Valsacor 80 mg, 160 mg and 320 mg film-coated tablets – valsartan for high blood pressure, heart failure and after a heart attack

Valsacor contains valsartan, a medicine from the group of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Valsartan blocks the action of angiotensin II – a substance that narrows blood vessels – so the blood vessels relax and blood pressure falls.

In Serbia it is authorised as 80 mg, 160 mg and 320 mg film-coated tablets (pack of 28 tablets), manufactured by KRKA d.d., Novo mesto (Slovenia); the marketing authorisation holder is KRKA-FARMA d.o.o. Beograd. It is a prescription-only medicine. The strengths differ in their approved indications – see the table below.

What is Valsacor used for and how should it be taken?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Valsacor used for?

Untreated high blood pressure strains the heart and arteries and can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart and kidneys, leading to stroke and heart or kidney failure; lowering blood pressure reduces this risk.

How is it taken and dosed?

• High blood pressure (adults): the usual dose is 80 mg once daily; the doctor may increase it to 160 mg and up to 320 mg or add another medicine (e.g. a diuretic). The effect is largely seen within 2 weeks and is maximal within 4 weeks.
• High blood pressure (children and adolescents 6–18 years): below 35 kg the usual dose is 40 mg once daily, from 35 kg the starting dose is 80 mg once daily; the doctor may increase it up to 160 mg and a maximum of 320 mg.
• After a heart attack (adults, 80 and 160 mg): treatment usually starts as early as 12 hours with 20 mg twice daily and is gradually increased over several weeks up to 160 mg twice daily.
• Heart failure (adults, 80 and 160 mg): the starting dose is usually 40 mg twice daily, gradually increased up to 160 mg twice daily.
• Swallow the tablet with a glass of water, with or without food, at about the same time every day.

This is the general dosage from the leaflet – dose and strength are set by the doctor; starting doses below 80 mg require appropriate strengths available on the market.

Special patient groups

• Elderly: no dose adjustment needed.
• Impaired kidney function: no dose adjustment in adults with creatinine clearance above 10 mL/min; caution in severe kidney disease and dialysis. Use is not recommended in children with clearance below 30 mL/min or on dialysis.
• Impaired liver function: contraindicated in severe impairment, biliary cirrhosis and cholestasis; in mild to moderate impairment without cholestasis the valsartan dose must not exceed 80 mg.
• Children: not recommended for heart failure or after a heart attack; safety has not been established in children under 1 year.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to valsartan or any of the excipients
• severe liver disease, biliary cirrhosis and cholestasis
• pregnancy beyond 3 months (avoid also in early pregnancy)
• diabetes or kidney impairment with concomitant aliskiren

Warnings and precautions

• Liver disease, severe kidney disease or dialysis, renal artery narrowing, recent kidney transplantation, serious heart disease other than heart failure and heart attack.
• History of angioedema (including with ACE inhibitors) – tell your doctor; if it occurs during treatment, stop immediately and never take the medicine again.
• Medicines that raise potassium (potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin) – potassium monitoring is needed.
• Hyperaldosteronism – use is not recommended.
• Dehydration due to diarrhoea, vomiting or high-dose diuretics – higher risk of low blood pressure.
• Concomitant ACE inhibitor or aliskiren, or a triple combination with an ACE inhibitor and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist or beta blocker in heart failure – only under medical supervision.
• Contains lactose monohydrate.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

• Other blood pressure medicines, especially diuretics, ACE inhibitors (enalapril, lisinopril…) and aliskiren.
• Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin – risk of high potassium.
• NSAIDs (pain and anti-inflammatory medicines) – weaker effect and kidney risk.
• Rifampicin, ciclosporin, ritonavir – may increase the effect of Valsacor.
• Lithium.
• Food: can be taken with or without food.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Valsacor is not recommended in early pregnancy and must not be taken after the third month of pregnancy, as it may seriously harm the baby. If you are planning a pregnancy or become pregnant, the doctor will prescribe another medicine. It is also not recommended during breast-feeding, especially of a newborn or premature baby.

Driving and using machines

Like other blood pressure medicines, Valsacor may cause dizziness and affect concentration – check how it affects you before driving or using machines.

Possible side effects

• Common: dizziness, low blood pressure (dizziness or fainting on standing), reduced kidney function.
• Uncommon: angioedema, brief loss of consciousness, vertigo, acute worsening of kidney function, muscle cramps and irregular heartbeat (signs of high potassium), signs of heart failure, headache, cough, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, tiredness, weakness.
• Not known: skin blistering, allergic reactions and serum sickness, vasculitis, low platelets, white or red blood cells, muscle pain, high potassium, abnormal liver and kidney tests, low blood sodium.

Report suspected side effects to your doctor, pharmacist or ALIMS.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: if you feel very dizzy or faint, lie down and contact a doctor or hospital at once.
• Missed dose: take it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: stopping suddenly may worsen your condition – do not stop without consulting your doctor.

Related information

For home blood pressure monitoring during treatment, see also the Blood pressure monitors category – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: valsartan 80 mg, 160 mg or 320 mg per film-coated tablet.
• Excipients – core: lactose monohydrate; microcrystalline cellulose (E460); povidone; croscarmellose sodium; colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate. Coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 4000 and iron oxides (E172) – colour depends on strength.
• The medicine is essentially "sodium-free".
• Pack: carton with 2 blisters of 14 film-coated tablets (28 tablets). Authorisations for packs of 30 tablets (80 and 160 mg) ended on 11.12.2024.
• Marketing authorisation holder: KRKA-FARMA D.O.O. BEOGRAD, Jurija Gagarina 26/V/II, Belgrade. Manufacturer: KRKA, D.D., NOVO MESTO, Šmarješka cesta 6, Novo mesto, Slovenia.

Storage

• Store below 30 °C in the original package to protect from moisture.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the usual dose of Valsacor for high blood pressure?

In adults the usual dose is 80 mg once daily. If blood pressure is not well controlled, the doctor may increase it to 160 mg and up to 320 mg or add another medicine such as a diuretic.

Is Valsacor 320 mg used in heart failure?

No. According to the leaflet, the 320 mg tablets are approved only for high blood pressure, while the 80 mg and 160 mg tablets are also used in heart failure and after a recent heart attack.

Can a Valsacor tablet be split?

Yes. All three strengths have a score line and can be divided into equal doses if your doctor has prescribed it.

May I use potassium salt or potassium supplements with Valsacor?

Only on medical advice. Potassium supplements and potassium-containing salt substitutes may raise blood potassium, so the doctor may ask for regular checks.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Valsacor®, 80 mg and 160 mg, film-coated tablets (Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Valsacor®, 80 mg and 160 mg, film-coated tablets (January 2024, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics Valsacor®, 320 mg, film-coated tablets (Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet Valsacor®, 320 mg, film-coated tablets (Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.