is an oral medication that helps to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure, such as atrial fibrillation (Afib). is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). Other ARBs include (), (), and ().
Angiotensin receptor blockers stop angiotensin from attaching to receptors, which is what causes blood vessels to constrict and increase blood pressure (hypertension). ARBs like work instead to dilate the blood vessels, thus reducing blood pressure.
, sold as , requires a prescription. Talk to your doctor or a healthcare professional to find out if is right for you.
In most patients, is well-tolerated. However, the drug can cause various side effects. These side effects may include:
- dizziness
- coughing
- headaches
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- nausea
Some of the more extreme side effects may include:
- impotence
- allergic reactions
- hyperkalemia
- reduced renal function
The rarest, but also more serious, side effects are rhabdomyolysis, which is the inflammation and destruction of muscle, and angioedema, which is the swelling of soft tissues such as those in the throat and larynx.
Adults who have high blood pressure will require a dosage of 80 to 160 mg of once daily. The maximum dosage is 320 mg in a day. Blood pressure should be reduced within four weeks.
In the case of congestive heart failure, the dosage should be 40 mg delivered twice daily. This can occasionally be increased to 80-160 mg twice daily.
After a heart attack, the initial dose should be 20 mg delivered twice daily. This dosage may be increased to 160 mg twice daily if the patient tolerates the drug without experiencing any serious side effects.
If is combined with potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium, hyperkalemia may develop.
For elderly patients, or those who are fluid-depleted or with poor kidney function, combining or other ARBs with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may result in reduced kidney function, including kidney failure. However, these effects are often reversible.
should not be used during pregnancy.
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Posted on March 24, 2023