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How Long Does Valsartan Take To Show Effect?
Question: Hello there! I am on a temporary teaching assignment in Shanghai, China, where the pollution has been unusually bad. My blood pressure started spiking, so a doctor here put me on Valsartan a week ago (40 mg). I have never had any problems with my blood pressure before; it has always been 120/80. How long does the Valsartan take to kick in? My blood pressure was 150/90 this morning before I took my daily pill. I am in China for only 2 more weeks, so I just need to get through the next 2 weeks. Does 40mg sound like enough? Thank you SO much for helping me out! XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your question
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
First of all air pollution and smog may precipitate hypertension especially in patients with positive familiar history for ut (or are prehypertensive).
Secondly valsartan 40mg is a good starting dose for.stabilising BP.
Thirdly I would like to recommend measuring regularly BP for the next month because you may need to adjust (reduce ) the dose.
At the end I would like to recommend a healthy lifestyle and diet.
- Avoid salty food
- Reduce alcohol to less than one drink per day
- Increase physical activity
- Quit smoking
This measures will help to control BP and to reduce the dose of medications.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following answer to your question
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
First of all air pollution and smog may precipitate hypertension especially in patients with positive familiar history for ut (or are prehypertensive).
Secondly valsartan 40mg is a good starting dose for.stabilising BP.
Thirdly I would like to recommend measuring regularly BP for the next month because you may need to adjust (reduce ) the dose.
At the end I would like to recommend a healthy lifestyle and diet.
- Avoid salty food
- Reduce alcohol to less than one drink per day
- Increase physical activity
- Quit smoking
This measures will help to control BP and to reduce the dose of medications.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Hello again,
I had 2 questions in my query which were unanswered. 1) How long does the Valsartan take to kick in? 2) Is 40 mg enough of a dosage for me because it has been a week since I started the medication and this morning - before I took the pill - my blood pressure was 150/90.
I would also like to ask one more question, if I may: 3) I am absolutely sure that my rise in bp is due to the extreme pollution here in Shanghai. I will be back in the U.S. (San Francisco) in 2 weeks and the air is fine there. HOW do I wean myself off the Valsartan? I was told by the MD here that I can't just stop "cold turkey", so what is your suggested plan for my weaning myself off the medication? Over what time period? With what dosages? And, of course, I will monitor my bp when I return to the U.S.
Please answer my specific questions in this message.
Thank you!
I had 2 questions in my query which were unanswered. 1) How long does the Valsartan take to kick in? 2) Is 40 mg enough of a dosage for me because it has been a week since I started the medication and this morning - before I took the pill - my blood pressure was 150/90.
I would also like to ask one more question, if I may: 3) I am absolutely sure that my rise in bp is due to the extreme pollution here in Shanghai. I will be back in the U.S. (San Francisco) in 2 weeks and the air is fine there. HOW do I wean myself off the Valsartan? I was told by the MD here that I can't just stop "cold turkey", so what is your suggested plan for my weaning myself off the medication? Over what time period? With what dosages? And, of course, I will monitor my bp when I return to the U.S.
Please answer my specific questions in this message.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Following answer to your questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Let me explain you again.
1. Valsartan is effective in the treatment of hypertension. However it will need 1-2 weeks to kick in (to take the maximal effect).
2. I think that 40 mg of Valsartan is the right starting dose. As i said above it will need up to two weeks to get the maximal effect.
I would like to suggest continuing with actual dose and healthy lifestyle and diet. This will help to stabilize your BP.
3. In order to facilitate the wean of process I have already suggested you to continue with actual dose of valsartan and to start healthy lifestyle.
When you will return home you should measure the BP and when the BP will be less than 120/80 mmHg you should reduce to half the dose (for a couple of days) and gradually will stop taking it.
Wish you health !
Dr. Shehu
Following answer to your questions
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Let me explain you again.
1. Valsartan is effective in the treatment of hypertension. However it will need 1-2 weeks to kick in (to take the maximal effect).
2. I think that 40 mg of Valsartan is the right starting dose. As i said above it will need up to two weeks to get the maximal effect.
I would like to suggest continuing with actual dose and healthy lifestyle and diet. This will help to stabilize your BP.
3. In order to facilitate the wean of process I have already suggested you to continue with actual dose of valsartan and to start healthy lifestyle.
When you will return home you should measure the BP and when the BP will be less than 120/80 mmHg you should reduce to half the dose (for a couple of days) and gradually will stop taking it.
Wish you health !
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response, Doctor. Your answers were more thorough, so I understand my situation a little bit better.
One more question about this medication: May I take my usual vitamins while I am taking Valsartan? I take a multi, vit B, calcium/magnesium/zinc combination. I don't want any of my usual vitamins and minerals to clash with this new medication. This whole situation with suddenly having high blood pressure is new to me because I was fine until I came to China. I am relieved that I will be leaving in 2 weeks and heading back to California, where the air is fine.
Thank you very much for your advice!
One more question about this medication: May I take my usual vitamins while I am taking Valsartan? I take a multi, vit B, calcium/magnesium/zinc combination. I don't want any of my usual vitamins and minerals to clash with this new medication. This whole situation with suddenly having high blood pressure is new to me because I was fine until I came to China. I am relieved that I will be leaving in 2 weeks and heading back to California, where the air is fine.
Thank you very much for your advice!
Brief Answer:
Yes you may take the multivitamins
Detailed Answer:
Hi back.
Yes you may take valsartan together with your multivitamins. Since you are taking magnesium it will help to stabilize the BP as well and it will not interfere with valsartan.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Yes you may take the multivitamins
Detailed Answer:
Hi back.
Yes you may take valsartan together with your multivitamins. Since you are taking magnesium it will help to stabilize the BP as well and it will not interfere with valsartan.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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