Diovan is a renin inhibitor which is used to help lower blood pressure to a safer point. This may be taken on its own or in conjunction with other blood pressure medication, depending on the severity of the condition and what other coronary issues may be present. While this medication can help manage your symptoms, it will not cure them. You may find that your blood pressure starts to lower within the first 2 weeks, but you may not notice the full effects of the medication for up to 4 weeks. Do not stop taking your medication once you start to feel better as this can cause your symptoms to return or get worse.
Indications and Usage
Diovan is a brand name for the drug valsartan, which is used to treat high blood pressure or to help the body repair from congestive heart failure. This drug may also be sold in combination products including exforge, exforge HCT and Valturna. This medication will block the action of substances that will make blood vessels tighten so your heart can pump more efficiently, lowering blood pressure and heart stress simultaneously.
It is given in tablet form and should be taken orally once a day. You may take this medication with or without food. Try to take this medication around the same time every day to help ensure that your body does not go through spikes of mediation at different points throughout the day. Do not double up doses if you miss a dose.
If you are given an oral suspension prescription, you will need to use the glass bottle provided to mix your medication. Place the tablets in the bottle with water and shake for at least 2 minutes, and then allow the mixture to stand for at least an hour before consuming. Once the mixture has rested for an hour, shake for another minute and consume immediately.
Diovan Dosage
- Adults taking the drug for hypertension will be given 80-160 mg per day, which may be increased as your condition progresses. Doses should not exceed 320 mg per day. Those using the med for heart failure will be given 40 mg twice a day, or up to 160 mg as necessary.
- When patients have suffered a post-myocardial infarction, they will be started on 20 mg daily, which may be increased as high as 160 mg in divided doses as their treatment progresses. Children being treated for hypertension will be started on doses between 1.3-2.7 mg daily, which can be increased to a full adult dose as the child grows and matures. Children under 6 should not be given the med.
- Pregnant women should not take this drug as it can be toxic to the fetus and could cause death of the fetus to occur. If you discover that you are pregnant, contact your doctor about how to safely stop using it as soon as possible.
Diovan Side Effects
Side effects include bloody urine, cold sweats, confusion, decreased frequency in urinating, difficulty breathing, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded when you get up from a resting position, fainting, increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, thirst, loss of appetite, lower back pain, nausea, nervousness, numbness in the hands and feet, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight gain. These side effects are not necessarily the sign of a serious condition, but they should be reported to your doctor to ensure that your dosing is at the level that it should be.
Rare side effects include fever, chills, hoarseness, sore throat, swelling of the hands, feet or mouth, or trouble breathing. If these symptoms make you feel as though your life is in danger, contact emergency medical services right away. These side effects are a sign that you are having a negative reaction to your medication, so it is important to get help right away, but do not stop taking your medication unless you are given medical direction to do so.
Other side effects include dark urine, light-colored stools, tiredness or weakness, upper right abdominal or stomach pain, or yellowing of the eyes and skin. The incidence of these side effects is not known. Report these conditions to your doctor so that they can determine whether or not you need adjustment to your medication.
If you begin to suffer from dizziness, fast or slow heartbeat or fainting, you may be suffering from an overdose of your medication. Contact emergency medical services right away to get assistance. Have any information on your standard dose as well as how much you think you have taken ready if possible when you make this call.
Interactions
You should not take diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenc, cambia, cataflam, voltaren, flector patch, pennsaid, indomethacin and meloxicam. Tell your doctor about any other prescriptions that you might be taking to ensure that you have all your prescriptions at a level that are safe to use alongside Diovan.
Your doctor may ask you to adjust the levels of salt or potassium in your diet while on the drug. Do not make these changes without your doctor's instruction. If you are put on a low sodium diet, be sure to follow these instructions carefully to make sure your condition progresses the way it should be. You may also need to increase your intake of fluids to ensure that your body is processing sodium properly while on the med.
You should not drink alcohol while using this drug because it can increase your risk of side effects. Unless expressly told to do so by your doctor, you should not take any supplements that contain salt or potassium to ensure that the medication is not interrupted.
Take your time getting up from a lying position when this drug is in your system as getting up too quickly could make you dizzy and cause a fall.