Drug interaction of Valsartan
Valsartan↔Quinapril
Using quinapril together with valsartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest. You may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia while taking these medications if you are elderly, dehydrated, or have kidney disease, diabetes, or advanced heart failure.
Valsartan↔ Spironolactone
Using spironolactone together with valsartan may increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
Valsartan↔ Aliskiren
Using aliskiren together with valsartan may increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia.
Valsartan↔ Potassium bicarbonate
Talk to your doctor before using potassium bicarbonate together with valsartan. Combining these medications may significantly increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia.
Valsartan↔ Amiloride
Using amiloride together with valsartan may increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest. You may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia while using these medications if you are elderly, dehydrated, or have kidney disease, diabetes, or advanced heart failure. Regular or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen may also increase your risk.
Valsartan ↔ parenteral nutrition solution w/electrolytes
Talk to your doctor before using parenteral nutrition solution w/electrolytes together with valsartan. Combining these medications may significantly increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia.
Valsartan ↔ Potassium iodide
Talk to your doctor before using potassium iodide together with valsartan. Combining these medications may significantly increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia.
Valsartan ↔ Phenobarbital
Valsartan and Phenobarbital may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption.
Valsartan ↔ Codeine
Valsartan and codeine may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment.
Valsartan ↔ Sodium biphosphate
Bowel cleansing with sodium biphosphate can cause kidney failure, in some cases up to several months after the procedure. Although it rarely occurs, the risk is increased in individuals receiving treatment with valsartan, especially if they are also elderly or frail.
Valsartan ↔ Phenyl salicylate
Combining these medications may reduce the effects of valsartan in lowering blood pressure. In addition, these medications may affect your kidney function, especially when they are used together frequently or chronically.
Food Interactions of Valsartan
If you are taking valsartan you should avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements without first talking to your doctor. This can cause high levels of potassium in your blood. High levels of potassium can cause weakness, irregular heartbeat, confusion, tingling of the extremities, or feelings of heaviness in the legs. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
Disease Interactions of Valsartan
Valsartan ↔ Hypotension
Angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists can cause symptomatic hypotension in patients with an activated renin-angiotensin system, such as volume- and/or sodium-depleted patients. Therapy with AR antagonists should be administered cautiously in such patients and in those predisposed to hypovolemic or hyponatremic states (e.g., patients on diuretic therapy, especially if high doses were used or if recently instituted; those on dietary salt restriction; renal dialysis patients).
Valsartan ↔ CHF
In patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF), treatment with AR antagonists has been associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotemia and, rarely, renal failure, myocardial ischemia, and death.
Valsartan↔ Renal Artery Stenosis
In patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis or renal artery stenosis in a solitary kidney, angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists may reduce renal perfusion to a critically low level. Increases in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen have been reported with ACE inhibitors, a class of drugs that also block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Although there are no long-term data on the use of AR antagonists in patients with renal artery stenosis, a similar effect should be anticipated. Renal function should be monitored closely for the first few weeks of therapy.
Valsartan ↔ Renal/Liver Disease
Valsartan is primarily eliminated by biliary excretion, and a minority is excreted in the urine. Dosage adjustments are not necessary in patients with renal impairment unless they are also volume-depleted, in which case therapy should be initiated under medical supervision. Likewise, patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment or biliary obstruction generally do not require a dosage adjustment. The manufacturer recommends administering valsartan therapy with caution in patients with impaired renal and/or liver function, particularly if these conditions are severe.