Valsartan Cinfa 160 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Introduction

Package leaflet: information for the user

valsartán cinfa 160 mg film-coated tablets EFG

Read the entire leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only; do not give it to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you, because it could harm them.
• If you experience any adverse effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if these effects are not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Leaflet contents

1. What valsartán cinfa is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking valsartán cinfa
3. How to take valsartán cinfa
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store valsartán cinfa
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What valsartán cinfa is and what it is used for

valsartán cinfa contains the active substance: valsartán, and belongs to a class of medicines known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists, which help control high blood pressure. Angiotensin II is a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to narrow, resulting in increased blood pressure. Valsartán works by blocking the effect of angiotensin II. As a result, blood vessels relax and blood pressure decreases.

valsartán cinfa can be used for three different conditions:

• To treat high blood pressure in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6 to under 18 years.

High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and arteries. If left untreated, it can damage the blood vessels in the brain, heart, and kidneys, and may lead to stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attacks. Lowering blood pressure to normal levels reduces the risk of developing these disorders.

• To treat adult patients after a recent heart attack (myocardial infarction). "Recent" means within 12 hours to 10 days,
• To treat symptomatic heart failure in adult patients. Valsartán is used when a group of medicines called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) (a medication for treating heart failure) cannot be used, or may be used in addition to ACE inhibitors when other heart failure treatments cannot be used.

Symptoms of heart failure include difficulty breathing and swelling of the feet and legs due to fluid retention. This occurs because the heart muscle cannot pump blood strongly enough to supply the body's needs.

2. What you need to know before taking valsartan cinfa

Do not take valsartán cinfa

• if you are allergic to valsartan or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you have severe liver disease.
• if you are more than 3 months pregnant (it is also advisable to avoid valsartan during the first months of pregnancy – see Pregnancy section).
• if you have diabetes or kidney failure and are being treated with a blood pressure-lowering medicine containing aliskiren.

If any of the above situations apply to you, inform your doctor and do not take valsartán

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking valsartán cinfa

• if you have liver disease.

• if you have kidney disease or are undergoing dialysis.

• if you have narrowing of the artery to the kidney (renal artery stenosis).

• if you have recently undergone a kidney transplant (received a new kidney).

• if you have a serious heart condition other than heart failure or heart attack.

• if you have previously experienced swelling of the tongue and face due to an allergic reaction called angioedema while taking other medicines (including ACE inhibitors), inform your doctor. If you develop these symptoms while taking valsartan, stop treatment immediately and never take valsartan again. See also section 4 “Possible side effects”.

• if you are taking medicines that increase potassium levels in the blood. These include potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines, and heparin. Regular monitoring of blood potassium levels may be necessary.

• if you have aldosteronism, a condition in which the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone hormone. In this case, valsartan is not recommended.

• if you have lost a lot of fluid (dehydration) due to diarrhea, vomiting, or high doses of diuretics (medicines that increase urine output).

• if you are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high blood pressure:

• an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (for example enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), particularly if you have kidney problems related to diabetes.

• aliskiren

• if you are being treated with an ACE inhibitor together with other specific medicines for heart failure, known as mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) (e.g., spironolactone, eplerenone) or beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol).

Talk to your doctor if you experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after taking valsartan. Your doctor will decide whether to continue treatment. Do not stop taking valsartan on your own.

Your doctor may monitor your kidney function, blood pressure, and blood levels of electrolytes (e.g., potassium) at regular intervals.

See also the information under the heading “Do not take valsartán cinfa”.

You must inform your doctor if you think you are (or might be) pregnant. Valsartan is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken after the third month of pregnancy as it may cause serious harm to your baby if taken during this period (see Pregnancy section).

Other medicines and valsartán cinfa

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might need to take any other medicines.

