Definition :
Diovan (valsartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Diovan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. It is also used in adults to treat heart failure, and to lower the risk of death after a heart attack. Diovan is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.
Do not use Diovan if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Slideshow: 2014 Update - First Time Brand-to-Generic Switches 2014 Update - First Time Brand-to-Generic Switches If you have diabetes, do not use Diovan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna). In rare cases, Diovan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
You should not use Diovan if you are allergic to valsartan. To make sure Diovan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); liver disease; heart disease; if you are on a low-salt-diet; if you are dehydrated; or if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any blood pressure medication. FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Diovan if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. 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. See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail) It is not known whether valsartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine. Diovan should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old.
Take Diovan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. You may take Diovan with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day. If a child taking Diovan cannot swallow a capsule whole, your pharmacist can mix the medicine into a liquid. Shake this liquid well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. You may have very low blood pressure while taking valsartan. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function may also need to be checked. It may take 2 to 4 weeks of using this medicine before your blood pressure is under control. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure: Initial dose: 40 mg orally twice a day. Maintenance dose: 80 to 160 mg twice daily. The dose should be increased to the highest dose tolerated by the patient. Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension: Initial dose: 80 to 160 mg orally once a day. Maintenance dose: 80 to 320 mg orally once a day. Usual Adult Dose for Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Initial dose: 20 mg orally twice a day. Maintenance dose: The initial dosage may be titrated upward within 7 days to 40 mg twice daily, with subsequent titrations to a target maintenance dose of 160 mg twice daily as tolerated by the patient. If symptomatic hypotension or renal dysfunction occurs, consideration should be given to a dosage reduction. Diovan may be initiated as early as 12 hours after a myocardial infarction, and may be given with other standard postmyocardial infarction treatment, including thrombolytics, aspirin, beta blockers, and statins. Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypertension: 6 to 16 years: Initial dose: 1.3 mg/kg once daily (up to 40 mg) Maintenance dose: up to 2.7 mg/kg (up to 160 mg) once daily titrated according to patient response If the calculated dosage does not correspond to the available tablet strengths, or if children are unable to swallow tablets, the use of a suspension (which can be prepared from the tablets) is recommended. The Diovan dose may need to be increased if the suspension is replaced by a tablet. No data are available in pediatric patients either undergoing dialysis or with a glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min. What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose? Seek emergency medical attention
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antihypertensive drugs