Dilart (Valsartan)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Dilart Used For?
Dilart contains valsartan, which belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by helping to relax and widen your blood vessels.
Primary Uses
Dilart is used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), treat heart failure where the heart muscle cannot pump blood strongly enough, and treat people after a heart attack to reduce the risk of further heart damage and problems.
How It Works
By lowering your blood pressure, Dilart reduces the workload on your heart and blood vessels. This helps prevent damage to blood vessels in the brain, heart and kidneys, reducing the risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, and heart attacks.
Good to know: High blood pressure usually has no symptoms – the only way to know you have it is to have your blood pressure checked regularly.
How to Take Dilart
Take Dilart exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on what condition you’re treating and how well you respond to the medication.
Dosage Instructions
For high blood pressure: Usually one 80 mg tablet once daily. Your doctor may increase this to 160 mg to 320 mg once daily if needed after 4 weeks. For heart failure: Usually starts at 40 mg twice daily, may be increased gradually up to 160 mg twice daily. After a heart attack: Usually starts at 20 mg (half a 40 mg tablet) twice daily, may be increased gradually up to 160 mg twice daily. Take at the same time each day with a full glass of water. You can take it with or without food, but be consistent.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this may increase your chance of unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Tiredness or weakness
- Diarrhea, constipation, or wind
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- Dry cough, sore throat, hoarse voice
- Runny or blocked nose
- Muscle or joint pain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling anxious
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Problems with sexual function
- Blistering skin
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing)
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath with leg or feet swelling
- Severe tiredness with breathing difficulties during exercise
- Constant flu-like symptoms
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Liver problems (nausea, vomiting, yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine)
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where Dilart should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Dilart
Do not take Dilart if you are allergic to valsartan or any ingredients, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, have severe liver problems caused by bile duct blockage, or are taking other blood pressure medications containing aliskiren and have type 2 diabetes.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney problems, liver problems, are on dialysis, have had severe vomiting or diarrhea, have very low sodium levels, have primary hyperaldosteronism, or have obstructed blood flow through the heart. Also mention if you’ve had swelling of face and throat while taking other medicines like ACE inhibitors.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Dilart is not recommended during pregnancy as it could affect your unborn baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Dilart as it’s unknown if the medicine passes into breast milk.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Dilart and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Beta-blockers for blood pressure or heart conditions
- ACE-inhibitors or aliskiren for blood pressure
- Diuretics (water or fluid pills)
- Potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium
- Lithium for psychiatric conditions
- Certain antibiotics (rifamycins), anti-rejection drugs (cyclosporin), antiretrovirals (ritonavir)
- Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like celecoxib, diclofenac, indometacin
- Trimethoprim-containing medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Dilart can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with daily activities.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Dilart may cause tiredness, sleepiness, or dizziness in some people. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these symptoms. Be careful when getting up from sitting or lying positions as dizziness can occur. Get up slowly and flex your leg muscles to improve blood flow.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original container until it’s time to take them. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Dilart, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, rapid shallow breathing, cold clammy skin, and faster than usual heartbeat due to low blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes at least 4 weeks for Dilart to have its full effect on your blood pressure. Your doctor may check your progress and adjust your dose after this time if needed.
Yes, you can take Dilart with or without food. Just make sure you take it the same way each day – either always with food or always on an empty stomach. If your stomach gets upset, take it after a meal.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose.
No, continue taking Dilart until your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel well. Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before deciding to stop taking any of your medicines.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Dilart. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy as it could affect your unborn baby.
Dilart can be used by elderly patients, but your doctor may want to take special precautions and monitor your kidney and liver function more closely during treatment.
Dilart may cause tiredness, sleepiness, or dizziness in some people. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.