may be serious and may require immediate medical attention:
Angioedema (a specific allergic reaction) may occur, with symptoms such as:
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
- difficulty breathing or swallowing,
- hives, itching.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop taking Valsartan Medical Valley and contact your doctor immediately (see also section 2 "Warnings and precautions").
Other side effects:
Common:may affect up to 1 in 10 people
- dizziness
- low blood pressure, with symptoms such as dizziness and fainting when standing up or without such symptoms
- worsening of kidney function (symptoms of kidney problems).
Uncommon:may affect up to 1 in 100 people
- angioedema (see section "Some side effects may be serious and may require immediate medical attention"),
- sudden loss of consciousness (fainting),
- feeling of spinning (vertigo),
- significant worsening of kidney function (symptoms of acute kidney failure),
- muscle cramps, heart rhythm disturbances (symptoms of hyperkalemia),
- shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling of the feet or ankles (symptoms of heart failure),
- headache,
- cough,
- abdominal pain,
- nausea,
- diarrhea,
- feeling of tiredness,
- weakness.
Rare:may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
Angioedema of the intestine: swelling in the intestine with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Unknown: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
- blistering of the skin (symptoms of bullous dermatitis),
- allergic reactions with rash, itching, and hives; symptoms such as fever, swelling, and joint pain, muscle pain, swelling of lymph nodes, and/or flu-like symptoms (symptoms of serum sickness),
- purple-red spots, fever, itching (symptoms of vasculitis),
- unusual bleeding or bruising (symptoms of thrombocytopenia),
- muscle pain,
- fever, sore throat, or mouth ulcers due to infection (symptoms of neutropenia),
- decreased hemoglobin and red blood cell count in the blood (which can lead to anemia in severe cases),
- increased potassium levels in the blood (which can cause muscle cramps and heart rhythm disturbances in severe cases),
- increased liver enzyme values (which may indicate liver damage), including increased bilirubin levels in the blood (which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes in severe cases),
- increased urea and creatinine levels in the blood (which may indicate kidney problems),
- low sodium levels in the blood (which can cause fatigue, disorientation, muscle tremors, and/or seizures in severe cases).
The frequency of some side effects may vary depending on the disease.
For example, side effects such as dizziness and kidney problems are observed less frequently in adult patients treated for high blood pressure than in adult patients treated for heart failure or after a recent heart attack.
Side effects observed in children and adolescents are similar to those observed in adult patients.
Reporting side effects
If you experience any side effects, including those not listed in this leaflet, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices, and Biocidal Products:
Al. Jerozolimskie 181 C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5.
How to store Valsartan Medical Valley
Do not store above 30°C.
Store in the original package to protect from moisture
- Store out of sight and reach of children.
- Do not take Valsartan Medical Valley after the expiry date stated on the package.
- The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
- Do not take Valsartan Medical Valley if you notice damage to the packaging or signs of attempted opening.
- Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. You should ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Valsartan Medical Valley contains
- The active substance is valsartan. Each film-coated tablet contains 80 mg or 160 mg of valsartan.
- The other ingredients are: microcrystalline cellulose (E 460), anhydrous colloidal silica (E 551), sorbitol (E 420), magnesium carbonate (E 504), maize starch, povidone K-25 (E 1201), sodium stearyl fumarate, crospovidone type A (E 1202). Coating: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose (E 464), titanium dioxide (E 171), macrogol 4000, and Valsartan Medical Valley 80 mg, additionally, red iron oxide (E 172). Valsartan Medical Valley 160 mg, additionally, yellow iron oxide (E 172) and brown iron oxide (E 172)
What Valsartan Medical Valley looks like and contents of the pack
Valsartan Medical Valley 80 mg: Pink, cylindrical, film-coated tablets with a dividing line.
Valsartan Medical Valley 160 mg: Cylindrical, film-coated tablets in ochre color, with a dividing line
Pack contents: 7, 14, 28, 56, 98, or 280 film-coated tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder and manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder
Medical Valley Invest AB
Brädgårdsvägen 28
236 32 Höllviken
Sweden
Manufacturer
Laboratorios LICONSA, S.A.
Avda. Miralcampo, Nº 7, Polígono Industrial Miralcampo
19200 Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara), SPAIN
Laboratorios CINFA, S.A.
Olaz Chipi, 10, Polígono Areta
31620 Huarte (Pamplona), SPAIN
Zentiva k.s
U kabelovny 130
102 37 Prague
Czech Republic
For more detailed information, you should contact the representative of the marketing authorization holder.
This medicinal product is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Netherlands:
Valsartan Xiromed 80 mg/160 mg film-coated tablets
Bulgaria:
Vamadrid 80 mg/160 mg film-coated tablets
Estonia:
Vamadrid
Hungary:
Vamadrid 80 mg/160 mg film-coated tablets
Ireland:
Valsartan Rowa 80 mg/160 mg film-coated tablets
Italy:
Vamadrid 80 mg/160 mg film-coated tablets
Luxembourg:
Vamadrid 80 mg/160 mg film-coated tablets
Poland:
Valsartan Medical Valley
Portugal:
Vamadrid
Date of last revision of the leaflet: 01/2025