Diovan is convenient to take and can be taken alone or with other blood pressure medications.
Below is some basic information about taking Diovan (valsartan) tablets. If you have additional unanswered questions, see Questions to Ask Your Doctor.
Click on a link below to get additional information about Diovan.
If you become pregnant, stop taking Diovan and call your doctor right away. Diovan can harm an unborn baby, causing injury or even death. If you plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other treatment options to lower your high blood pressure before taking Diovan.
Diovan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). It is used to lower high blood pressure in adults, and children 6 to 16 years of age. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
Diovan is also indicated for the treatment of heart failure in adults. In a controlled clinical trial, Diovan significantly reduced hospitalizations for heart failure. There is no evidence that Diovan provides added benefits when it is used with an adequate dose of an ACE inhibitor.
Diovan is also used in adults to improve the chance of living longer after a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Diovan is not for everyone. You should not take Diovan if you:
- Are allergic to any of the ingredients of this product.
- Are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to become pregnant.
Diovan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and is used to lower high blood pressure in children 6 to 16 years of age. Diovan is not for children under 6 years of age or children with certain kidney problems.
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including whether you:
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking:
- Other medicines for high blood pressure or a heart problem.
- Water pills (also called "diuretics").
- Potassium supplements or are using a salt substitute containing potassium.
- Aspirin or other medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Keep a list of your medicines with you to show to your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking any new medicine. Your doctor or pharmacist will know what medicines are safe to take together.
Be sure to inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or planning to take any other medication. Only your healthcare professional can decide if you can take Diovan along with other medications, including over-the-counter drugs. If you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, please contact your healthcare professional immediately.
Diovan can be taken with or without food.
- Take Diovan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
- It's important that you take your Diovan tablets every day or as directed by your healthcare professional, at the same time each day. Usually, Diovan is taken once daily for high blood pressure.
- Diovan can be taken with or without food.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time.
- If you take too much Diovan, call your doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Diovan should be discontinued if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, because it may cause harm or even death to the unborn child.
No. Continue with therapy as directed by your doctor.
If you forget to take a dose of Diovan, take the missed dose as soon as you remember—unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your regular time. As with any medication, Diovan should be taken exactly as directed by your healthcare professional.
Do not cut or crush Diovan tablets unless directed by your healthcare professional.
Diovan may cause the following serious side effects:
- Injury or death to an unborn baby. See What is the most important information I should know about Diovan?
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Low blood pressure is most likely to happen if you also take water pills, are on a low-salt diet, get dialysis treatments, have heart problems, or get sick with vomiting or diarrhea. Lie down if you feel faint or dizzy. Call your doctor right away.
- Kidney problems. Kidney problems may get worse in people that already have kidney disease. Some people will have changes on blood tests for kidney function and may need a lower dose of Diovan. Call your doctor if you get swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands, or unexplained weight gain. If you have heart failure, your doctor should check your kidney function before prescribing Diovan.
The most common side effects of Diovan used to treat people with high blood pressure include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Flu symptoms
- Tiredness
- Stomach (abdominal) pain
Side effects were generally mild and brief. They generally have not caused patients to stop taking Diovan.
The most common side effects of Diovan used to treat people with heart failure include:
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Joint and back pain
- Tiredness
- High blood potassium
Common side effects of Diovan used to treat people after a heart attack that caused them to stop taking the drug include:
- Low blood pressure
- Cough
- High blood creatinine (decreased kidney function)
- Rash
Tell your doctor if you get any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Diovan. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Valsartan is the active ingredient in Diovan. The inactive ingredients of the tablets are colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxides (yellow, black and/or red), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 8000, and titanium dioxide.
- Store Diovan tablets at room temperature between 59° and 86°F.
- Keep Diovan in a closed container in a dry place.
- Keep Diovan and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient materials. Do not use Diovan for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Diovan to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.
If you would like more information about Diovan, talk with your healthcare professional. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Diovan that is written for health professionals.
For more information about Diovan, ask your pharmacist or doctor, or call
1-866-404-6361.
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