Diovan

What is Diovan?

Diovan is a medication used by adults and children aged 1 year and over, either on its own or in combination with other medicines, to treat high blood pressure. Diovan is also prescribed to older adults for the treatment of a heart condition (a condition where the heart isn't able to pump blood enough throughout the entire body) and also to increase the chance of surviving the event of a heart attack. Diovan is a member of a class of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Valsartan is a drug that blocks the actions of a few natural substances that enlarge blood vessels, which allows for blood flow to move more easily as well as the heart to pump faster.

Warnings

Do not take Diovan while you are expecting. Stop taking this medication and inform your doctor immediately if you find yourself pregnant. If you suffer from diabetes, avoid taking Diovan together with any other medicine that contains an ingredient called aliskiren (a blood pressure medication). You might also have to stay clear of taking Diovan with an aliskiren in the event that you suffer from kidney problems.

In rare instances, Diovan could cause an illness that causes the destruction of skeletal muscle tissue, resulting in kidney failure. Contact your physician immediately in the event of unresolved muscular pain, tenderness, or weakness. This is especially true when you experience unusual tiredness, a fever, and dark-colored urine.

Before you take this drug

Do not take Diovan if you have an allergy to the chemical valsartan. If you have diabetes, don't take Diovan together with any medication containing the ingredient aliskiren (a blood pressure medication). It may be necessary to stay clear of taking Diovan with the aliskiren in the event that you suffer from renal disease. To ensure that Diovan is safe for you, inform your doctor if you've ever experienced:

• An unrelated heart condition to the one treated by Diovan.
• If you're on a diet that has low salt levels.
• The liver condition.
• Kidney disease (or kidney disease if you're taking dialysis).

Avoid using it if you are expecting. Stop taking the medicine and inform your doctor when you discover that you are pregnant. Valsartan may cause death or injury to the unborn baby when you use the medication in the third or second trimester. Do not breastfeed.

How to take Diovan?

Follow Diovan exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label, and make sure you read all the prescription guides and instructions sheets. Your doctor may modify your dosage. Use the medicine daily at the same time every day, either with or without meals. If your child cannot take a tablet in its entirety, the pharmacist may mix the medication into a liquid. Your dosage requirements could be altered if you switch to an alternative version of the drug valsartan. Make sure you are using only the medicine that your doctor prescribes. Doses are determined by the weight of children and teens. Your child's dose could be altered if he or she is overweight or loses weight.

Your blood pressure is likely to be checked regularly. The kidneys may also require a check. Contact your physician if you have a fever, nausea, diarrhea, or sweat more than normal. It is possible to become dehydrated when you take Diovan. It could take between 2 and 4 weeks until your blood pressure is at a level that is manageable. If you are suffering from hypertension, you should continue using Diovan, even if you feel good. High blood pressure can have no signs. The treatment you receive could also involve fitness, diet and lifestyle modifications, and other medicines. Follow the instructions of your physician attentively. Keep at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:

Initial dosage: 40 mg orally every day, twice.
Maintenance dosage: 80–160 mg once a day. The dosage is to be increased until the maximum dose is tolerated by the patient.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Start dose: between 80 and 160 mg once orally per day.
Dosage for maintenance: 80 to 300 mg once orally per day.

Usual Adult Dose for Myocardial Infarction:

Initial dosage: 20 mg orally every day, twice.
Maintenance dose: The first dosage can be increased within 7 days to 40 mg once a day before titrating again to a goal maintenance dose of 160 mg twice a day, as tolerated by the patient. If symptoms of hypertension or renal dysfunction are observed, a reduction in dosage should be considered.
Comment: Valsartan could be administered at any time, as early as 12 hours following an incident of myocardial infarction. It could be used in conjunction with other conventional postmyocardial infarction treatment options, such as blood coagulation agents, aspirin, beta blockers, and statins.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension:

6–16 years old:
Initial dosage: 1.3 mg/kg once a day (up to 40 mg).
Maintenance dose Up to 2.7 mg/kg (up to 160 mg) daily, adjusted depending on the response of the patient.
Comments:
If the dose calculated is not in line with the tablet strengths available or if children are incapable of swallowing tablets, then the use of a suspension (which can be made using tablets) is suggested. The dosage of valsartan could need to be increased when you replace the suspension with tablets.
No data are available for children who are dialysis patients or have a glomerular filtration rate of less than 30 milliliters per minute.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but avoid any missed doses if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222. The symptoms of an overdose could include a fluctuating pulse rate as well as lower blood pressure (feeling as if you're about to faint).

What should be avoided?

Don't consume potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless your doctor has instructed you to. Be careful not to get up too quickly from a lying or sitting position. You could be dizzy.

Side effects of Diovan

See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to Diovan, such as hives, breathing problems, and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,

Diovan may cause serious side effects. Inform your caretaker immediately if you experience:

• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're about to pass out.
• Few or no urinations.
• High blood potassium: nausea, weak and tingly sensations, and pain in the chest; pain; irregular heartbeats; slowing down.

Common Diovan adverse effects could include:

• High blood potassium levels.
• Headache, dizziness, feeling light-headed.
• Symptoms of the flu: tiredness, cough.
• Stomach pain, diarrhea.
• Back pain, joint pain, back pain.
• An abnormal kidney test for kidney abnormalities.

This is not an exhaustive list of probable adverse effects; more may occur. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Discuss with your doctor any other medications you take, including:

• Lithium.
• Cyclosporine.
• Ritonavir.
• An antibiotic (rifamycin, rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine).
• Diuretic medication, or "water pill," or other blood pressure or heart medication.
• The NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac (also known as indomethacin), diclofe, and many more.

This list isn't complete, and other drugs could be incompatible with valsartan. This includes over-the-counter and prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs that are listed here.