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Aliskiren is an anti-hypertensive (blood pressure lowering) medication. It works by decreasing substances in the body that narrow blood vessels and raise blood pressure.
Valsartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
The combination of aliskiren and valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Aliskiren and valsartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Before you take aliskiren and valsartan, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), heart disease or recent heart attack, congestive heart failure, or if you are on a low-salt diet.
If you take aliskiren and valsartan with meals, avoid high-fat foods. They can make it harder for your body to absorb aliskiren and valsartan.
Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctors instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while taking aliskiren and valsartan. Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to aliskiren (Tekturna) or valsartan (Diovan), or if you are also using cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune) or itraconazole (Sporanox).
If you have diabetes or kidney disease, you may not be able to take aliskiren and valsartan if you are also taking any of the following heart or blood pressure medications:

• azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar), valsartan (Diovan), telmisartan (Micardis); or
• benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik, Tarka).

To make sure you can safely take aliskiren and valsartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;
• high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);
• congestive heart failure;
• heart disease or recent heart attack; or
• if you are on a low-salt diet.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use aliskiren and valsartan if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Aliskiren and valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking this medication.
It is not known whether aliskiren and valsartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not use this medication while you are breast-feeding a baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; severe stomach pain; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling like you might pass out; or
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• tired feeling;
• stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;
• stomach pain or upset, diarrhea, heartburn;
• numbness or tingly feeling; or
• muscle cramps.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of aliskiren and valsartan.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking aliskiren and valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially other blood pressure medications, or:

• atorvastatin (Lipitor);
• a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix);
• an antibiotic such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) or rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate);
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;
• a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con; or
• salt substitutes that contain potassium.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with aliskiren and valsartan. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.