Diovan
Diovan is composed of hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan. Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill (formally called a thiazide diuretic), that stops your body from absorbing too much salt. When the body absorbs too much salt, it retains water. Valsartan helps blood flow by keeping blood vessels from narrowing. Combining both Hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan provides a treatment for hypertension or high blood pressure.
Why Diovan Is Prescribed:
Diovan is prescribed for people who suffer from abnormally high blood pressure to help lower it. The two main ingredients, hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan together can help to lower blood pressure to prevent heart attack, heart disease, and other life threatening conditions caused by high blood pressure.
Diovan may help control your blood pressure!
Risks of taking Diovan:
While taking Diovan, you should use extreme caution when drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption makes the blood pressure drop on its own. Combining it with Diovan can cause increased and more severe side effects.
Unless your doctor specifies otherwise, avoid taking potassium or potassium supplements while you are taking Diovan.
You may experience a level of dizziness when taking Diovan. Get up from a seated or laying position slowly, steady yourself, and be careful as not to fall.
What are the possible side effects of taking Diovan?
If you notice that you have hives, sores on your mouth or throat, or are having difficulty breathing, you may be having an allergic reaction. Seek emergency assistance immediately and call 911 .
You should stop taking Diovan and call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling like you are going to faint or pass out
• Decreased or no urinating
• Numbness or coldness in your toes
• Muscle pain, tenderness, soreness, or weakness
• Shortness of breath from doing very little activity
• Low sodium (Symptoms: slurred speech, dizziness, hallucinations, muscle cramps, loss of concentration)
• Low potassium or high potassium (Symptoms: uneven heart rate, tingly feeling, excessive thirst, frequent urination, weak pulse)
These are only some side effects and is not an exhaustive list. Please contact your doctor with any symptoms which you are having or call 911 if it is a medical emergency.
Some less severe side effects of taking Diovan are:
• Dizziness
• Sore throat, stuffy nose, slight cough, or sinus pain
Are there any medications that will interact with Diovan?
The list of medications that could potentially interact adversely with Diovan is long. This is not a complete list, so be sure to let your doctor know of any and all medications that you might be taking.
• Lithium
• Insulin
• Muscle Relaxers
• Narcotic pain medications
• Sleeping pills
• Sedatives
• Ibuprofen or Naproxen
• Other blood pressure medications
• Medication for tuberculosis such as rifabutin or rifampin
What do I do if I miss a dose of Diovan?
Take your next scheduled dose of medication and then resume your schedule. Do not double up on doses. If you overdose on Diovan, call poison control or 911 immediately.
How do I know if Diovan is working?
During the duration that you take Diovan, your doctor will likely order frequent blood pressure testing to gauge the effectiveness of the medication. Be certain that you go to all appointments for testing and/or blood work that are scheduled for you.
Click Here to Read Our Blog on Blood Pressure
References:
1. http://www.drugs.com/mtm/diovan-hct.html
2. Refer to Prescription drug information included with your medication. See Disclaimer below.
3. http://www.diovan.com/info/about-diovan/taking-diovan-valsartan-tablets.jsp
