Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide

Before taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, gout (inflammation and pain in joints), loss of water and minerals from the body, and skin cancer. If you have diarrhea, vomiting or sweating, immediately inform your doctor as it may cause serious loss of body water and risk of lightheadedness (feeling of dizziness and faintness). Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide may affect the blood sugar, inform your doctor if you have diabetes and regularly monitor your blood sugar level. This Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide may increase skin cancer risk, thus avoiding going in the sun and using sunscreen, and wearing protective cloth when you are going out. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless the doctor has told you. This Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be used for children as the safety and efficacy of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide in children have not been established. You are recommended not to consume alcohol and Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage. Drive with caution, Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.

Drug-drug interaction: This medicine may interact with an antidepressant (lithium), antidiabetic medicines (metformin, insulin), other anti-hypertensive medicines (atenolol, aliskiren, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril, metoprolol), pain killers (ibuprofen, codeine), medicines used for arthritis (dexamethasone).

Drug-food Interaction: Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with high potassium-containing food and drinks. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor. Also, alcohol should not be consumed while taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide.

Drug-Disease Interaction: The efficacy of Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a recent or history of heart disease, low blood pressure, low potassium level, thyroid disease, asthma, diabetes, and allergy.

• Keep your weight under control with BMI of 19.5-24.9.
• Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
• Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
• If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
• Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
• Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
• Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
• Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.

• Do not use Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or unable to urinate.
• If you have diabetes and taking Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide with other blood pressure-lowering pills like 'aliskiren,' immediately stop taking both together and consult a doctor, as it may cause serious complications.
• Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while using Valsartan+hydrochlorothiazide unless your doctor has told you to do so.