Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S

About

Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S combines two chemical groups in one tablet with the purpose of lowering raised blood pressure (Hypertension) levels to normal (120/80mmHg).One of the chemical group is angiotensin II receptor blocker (Valsartan) which works by blocking angiotensin (which is a natural hormone found in the body that works by narrowing the diameter of blood vessels).The second chemical group is a calcium channel blocker (Amlodipine),they ease the pumping of blood by the heart and prevent narrowing of blood vessels by preventing calcium (needed by cells/muscles to contract) from gaining entry into the cells thereby,making sure that the flow and release of blood from the heart and vessels continues normally. 

Hypertension left untreated can cause severe damage to the brain,heart,kidney,blood vessels and other body organs.A tablet a day of Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is prescribed to the patient for the optimum performance of their heart muscles and blood vessels.Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S may be ingested with or without food and the dose may be lowered for elderly patients and for patients with kidney impairment.

Despite its great many benefits,Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is not prescribed to patients under the age of 18 nor is it prescribed to women who are pregnant,lactating or trying to conceive.Please note that before intaking any medicine of any kind it is imperative that it be discussed with the doctor who is aware of your medical history.Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is to be stored away from direct sunlight at room temperature and kept away from moisture.

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Description

Indications

Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S can be used to treat:

  • High blood pressure 

How Does Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S Work

Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S combines two chemical groups in one tablet with the purpose of lowering raised blood pressure (Hypertension) levels to normal (120/80mmHg).One of the chemical group is angiotensin II receptor blocker (Valsartan) which works by blocking angiotensin (which is a natural hormone found in the body that works by narrowing the diameter of blood vessels).The second chemical group is a calcium channel blocker (Amlodipine),they ease the pumping of blood by the heart and prevent narrowing of blood vessels by preventing calcium (needed by cells/muscles to contract) from gaining entry into the cells thereby,making sure that the flow and release of blood from the heart and vessels continues normally.

How To Use Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S

A tablet of Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is prescribed per day to be taken orally (by mouth) either with or without food.Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S’s dosage may differ for each patient as the treatment regime for each patient depends upon their weight,stage of illness,each patient’s response to Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S and any pre-existing medical condition a patient might have.Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is not prescribed to patients under the age of 18 years nor is it prescribed to expecting,lactating mothers nor to women who are planning to start a family.

The dosage may increase or decrease after the initial two weeks depending on the patient’s response to the treatment,change in dose is necessary if blood pressure levels have not improved or if the patient is experiencing side effects of Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S.It is advised to not stop treatment abruptly without consulting a doctor as the risk of heart failure and stroke is significantly increased without the drug.If you miss a dose of the medication,make sure you take it as soon as possible on that same day.If you don’t remember you missed the dose until the next day,do not double the dose and take your medication as per schedule as that will lead to serious adverse effects.If this happens very often, try setting an alarm as a reminder.

Dosage

Adult Dosage

One tablet is prescribed to be taken every day,in the beginning of the treatment.Dose of Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S may be altered after a two week grace period depending upon the patient’s reaction to the drug.

Child Dosage

For patients under the age of 18 years,Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is not considered safe and is therefore not prescribed.

Elderly Dosage

For patients under the age of 65 years,due to decreased kidney function,Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S may not be effectively removed from the body and so,in such cases the doctor may prescribe a lower dose of the Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S. 

Pregnancy Use And Lactation

This drug is not to be taken or prescribed to expecting and lactating mothers as it may have fatal consequences for the unborn child.If you are taking the drug and become pregnant,inform your doctor immediately.Small amounts of this drug can be transferred to the child through breast milk and therefore cause low blood pressure in the child thus Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S isn’t recommended to lactating mothers.If you are planning to conceive and are taking Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S as treatment, then refer to the doctor.The physician is likely to change your medicine and dosage.

Contraindications

Please tell your doctor if you have a history of any of the following before using Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S:

  • Biliary cholestasis (condition where bile can not flow from liver to duodenum)
  • Severe hepatic impairment (liver damage)
  • Dialysis 
  • Severe hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Shock (state of insufficient blood flow to the tissues of the body) 
  • Left ventricular outflow obstruction (congenital heart defect)
  • Unstable heart failure following MI (heart attack)
  • Primary hyperaldosteronism (excessive hormone aldosterone production from adrenal glands).

