• Lotevan 5/160, Reduce Blood Pressure, Prevent Hypertension Complication - 30 Tablets

SCIENTIFIC NAME

• Amlodipine 5 Mg + Valsartan 160 Mg

CATEGORY OF LOTEVAN 5/160 TABLETS

• Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF VALSARTAN & AMLODIPINE

• Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict.
• As a result, Valsartan relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
• Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. This causes vasodilation and a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, thus lowering blood pressure.

THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS OF LOTEVAN 5/160 TABLETS

• Treating high blood pressure (hypertension) in adult patients when monotherapy with amlodipine or valsartan is not sufficient.
• High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease.
• Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.

METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION OF LOTEVAN 5/160 TABLETS

• Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
• The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
• You should try to take your daily dose at about the same time each day.
• You must continue to take the drug until your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Do not break the tablet in half
• You can take the tablet with or without food.
• When used as initial therapy: Initiate with 5/160 mg, then titrate upwards as necessary to a maximum of 10/320 mg once daily
• Majority of effects obtained within 2 weeks
• Doses may be changed in special conditions so always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions.
• If you take more than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the hospital straight away.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it unless it is nearly time for your next dose.
• Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for the forgotten dose.

UNDESIRABLE SIDE EFFECTS OF LOTEVAN 5/160 TABLETS

• Edema
• Vertigo
• Nasopharyngitis
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Dizziness

PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING PRECAUTIONS WHILE TAKING LOTEVAN 5/160 TABLETS

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS & ADVICE TO REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE

• To measure blood pressure correctly:

1. Don’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure.
2. Empty your bladder before your reading.
3. Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading.
4. Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed.
5. Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height.
6. Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing.
7. Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured.

• You will also find the following Non-Pharmacological treatments effective in blood pressure reduction:

1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline
2. Exercise regularly
3. Eat a healthy diet
4. Reduce sodium in your diet
5. Quit smoking
6. Reduce caffeine
7. Reduce your stress
8. Monitor your blood pressure at home using for example Beurer, Blood Pressure Monitor or Omron Blood Pressure Measuring Device
9. See your doctor regularly

WARNINGS & SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS WHILE TAKING LOTEVAN 5/160 TABLETS

• Hypotension: Correct volume depletion before initiation
• Monitor renal function and potassium in susceptible patients
• If simvastatin is coadministered with amlodipine, do not exceed doses greater than 20 mg daily of simvastatin
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) use may lead to increased risk of renal impairment and loss of antihypertensive effect
• Do not coadminister with aliskiren in patients with diabetes
• Co-administration with Lithium: Increases in serum lithium level and lithium toxicity

STORAGE CONDITIONS OF LOTEVAN 5/160 TABLETS

• Store below 25°c
• Don’t refrigerate
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Store in the original package to protect from moisture.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the box/blisters/label. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

NORMAL RANGES

• Normal: Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg
• Elevated: is when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic.
• Hypertension Stage 1: is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic.
• Hypertension Stage 2: is when blood pressure consistently ranges at 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
• Hypertensive crisis: This stage of high blood pressure requires medical attention. If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If your readings are still unusually high