Valsartan
Classification: AATC code: C09CA03, C09DA03, C09DB01
Summary
Most studies show that the antihypertensive effect of valsartan is similar in men and women. There are some studies reporting sex differences in the effect on target blood pressure but these differences are not consistent. In heart failure (with left ventricular dysfunction) non-consistent findings have been reported on the effect of valsartan if similar or worse in women. The mortality after myocardial infarction has been shown to be similar in men and women.
Additional information
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
According to the original manufacturer, pharmacokinetics of valsartan does not differ significantly between men and women [1] and no sex differentiation in dosing has been recommended [2].
Effects
Hypertension
The original manufacturer reports that the antihypertensive effect is independent of patient's age, sex or race. However, antihypertensive drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin system (ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-II blockers) have generally been found to be less effective in low-renin hypertensives (more frequently blacks) than in high-renin hypertensives (frequently whites). [1]. Contrary to this, a subgroup analysis of the Belgian PREVIEW study (1525 men, 1665 women) showed that valsartan for 90 days resulted in fewer women than men reaching target SBP (36.3 vs 41.2%) and combined SBP-DBP target (32.4 vs 36.7%). Determinants for uncontrolled BP varied between men and women [3].
A subgroup analysis of the large randomized, double-blind VALUE trial (8777 men, 6469 women) studying valsartan and amlodipine in hypertensive patients, showed a higher risk of cardiac events in valsartan-treated women but not in valsartan-treated men (HR 1.21 vs 0.94) [4].
Combination therapyA post-hoc analysis of the COSIMA study explored the impact of patient’s age and sex on the antihypertensive effect of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (80/12.5 mg) compared to irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide (150/12.5 mg) (252 men, 197 women). More patients achieved blood pressure control with irbesartan/HCTZ than valsartan/HCTZ and was achieved in all age group and in men and women [5].
Data from The China STATUS II study, including Chinese adults (6456 men, 4856 women) treated with valsartan/amlodipine (80/5 mg) showed that the effect on SBP was better in women [6].
Heart failure
The large randomized double-blind placebo-controlled Valsartan Heart Failure Trial (Val-HeFT) (4008 men, 1002 women) reported that the effects of valsartan in heart failure patients was similar across age groups and in men and women [1].
Myocardial infarction
Valsartan (target dose 160 mg x2) was compared to captopril (target dose 50 mg x3) and their combination in the large randomized, double-blind VALIANT study (10133 men, 4570 women). All-cause mortality was similar for valsartan and captopril based on patient's sex, age, and race. Women, regardless of treatment, were more likely to experience the composite secondary outcome of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and resuscitation from cardiac arrest (HR 1.15), which could be explained by an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure in women (HR 1.36) [7].
Adverse events
In the post-hoc analysis of the COSIMA study mentioned above [5], the overall safety profile was similar in the two treatment groups and across age groups and in men and women. Non-serious adverse events occurred in 18% of women and 13% of men receiving valsartan/HCTZ (unknown if significant sex difference) [5].
According to controlled studies conducted by the manufacturer, the incidence of adverse effects in adult patients with hypertension was not associated with patient's sex, age or race [2].
Reproductive health issues
Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Updated: 2020-08-28
Date of litterature search: 2017-04-20
References
- Diovan (valsartan). DailyMed [www]. US National Library of Medicine. [updated 2017-02-03, cited 2017-04-20]. länk
- Diovan (valsartan). Summary of Product Characteristics. Medical Products Agency (MPA); 2015.
- MacDonald K, Lee CS, Chen HC, Ko ML, Fidel GE, Brié H et al. Gender-specific, multi-level determinants of outcomes of antihypertensive treatment: a sub-analysis of the Belgian PREVIEW study. J Hum Hypertens. 2011;25:372-82. PubMed
- Zanchetti A, Julius S, Kjeldsen S, McInnes GT, Hua T, Weber M et al. Outcomes in subgroups of hypertensive patients treated with regimens based on valsartan and amlodipine: An analysis of findings from the VALUE trial. J Hypertens. 2006;24:2163-8. PubMed
- Asmar R, Nisse-Durgeat S. A large scale study of angiotensin II inhibition therapy in an elderly population: the CHANCE study. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2006;2:317-23. PubMed
- Wang H, Chen H. Gender difference in the response to valsartan/amlodipine single-pill combination in essential hypertension (China Status II): An observational study. J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst. 2016;17:1470320316643903. PubMed
- Lam CS, McEntegart M, Claggett B, Liu J, Skali H, Lewis E et al. Sex differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes after myocardial infarction: insights from the Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial (VALIANT). Eur J Heart Fail. 2015;17:301-12. PubMed
- Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2016 [cited 2017-05-20.] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson