Co-Diovan 160/12.5 mg 28 tablets

Product Description:

• Please note that your doctor may have prescribed the medicine for different uses and/or at a different dose than stated in the package leaflet.
• Always follow your doctor's instructions shown on the pharmacy label.
• Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide coated tablets contain two active ingredients called valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
• These two active ingredients help treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Valsartan:

• It belongs to a group of medicines called "angiotensin II receptor antagonists," which are used to treat high blood pressure.
• Angiotensin II is a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to increased blood pressure.
• Valsartan works by blocking the effects of angiotensin II.
• The result is that blood vessels relax and blood pressure decreases.

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• It belongs to a group of medicines called thiazide diuretics (also known as "water pills").
• Hydrochlorothiazide increases the amount of urine, which also lowers blood pressure.
• Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure when treatment with either active ingredient alone does not produce sufficient effect.
• High blood pressure increases the workload on the heart and arteries. If left untreated, it can damage blood vessels in the brain, heart, and kidneys, leading to stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.
• High blood pressure increases the risk of a heart attack.
• When blood pressure drops to normal levels, the risk of developing these disorders decreases.

Instructions for use:

• Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.
• This will help you achieve the best possible result and reduce the risk of side effects.
• Contact a doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• People with high blood pressure often don't notice symptoms.
• Many people feel well, so it's very important to keep appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.
• Your doctor will tell you exactly how many valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide tablets to take. Depending on how you respond to treatment, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dose.
• The recommended dose of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide is one tablet daily.

Do not change the dose or stop treatment without consulting your doctor.

• The medication should be taken at the same time each day, usually in the morning.
• You can take valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide regardless of meals.
• The tablet should be swallowed with a glass of water.

If you take too much valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide:

• Contact a doctor or hospital if you take too much medicine or if a child takes the medicine by accident.
• For other questions about the medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you feel severe dizziness and/or feel like you're going to faint, lie down and contact your doctor immediately. Contact a doctor, pharmacy, or hospital if you accidentally take too many tablets.

If you forget to take valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide:

• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. You should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
• If you stop treatment with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide:
• If you stop treatment with valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide, it may cause your blood pressure to get worse.
• Do not stop using the medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the use of this medicine.

Warnings and Precautions:

Do not use valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide:

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide, sulfonamide derivatives (compounds chemically related to hydrochlorothiazide), or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
• If you are more than 3 months pregnant (valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide should also be avoided in early pregnancy - see Pregnancy and Breastfeeding section)
• If you have serious liver disease, damage to the small bile ducts in the liver (biliary cirrhosis) leads to a buildup of bile in the liver (cholestasis).
• If you have serious kidney disease
• If you do not pass urine (anuria)
• If you are undergoing dialysis treatment
• If you have very low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood, or if you have too much calcium in your blood, despite treatment for this
• If you have gout
• If you have diabetes or decreased kidney function and are being treated with a high blood pressure medicine containing aliskiren
• If any of the above apply to you, contact your doctor and do not take valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

Talk to your doctor:

• If you are taking potassium-sparing medications, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, or other medications that increase blood potassium levels, such as heparin, regular monitoring of your blood potassium level may be necessary.
• If you have low levels of potassium in your blood

If you suffer from:

• severe diarrhea or vomiting
• If you are using high doses of diuretics ("water pills")
• If you have a serious heart condition
• If you have heart failure or have had a heart attack.

Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding the starting dose carefully:

Your doctor may also want to check your kidney function:

• If you have renal artery stenosis
• If you have recently had a kidney transplant (received a kidney)
• If you suffer from hyperaldosteronism.
• This is a disease in which the adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone aldosterone.
• If this applies to you, valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended.
• If you have liver or kidney disease

If you have ever had swelling of the tongue and face caused by an allergic reaction called angioedema when using other medicines (including ACE inhibitors):

• Tell your doctor if you experience these symptoms while using valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide.
• Stop using valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide immediately and do not use it again.
• If you have fever, rash, and joint pain, which may be symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, a so-called autoimmune disease)
• If you have diabetes, gout, or high levels of cholesterol or fats (triglycerides) in your blood
• If you have previously had an allergic reaction to other blood pressure lowering medicines in the same group of medicines (angiotensin II antagonists), or if you suffer from allergies or asthma.
• If you experience blurred vision or eye pain.
• These may be symptoms of increased pressure in the eye and may occur within hours or a week after you start taking valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide.
• This can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
• There may be a greater risk of developing this if you have previously had allergic reactions to sulfonamides or penicillin.
• Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide may increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.
• If you are using any of the following medications for high blood pressure:
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), especially if you have diabetic kidney disease
• Aliskiren

the components:

The active ingredients are a combination of two drugs:

• Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide.

It is available in different strengths from many manufacturers:

• Valsartan 80 mg / Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg.
• Valsartan 160 mg / Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg.
• Valsartan 160 mg / Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg.
• Valsartan 320 mg / Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg.
• Valsartan 320 mg / Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg.