The uses and side effects of Valsartan

Introduction

Hypertension is one of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Uses

Valsartan is an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB).Valsartan comes as a tablet and a suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. Valsartan oral tablet is a prescription drug that's available as the brand-name drug Diovan. It's also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. The US brand names of this drug include Diovan and Prexxartan. Valsartan oral tablet is used to lower blood pressure, treat heart failure, or increase your chance of survival after a heart attack. In addition, Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) were shown to have antifibrotic properties in ocular and systemic diseases. Küçük et al. found that Valsartan inhibited the proliferation and migration of pterygium fibroblasts[1]. Consequently, valsartan could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for pterygium treatment.

Sacubitril and valsartan

Sacubitril/valsartan is a novel multi-pathway antihypertensive agent inhibiting the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and enhancing the natriuretic peptide system, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. Sacubitril is a prodrug of neprilysin inhibitor[2]. The previous study found that sacubitril/valsartan regulates RAAS in female spontaneous hypertensive rats compared with valsartan, thus exerting its antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects. In reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, the combination of these two drugs is superior to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor enalapril. Clinical practice guidelines have since afforded sacubitril/valsartan a Class I recommendation as a replacement for an ACE inhibitor[3]. In July 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved valsartan/sacubitril through the fast-track pathway for the treatment of patients with New York Heart Association class II through IV heart failure symptoms and a reduced ejection fraction[4].

Side effects

Common valsartan side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and headache. You may also have nausea and stomach pain. These side effects are generally tolerable and should improve once your body has adjusted to the medication. Rarely, valsartan can cause high blood potassium levels and kidney damage.

References

[1] Küçük E., "Inhibitory Effect of Valsartan on Pterygium Fibroblasts." Cornea 39(2020): 1139-1144.

[2] Chen, Jianshu, et al. "Effect of sacubitril/valsartan or valsartan on ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis in perimenopausal women with hypertension."Journal of hypertension(2023).

[3] Docherty, et al."Sacubitril/Valsartan."JACC: Heart Failure 8(2020): 800-810.

[4] Feldman, Arthur M, J. A. Haller, and S. T. Dekosky. "Valsartan/Sacubitril for Heart Failure: Reconciling Disparities Between Preclinical and Clinical Investigations. " Jama the Journal of the American Medical Association 315.1(2015):1-2.