Introduction
Cardival Plus 80 is a combination of two medicines. It helps to control high blood pressure in different ways. If high blood pressure is not treated it can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.
You can take Cardival Plus 80 with or without food. The dose will depend on your condition and how your respond to the medicine. Try to take it at the same time each day. It is important to keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you not to. It contains a diuretic (water pill) and will make you urinate more so, it is best to avoid taking this medicine within four hours of going to bed. Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it even if you feel well. High blood pressure does not usually have symptoms and if you stop taking it your risk of heart attack or stroke may increase.
The most common side effect is dizziness. Other side effects include feeling tired, nausea, diarrhoea, headache and decreased blood pressure. Frequent urination is not a side effect of this medicine. It is the purpose of hydrochlorothiazide and helps control your blood pressure. You may experience other possible side effects, but most are rare. Hydrochlorothiazide may occasionally lead to an increase in pressure in your eye and lead to permanent eye damage if not treated. Make sure you read the leaflet that comes with your medicines and tell your doctor if you are bothered by side effects or they do not go away. It may be possible to adjust your dose or try a different medicine.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless your doctor has told you to. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding and you should ask your doctor before taking it if you have kidney or liver disease, heart trouble or diabetes. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may cause side effects.
Uses of Cardival Plus 80
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Side effects of Cardival Plus 80
Common
- Nausea
- Taste change
- Diarrhea
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness
- Decreased blood pressure
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Increased blood lipid level
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Increased blood uric acid
- Glucose intolerance
How to use Cardival Plus 80
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Cardival Plus 80 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Cardival Plus 80 works
Cardival Plus 80 is a combination of two medicines: Valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide which lower blood pressure effectively. Valsartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It works by blocking the hormone angiotensin thereby relaxing blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Over time it also relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.
Indication
Hypertension, Diabetic nephropathy
Adult Dose
Hypertension
1 tablet/day PO (80-160 mg valsartan/12.5-25 mg hydrochlorothiazide); may be titrated after 1-2 weeks of therapy; not to exceed 320 mg valsartan/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily
Renal Dose
Renal impairment:
CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation
<30 Not recommended.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide or sulphonamides. Severe hepatic impairment, creatinine clearance <30ml/min, anuria, cirrhosis, biliary obstruction, conditions where there is increased potassium loss (e.g. salt losing nephropathies and pre-renal impairment of kidney function), refractory hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypercalcaemia, hyperuricaemia, history of gout and uric acid stones, untreated Addison's disease. Pregnancy and lactation.
Mode of Action
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and reduces blood pressure by blocking the vasoconstrictive and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic.
Precaution
DM, postsympathectomy patients. May exacerbate SLE. Monitor serum potassium regularly. Observe for signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance. Discontinue before testing for parathyroid function. May affect ability to drive or operate machinery. Elderly.
Lactation: Discontinue drug, or do not nurse
Side Effect
1-10%
Valsartan
Hyperkalemia (4-10%),Dizziness (2-8%),Hypotension (1-7%),Fatigue (3%)
Frequency Not Defined
Hydrochlorothiazide
Anorexia,Epigastric distress,Hypotension,Orthostatic hypotension,Photosensitivity,Anaphylaxis,Anemia,Confusion,Erythema multiforme,Stevens-Johnson syndrome,Exfoliative dermatitis including toxic epidermal necrolysis,Dizziness,Hypokalemia and/or hypomagnesemia,Hyperuricemia
Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy category: 1st trimester, C; 2nd and 3rd trimesters, D
Interaction
Increased antihypertensive effect with other antihypertensive drugs. Monitor potassium frequently if used with potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes containing potassium, or drugs that may affect potassium levels (e.g. heparin, ciclosporin, drospirenone, amphotericin, corticosteroids, carbenoxolone). Reduced antihypertensive effect of valsartan and increased risk of renal impairment with NSAIDs. May reduce renal clearance of cytotoxic drugs (e.g. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate). Increased serum calcium with vitamin D or calcium salts.
Potentially Fatal: Increased lithium levels with valsartan, monitor lithium levels. Increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia with dofetilide, avoid use.