Diovan instructions

• Diovan uses
• Diovan dosage
• Diovan side effects
• Warnings & precautions
• Drug interactions
• Missed dose
• Overdose

Common Brand Names: Diovan

Generic Name: Valsartan

The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's or manufacturer's instructions.

Common Medical Uses:
Diovan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It is used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and may be used to treat chronic renal failure.
Diovan works by blocking the action of a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result, Diovan relaxes blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure.

How to Use Diovan:
Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Diovan can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of medication and gradually increase your dose.

Diovan Possible Side Effects:

Diovan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• fatigue
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, stop taking Diovan and call your doctor immediately:

• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, hands, or feet
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• decreased amount of urine

Diovan Warnings & Precautions:

• Don't take if: You are allergic toValsartan, if you are pregnant.
• Before taking Diovan , tell your doctor or/and pharmacist:
• if you have kidney or liver disease
• if you have dehydration
• if you have heart problems (heart failure)
• if you are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in the blood (Diovan can affect potassium levels in the body.)
• Skin & sunlight: No special problems expected.
• Driving, piloting or hazardous work: Valsartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take other medicines affecting alertness and reflexes.
• Discontinuing: Don't discontinue without consulting your doctor, even if you feel well. You can have hypertension without feeling any symptoms. Untreated high blood pressure can cause serious problems.
• Pregnancy: Risk category D. It is harmful to an unborn baby. Use of Diovan during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters can cause low blood pressure, severe kidney failure, or even death in the newborn. Diovan should not be used during pregnancy. When pregnancy is detected, this drug should be stopped as soon as possible.
• Breast feeding: It is not known whether Diovan passes into breast milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
• Not recommended for children under age 18 .

Drug Interactions:
The following drugs and foods may interact with Diovan:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs, nonsteroidal (NSAIDs) - decreased anti-hypertensive effect
• ACE inhibitors
• Beta blockers
• Cyclosporine - excess potassium levels in the body
• Diuretics - increased anti-hypertensive effect
• Diuretics, potassium sparing - excess potassium levels in the body
• Hypotension-causing drugs - increased anti-hypertensive effect
• Indomethacin - decreased anti-hypertensive effect
• Potassium-containing medication - excess potassium levels in the body
• Potassium supplemets - excess potassium levels in the body
• Sympathomimetics - decreased anti-hypertensive effect

Tell your health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.

Possible interactions with other substances:

• Salt substitutes containing potassium - excess potassium in the body

Missed Dose:
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms: slow or irregular heart beat, faintness, dizziness.

See also:

• Diovan (Valsartan)
• How to order Diovan online
• Diovan 60 mg, Diovan 180 mg