A new blood-pressure treatment has come on the market that is of potential interest to hypertension patients whose blood pressure is not being adequately controlled with monotherapy.
Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Novartis’ Valturna (aliskiren and valsartan), which combines in a single pill valsartan, the active ingredient in Diovan — the top-selling branded high blood pressure medicine — and aliskiren, the active ingredient in Tekturna — the only approved direct renin inhibitor (DRI).
Valturna is the first and only medicine to target two key points within the renin system, an important regulator of blood pressure. It is suitable for patients whose high blood pressure has not been adequately controlled on aliskiren alone, or by an angiotensin receptor blocker, such as Diovan, alone. It could also be considered as an initial treatment for patients who are likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals.
Valturna targets the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) in two ways. The valsartan component blocks, at the receptor level, the action of angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to tighten and narrow. The aliskiren component directly inhibits renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that starts a process that leads to formation of angiotensin II. This helps blood vessels relax and open.
Because Valturna combines two different types of blood pressure drug, it offers greater blood pressure reduction than either drug would alone. It also seems conceivable having both medications available in one pill would help consumers with drug costs and insurance coverage.
Cautions: Women of child-bearing age should be particularly careful with this medicine. AVOID USE IN PREGNANCY. Do not take if you are breastfeeding or if you are planning to become pregnant. If pregnancy is detected, discontinue Valturna as soon as possible. This is because drugs that act on the renin system can cause injury and death to the unborn baby. Other serious reactions to be aware of when taking Valturna are a risk of head and neck angioedema (a rapid swelling of the flesh), and hypotension (low blood pressure). If either of these are suspected, call your physican immediately. Side effects of Valturna are the same as those of its two component medications, valsartan and aliskiren. Patients may experience tiredness, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, flu, or dizziness. Consult your doctor before taking this or any other medication.
this combo drugs info says it will save money except that it’s not covered on my formulary or 2 others that I checked which means I must buy it at full price and out of pocket to me to the tune of $100 plus per month.Where can I save $
I was told by my doctor that this medication was experimental. and that it was my tongue got swollen one day, the next day i awoke with my lips swollen, the third day my left hand was swollen. On the second day i saw my doctor and i was given 2 shots. 1 to block the affects of the pill and the 2nd to relieve pain which i told the nurse i had none. I was told by my doctor that i had a bad reaction.
Valturna has been a wonderful drug for me. I have uncontrolable blood pressure and this is the onl;y thing that keeps my bloodpressure at normal levels
I’ve been taking Valturna 150/160 for about two months with no improvement in BP. After the first month my doctor added a diuretic, but that hasn’t helped either. My BP remains about 150/100 with fluctuations of up to 180/100 and down to 135/90.
Has anyone had any heart fluttering while taking the Valturna?
Thanks.
I have been takeing Valturna 150/160 for about 3 weeks. It seems to keep my bp lower and a manageable level. But I sometimes have a fall in bp. Ex.96/66. Don’t know if it is the med or a medical condition. But without the medication my bp reaches 166/105.
I took valturna and had a reaction to Dionvan. Three days after I started taking it my legs started to swell. I gained 40 pounds in fluid. I think it should be taken off the market.
Brenda, Diovan is the most widely proscribed drug in it’s class and is used around the world. The fact you had a reaction is rather meaningless to everyone but you. One data point does not make for a good case when you look at the millions taking it with no reaction. If youa re allergic to a drug that does not make the drug bad for every drug be it man made of nature made their is going to be a small percentage of the population that will have a negative reaction. I think you just a little ignorant on how drugs work and how well tested Diovan is. As tot he 40lbs. in water weight are you telling us you consumed 40lbs. of water containing fluids in 72 hours time? You body can not make much water on it’s own metabolic water happens on the cellular level. SO in order to gain that much fluid you had to not only have a reaction but also be consuming that large volume of fluids as well.
So when you gained say 10-20lbs. of water weight that did not set off alarm bells??? You just kept taking it and ignoring the side effects?
I have a lot of allergies and when I have a reaction I do not keep taking what ever is causing it! Gaining that amount of water weight could have killed you if you get enough fluid built up around the heart it can not relax to refill with blood and you die.
Do try to be more alert and responsible for your health because at the end of the day you have to be responsible for your own health!
I am glad you are fine and found something better but before you demonize a well proven drug with a good track record over all stop and think first.
I take the combo in valturna but I take them seperately since my insurance will cover the two drugs int he combo pill but will cover them seperately.
Strangely, I have had good results with Diovan, but Valturna has only a mild effect. Plus it may be giving me back pains and a feeling of overall malaise. I found this out when I accidentally didn’t take it. Then skipped it for another day on purpose and then went back on it. (My BP did go higher, but not by much.) I am going to ask to try something else.
I have been taking Valturna for almost two years now and it works great for me.Someone made a comment about the expense of the medication. I was able to get a coupon for the medication for 1/2 off the prescription so now I’m only paying 60 dollars for it. Ask your doctor if he or she can help you with that. It was my doctor who gave it to me.
Valturna is a way for the pharmaceutical company (Novartis) to make money off of you – Patents run 20 years – once a medication looses it’s patent the game is to combine medications into a “new” one with a brand new 20 year patent…you pay out your pocket…ALWAYS ask your doctor to class of medication you are taking ACE Inhibitor? Beta Blocker? Calcium Channel Blocker? Diuretic? Then ask -Doesn’t this come in a GENERIC FORM? Save a ton of money – most generics will cost you $4 bucks a pop.
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I’ve been taking Valturna for months, along with one drug from each antihypertensive class. I continue to have out-of-control HBP. Just learned I have FMD, Fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal arteries. Need angioplasty. Others may benefit from this info.
hi,
can i use this medicine without doctor’s consent.
BR
Syedur
It is always recommended to consult your doctor before taking any medication. You especially need to check for any adverse drug reactions if you are taking any other vitamins or prescription medications. Hope this helps