The effect of valsartan treatment may be altered when taken with certain medicines. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose and/or take other precautions, or in some cases, stop treatment with one of the medicines. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, especially:

• other medicines that lower blood pressure, particularly diuretics (medicines that increase urine output), ACE inhibitors (such as enalapril, lisinopril, etc.), or aliskiren (see also information under the headings “Do not take valsartán cinfa” and “Warnings and precautions”).
• medicines that increase potassium levels in the blood. These include potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, potassium-sparing medicines, and heparin.
• certain pain medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• some antibiotics (rifampicin group), a medicine used to prevent transplant rejection (cyclosporine), or an antiretroviral medicine used to treat HIV/AIDS (ritonavir). These medicines may increase the effect of valsartan.
• lithium, a medicine used to treat certain psychiatric conditions.

Additionally:

• if you are being treated after a heart attack, combination with ACE inhibitors (a medicine used to treat heart attack) is not recommended.
• if you are being treated for heart failure, the triple combination with ACE inhibitors and other specific medicines for heart failure, known as mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) (e.g., spironolactone, eplerenone) or beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol) is not recommended.

Taking valsartán cinfa with food and drink

You may take valsartan with or without food.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

• You must inform your doctor if you are pregnant (or suspect you might be). Your doctor will usually advise you to stop taking valsartan before becoming pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant, and will recommend an alternative medicine. Valsartan is not recommended during early pregnancy, and must not be used from the third month of pregnancy onwards, as it may cause serious harm to your baby when used from this stage.
• Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding. Use of valsartan during breastfeeding is not recommended, and your doctor will choose another treatment for you if you wish to breastfeed, especially if your baby is a newborn or premature.

Driving and using machines

Before driving, operating tools, or handling machinery, or performing any activity requiring concentration, make sure you know how valsartan affects you. Like many other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, valsartan may rarely cause dizziness and affect your ability to concentrate.

valsartán cinfa contains lactose.

If your doctor has informed you of an intolerance to certain sugars, consult him before taking this medicine.

valsartán cinfa contains sorbitol.

This medicine contains 18.5 mg of sorbitol per tablet.

valsartán cinfa contains sodium.

This medicine contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1 mmol) per tablet; essentially “sodium-free”.

3. How to take valsartan cinfa

Follow exactly the instructions for use of this medicine as given by your doctor or pharmacist. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

People with high blood pressure often do not experience any symptoms; many feel perfectly normal. This makes it very important to attend your medical appointments regularly, even if you feel well.

Adult patients with high blood pressure: The recommended dose is 80 mg once daily. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe higher doses (e.g. 160 mg or 320 mg). Valsartan may also be combined with another medicine (e.g. a diuretic).

Use in children and adolescents (6 to less than 18 years of age) with high blood pressure

In patients weighing less than 35 kg, the recommended dose is 40 mg of valsartan once daily.

In patients weighing 35 kg or more, the recommended starting dose is 80 mg of valsartan once daily.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe higher doses (the dose may be increased to 160 mg and up to a maximum of 320 mg).

Adult patients after a recent heart attack: After a heart attack, treatment is usually started within 12 hours, typically with a low starting dose of 20 mg, administered twice daily. The 20 mg dose is obtained by dividing the 40 mg tablet. Your doctor will gradually increase this dose over several weeks up to a maximum of 160 mg twice daily. The final dose will depend on your individual tolerance. Valsartan may be given together with other treatments for heart attack, and your doctor will decide which treatment is suitable for you.

Adult patients with heart failure: Treatment is usually initiated with 40 mg twice daily. Your doctor will gradually increase the dose over several weeks up to a maximum of 160 mg twice daily. The final dose will depend on your individual tolerance.

Valsartan may be administered together with other treatments for heart failure, and your doctor will decide which treatment is appropriate for you.

Valsartan can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. Take valsartan at approximately the same time each day.

The tablet may be divided into equal doses.

If you take more valsartan cinfa than you should

If you experience severe dizziness and/or fainting, contact your doctor immediately and lie down. In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, contact your doctor, pharmacist, or call the Toxicology Information Service immediately at telephone number 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount ingested.

