What is Diovan?
Diovan belongs to a group of angiotensin II receptor antagonists. The main component of the treatment, Valsartan, affects the blood vessels, preventing them from narrowing. As a result, the medication helps lower blood pressure and significantly improve blood circulation.
Take the right treatment as prescribed by your healthcare specialist and with due regard to the safety guidance provided. Never change the adjustment on your own. Call your physician if the treatment course makes no positive changes. Your healthcare provider may change the prescription for a better effect. This oral hypertension drug should be used on a regular basis. Administer each tablet with or without food, preferably at the same time each day. Frequent blood pressure checks are required during the therapy, as Diovan can significantly decrease your pressure causing dangerous reactions.
Make sure your doctor is aware of severe health disorders you have before prescribing Diovan treatment course. Patients who are allergic to Valsartan or other ingredients of the drug should not take it. The medication can be quite harmful to unborn and nursing children, so it is forbidden for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Provide your doctor with a complete list of prescription and generic treatments, herbal products, vitamins, minerals and supplements you are using, since some of them can interact with Diovan leading to dangerous side effects. Other treatments may simply decrease or fully eliminate its potent action. Do not combine Diovan with Ritonavir, Cyclosporine, Lithium, Rifampin, Diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and others.
Proper Diovan intake is halfway to a successful treatment course with beneficial results only. However, the drug misuse or overuse can lead to harmful reactions and aggravating complications. The medication can trigger cough, diarrhea, stomach pain, flu symptoms, dizziness, weariness and similar symptoms. However, they serve a common reaction of the organism to the ingredients of the drug.
Diovan is commonly prescribed as a hypertension treatment in patients over 6 years old. Heart failure, heart attack and related disorders may be prevented with the drug. The treatment can be combined with other blood pressure remedies, but only in case the doctor advises you to. Diovan can be used for other purposes, not mentioned in the safety leaflet.
Recommendations for Use
The dose depends on numerous factors, while on average 40 mg up to 320 mg Diovan can be used a day. The intakes are usually divided into two. The initial dose is 80 mg once a day, while the dose can be increased, depending on the organism response to the components of the medication. The complete therapy may take up to 4 weeks.
Precautions and Contraindications
Inform your physician about other illnesses and disorders you have, especially dehydration, liver dysfunction, kidney disorders, allergic reactions, heart problems and others. Diovan is not recommended for anyone younger than 6 years old.
Drug Interactions
Side Effects
Call your doctor if these symptoms get worse and activate more severe side effects, especially breathing problems, exertions, irregular heartbeats, increased potassium level in the body, confusion, dizziness, decreased appetite, urination problems, reasonless weight gain, nausea, vomiting and others.
Seek immediate medical help if any signs of allergic reactions (swelling, hives, itching, breathing disorders, etc.) have appeared during Diovan intake.