Diovan

Valsartan

yperDrug Class and Mechanism of Action of Diovan

Diovan is an angiotensin receptor blocker.

Diovan acts by selective blocking of the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in such tissues as vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland.

As the diovan doesn’t inhibit ACE (kininase II) it doesn’t provide any effect on the bradykinin response. The Diovan doesn’t block or bind other hormone receptors that may be considerable in cardiovascular regulation.

Therapeutic Uses of Diovan

Diovan medication is commonly prescribed in following medical conditions as:

• increased blood pressure (hypertension) in patients from 6 to 16 years of the age as well as adults.
• heart failure in adult patients.
• heart attack in adult patients (in this case the medication increases the chances of longer life period after the heart attack occurred).

Diovan is not prescribed for patients below 6 years of the age or those experiencing kidney problems.

Direction of use of Diovan

Strictly follow your doctor prescriptions when taking diovan medication. Diovan medication may be taken during as well as after the meal.

In case you have taken increased dosage of the drug contact your doctor or any other health-care provider as soon as possible.

In case you experience hypertension:
- take the medication at the same time, once a day.

In case you experience heart failure or heart attack:
- take the medication at the same time twice a day. It is possible that the doctor will prescribe you initially low dosage and will increase it further.

Children may experience difficulties when taking diovan tablets. Thus they may be prescribed liquid suspension of Diovan.

Dose of Diovan, if Missed

In case you have forgotten to take the medication take it at the time you have remembered. However in case it is already time for your next dose skip it and follow your common dosage schedule. Avoid taking to doses at once.

How to Store Diovan

Diovan tablets should be kept at the temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15°C - 30°C) in a dry place.

Diovan suspension may be stored at the temperature below 86°F (30°C) within 30 days and at the temperature between 35°F - 46°F (2°C - 8°C) within 75 days.

Important: Keep all types of diovan medication in the place beyond the reach of children.

More Information About Diovan

Within clinical studies almost no Diovan drug interactions were revealed. The use of the diovan and warfarin didn’t affect the efficiency of the first drug.

To get detailed information about drug interactions contact your health-care provider.

Precautions to be Taken While Taking Diovan

Let your doctor know all your medical conditions and the medications you use before starting the diovan therapy.

Especially tell your doctor in case you experience:

• any allergic reaction.
• any heart problem.
• any liver as well as kidney conditions.

Let your doctor also know in case you are within:

• pregnancy period or just going to become pregnant.
• breast-feeding period, as it is not clearly known whether the medication appears in the breast milk and may affect the baby somehow.

Give your health-care provider thorough information about the medication you use, especially in case you:

• take other medicines intended to treat hypertension or a heart problem
• use water pills
• take any potassium supplements
• use salt substitutes.

Possible Adverse Effects

Taking the Diovan medication may cause following side effects:

• possible harm to the human fetus or already born baby (in case using the drug within pregnancy or breast-feeding periods).
• decreased blood pressure
• kidney problems

Taking the medication for treating hypertension commonly causes such slight and brief adverse effects as:

• headache
• dizziness
• flu signs
• tiredness
• stomach pain

Taking the medication for treating heart failure may cause:

• dizziness
• hypotension
• diarrhea
• joint as well as back pain
• tiredness
• increased blood potassium level

Taking the drug to treat after heart attack condition may cause following side effects:

• hypotension
• cough
• decreased kidney function
• rash

In case you experience any of the side effects above contact your doctor immediately as it may be required to stop diovan therapy.

Disease

• hypertension
• heart failure
• post-myocardial infarction