If you forget to take valsartan cinfa

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking valsartan cinfa

If you discontinue treatment with valsartan, your condition may worsen. Do not stop taking the medicine unless instructed by your doctor.

If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Some adverse effects may be serious and may require immediate medical attention:

You may experience symptoms of angioedema (a specific allergic reaction), such as:

• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hives, itching

If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking valsartan and contact your doctor immediately (see also section 2 “Warnings and precautions”).

Other adverse effects include:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 patients):

• dizziness
• low blood pressure with or without symptoms such as dizziness and fainting upon standing
• reduced kidney function (signs of impaired kidney function)

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 patients):

• angioedema (see section “Some symptoms require immediate medical attention”)
• sudden loss of consciousness (syncope)
• sensation of spinning (vertigo)
• marked reduction in kidney function (signs of acute renal failure)
• muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat (signs of hyperkalemia)
• shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling of the feet or legs (signs of heart failure)
• headache
• cough
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• diarrhea
• fatigue
• weakness

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 patients):

• intestinal angioedema: swelling in the intestine causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from available data):

• blistering of the skin (sign of bullous dermatitis)
• allergic reactions may occur with skin rash, itching, and hives; symptoms of fever, swelling and joint pain, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes and/or flu-like symptoms (signs of serum sickness)
• purplish red spots, fever, itching (signs of blood vessel inflammation, also called vasculitis)
• bleeding or bruising more than usual (signs of thrombocytopenia)
• muscle pain (myalgia)
• fever, sore throat or mouth ulcers due to infections (symptoms of low white blood cell count, also called neutropenia)
• reduction in hemoglobin levels and reduced percentage of red blood cells in the blood (which, in severe cases, may lead to anemia)
• increased blood potassium levels (which, in severe cases, may cause muscle cramps and irregular heartbeat)
• elevation of liver function test values (which may indicate liver injury), including increased blood bilirubin levels (which, in severe cases, may cause yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• increased blood urea nitrogen and increased serum creatinine levels (which may indicate kidney dysfunction)
• low sodium levels in the blood (which, in severe cases, may cause fatigue, confusion, muscle twitching, and/or seizures)

The frequency of some adverse effects may vary depending on your condition. For example, certain adverse effects such as dizziness and reduced kidney function were observed less frequently in adult patients treated for high blood pressure than in adult patients treated for heart failure or after a recent heart attack.

Adverse effects in children and adolescents are similar to those observed in adults.

Reporting of adverse effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly via the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Medicines: http://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of valsartan cinfa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 30°C.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging after EXP. The expiry date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Dispose of containers and any unused medicines at the SIGRE Point located at your pharmacy. If you have any doubts, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of containers and unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Composition of valsartán cinfa

• The active substance is valsartan. Each tablet contains 160 mg of valsartan.
• The other components are:

Tablet core: microcrystalline cellulose (E-460), colloidal anhydrous silica, sorbitol (E-420), magnesium carbonate (E-504), pregelatinized corn starch, povidone (E-1201), sodium stearyl fumarate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and crospovidone.

Coating: Opadry OY-L-28900 (monohydrate lactose, hypromellose (E-464), titanium dioxide (E-171), and macrogol) and yellow/brown iron oxide (E-172).

Appearance of the product and contents of the pack

valsartán cinfa 160 mg are film-coated tablets, cylindrical in shape, ocher in color, scored, and marked with the code “V2”.

Packs contain 28, 56, or 280 tablets (hospital pack) in PVC/PVDC-Aluminum blisters.

Only certain pack sizes may be commercially available.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A.
Carretera Olaz-Chipi 10. Polígono Industrial Areta
31620 Huarte (Navarra) Spain

Date of the most recent review of this leaflet: February 2025

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/

You can access detailed and up-to-date information about this medicine by scanning with your mobile phone (smartphone) the QR code included in the package leaflet and carton. You can also access this information at the following internet address: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/70323/P_70323.html

QR code link: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/70323/P_70323.html