Precautions

Please tell your doctor about any of the following conditions before using Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S

  • Mild to moderate hepatic (liver) impairment
  • Biliary obstruction (blockage of bile ducts)
  • Salt or volume depletion
  • Aortic or mitral stenosis (heart valve narrowing)
  • Malignant hyperthermia (severe reaction to certain drugs used for anesthesia)
  • Hypertensive crisis (severe increase in blood pressure)
  • Moderate to severe renal (kidney) impairment 
  • Renal artery stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels in kidney)
  • Heart failure or post MI (heart attack); monitor renal function
  • Old age.

Please monitor serum potassium in the elderly and in renal impairment (kidney damage) before taking the Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S.

Interactions With Other Medications

Please tell your doctor about the use of the following before using Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S:

  • K supplements
  • K -sparing diuretics
  • K -containing salt substitutes or other drugs that may increase K levels (heparin etc)
  • Other antihypertensives
  • Lithium
  • Heparin
  • NSAIDs
  • Simvastatin
  • Ritonavir
  • Rifampicin
  • Dantrolene
  • Cyclosporin
  • Grapefruit juice
  • CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers.

Adverse Effects

Like most medicines,Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S has certain side effects which include:

Common Adverse Effects

These effects are mild and tend to resolve on their own in a couple of days.

  • Nasopharyngitis (cold)
  • Flu
  • Headache
  • Oedema (swelling) (pitting, facial, peripheral)
  • Fatigue
  • Flushing
  • Somnolence (sleepiness)
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea

Rare Adverse Effects

If any of the following adverse effects are seen or felt,the patient is advised to immediately contact their doctor.

  • Reports of angioedema (swelling just under the skin and mucous membranes)
  • Asthaenia (abnormal physical weakness)
  • Hypokalaemia (low blood potassium levels)
  • Palpitations
  • Muscle weakness
  • Change in the amount of urine 

How To Cope With Some Of The Adverse Effects

  • Headaches– In which case make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid the use of alcohol. Take a prescribed painkiller. Consult your doctor if the headaches last longer than a week or are severe.
  • Feeling dizzy or weak -If the medication makes you feel dizzy or weak, stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better and do not rise too fast or immediately from a sitting or lying down position to a standing posture. Do not drive or use tools or machinery in case of any of these effects.
  • Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) or diarrhoea -Avoid eating rich or spicy food. It might help to take medication after food. If you’re being sick, try drinking small, frequent sips of water. If you have diarrhoea, replenish with plenty of water or other fluids. 
  • Fatigue – Patients are advised to have a healthy diet with a healthy balance of fruits and vegetables to help reduce fatigue in patients.Avoid unnecessary activities for a few days.
  • Cold and flu symptoms– patients are advised to keep away from cold food and drinks.Patients may take medicines (prescribed by a physician) to manage fever..Avoid unnecessary activities for a few days as rest is very important.

Key Facts About Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S

  • Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S combines two chemical groups to help prevent the narrowing of blood vessels and allowing easy passage to the blood through the blood vessels and to the organs 
  • Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is not recommended to pregnant and lactating mothers or to women planning on starting a family
  • A tablet is prescribed per day,the first dose is to be taken before bed time as it may cause drowsiness
  • Common adverse effects of Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S are fatigue and dizziness but they dont last for more than a day or two of starting the drug 
  • Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is safe to use in patients over the age of 18 for the treatment of hypertension or essential hypertension.

FAQs

#1.CAN LIFESTYLE CHANGES HELP ME WITH MY CONDITION?

Yes.You can adopt certain healthy lifestyle changes in order to help with high blood pressure.These include quitting smoking,avoiding alcohol, eating a wholesome diet consisting of fresh vegetables and fruits with the cut down of salt, and incorporating physical activity in your daily routine.

#2.CAN I TAKE Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S DURING MY PREGNANCY?

No.Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S has been known to cause harm to the fetus and cause complications during pregnancy.Hence,it is advised to consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or may think you are pregnant.Small amounts of this drug can be transferred to the child through breast milk and therefore cause low blood pressure in the child thus Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S isn’t recommended to lactating mothers.If you are planning to conceive and are taking Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S as treatment,then refer to the doctor.The physician is likely to change your medicine and dosage.

#3.WHAT IF I TAKE TOO MUCH OF Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S?

In case of too much consumption by accident,kindly contact your doctor or nearby hospital straight away.The amount of medication that can result in severe side effects varies from person to person.An overdose results in slowing down of heart rate and difficulty breathing accompanied by dizziness and fainting spells.

#4.WHAT IF I FORGET TO TAKE THE Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S?

If you miss a dose of the medication,make sure you take it as soon as possible on that same day.If you don’t remember you missed the dose until the next day,do not double the dose and take your medication as per schedule as that will lead to serious adverse effects.If this happens very often,try setting an alarm as a reminder.

#5.IS IT SAFE TO HAVE Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S BEFORE UNDERGOING ANY SURGICAL PROCEDURE?

If the surgical procedure involves general anesthesia,the surgeon may ask the patient to stop their intake of the drug for 24 hours as general anesthesia also tends to lower blood pressure levels in a few patients.

#5.DOES Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S CAUSE ADDICTION?

No.This drug has shown no evidence to prove addiction of any kind in any patient.

#6.HOW DOES Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S WORK?

Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S combines two chemical groups in one tablet with the purpose of lowering raised blood pressure (Hypertension) levels to normal (120/80mmHg).One of the chemical group is angiotensin II receptor blocker (Valsartan) which works by blocking angiotensin (which is a natural hormone found in the body that works by narrowing the diameter of blood vessels).The second chemical group is a calcium channel blocker (Amlodipine),they ease the pumping of blood by the heart and prevent narrowing of blood vessels by preventing calcium (needed by cells/muscles to contract) from gaining entry into the cells thereby,making sure that the flow and release of blood from the heart and vessels continues normally. 

#7.HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO CONTINUE TAKING THE MEDICATION?

It is a long-term treatment and you might have to continue taking the medication even for the rest of your life.

#8.CAN I CONSUME ALCOHOL WITH Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S?

Alcohol is also known to lower your blood pressure which if taken with the medication may lead to extreme dizziness.It is best to avoid the intake of alcohol during the course of your treatment.

#9.HOW IS Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN?

The medicine can be ingested orally (from the mouth) either with or without food and is to be taken with water to ease the medicine into the throat.

#10.IS IT SAFE TO TAKE CHOLESTEROL MEDICINES ALONG WITH Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S?

Certain cholesterol medications along with calcium channel blockers (amlodipine) cause increased retention of cholesterol medication in the body which may lead to liver and kidney failure and therefore,it is advised to consult a doctor before taking any other medication along with Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S.

#11.CAN I DRIVE AFTER TAKING THIS MEDICATION?

This medication is known to make you dizzy hence, if that happens kindly avoid driving or operating any heavy machinery.

#12.CAN I USE NSAIDS TO MANAGE COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS CAUSED BY Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S?

Nsaids are not advised to be taken while undergoing treatment with Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S as it may lead to kidney failure.

#13.HOW TO STORE Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S?

Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is to be stored away from direct sunlight and humidity in a cold dry environment.Storage of Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S in bathroom cabinets is not recommended.Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S is to be kept away from the reach of children and animals.

#14.WHAT LAB TESTS WILL BE PRESCRIBED WHILE TREATMENT WITH Valtec-AM 10/160mg Tablet 14 ‘S AND HOW OFTEN?

Kidney and liver function tests along with blood tests to keep a check on serum potassium levels are advised to be done periodically.It is also advised that patients learn to monitor their own blood pressure levels daily from the comfort of their homes and inform their doctor of any changes seen.

Additional information

Type

Tablet

Feature

10/160mg

Unit

'S

Formula

Amlodipine

Composition

Valsartan 160 mg + Amlodipine 10 mg

Brand

Tabros Pharma (Pvt) Ltd

Prescription Required

Yes