Before you use Diovan, please read this leaflet carefully because it contains important information about this medicine. If you have further questions or special concerns, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Composition
One coated tablet contains 80mg or 160 mg Valsartan .
Properties of the drug
Diovan belongs to a new class of medicines known as angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, which help to control high blood pressure. Angiotensin-II is a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten, thus causing your blood pressure to increase. Diovan works by blocking the effect of angiotensin-II. As a result, blood vessels relax and blood pressure is lowered.
Indications
Diovan is used to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, it can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, and may result in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attaks. Lowering your blood pressure to normal reduces the risk of developing these disorders.
Contraindications
You should not take Diovan :
- If you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to valsartan or to any other component of this drug;
- If you are pregnant.
Precautions
You may only take Diovan after a medical examination. Diovan may not be suitable for all patients.
Tell your doctor before taking Diovan if you:
- have a serious kidney or liver disease.
- are suffering from vomiting or diarrhea or taking high doses of a diuretic.
Drug and drug interactions
Before taking any medicine with Diovan, tell your doctor or pharmacist. It may be necessary to change the dose, to take other precautions, or in some cases to stop taking one of the medicines. This applies to both prescription and non-prescripton medicines, especially:
- Medicines used to lower blood pressure, especially diuretics;
- Potassium-sparing medicines, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Diovan if you are pregnant. Use of similar medicines after the first 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious harm to the unborn child. It is not known whether they are harmful during the first 3 months. It is therefore important to check with your doctor immediately if you think you may have become pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is also advisable not to take Diovan during breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Children and elderly patients
You can also use Diovan if you are 65 years of age or older. There is no experience with Diovan in children.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Like many other medicines used to treat high blood pressure, Diovan may in rare cases cause dizziness and affect the concentration. So before you drive a vehicle, use machinery, or do other things that need concentration, make sure you know how you react to the effects of Diovan.
Dosage and administration
Patients who have high blood pressure often do not notice any signs of this problem. Many may feel quite normal. This makes it all the more important for you to take your medicine as directed by the doctor and to keep your appointments with him even if you are feeling well.
The usual dosage is 80 mg tablet once a day. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose(e.g. 160 mg tablet) or additional medicine (e.g.diuretic).
You may take Diovan with or without food.
It is advisable to take your medicine at the same time each day, preferably in the morning. However, if you forget to take a dose of this medicine, carry on with the next one at the usual time. Do not double the doses.
Overdose
If you experience severe dizziness and/or fainting tell your doctor as soon as possible
Undesirable effects
Like all medicines, Diovan may cause unwanted reactions( side effects) in some people, in addition to its goods effects. Some of these unwanted reactions may be similar to symptoms caused by your specific medical condition; others may not be reactions at all, being unrelated to your treatment. Many side effects will clear up without you having to stop treatment. Check with your doctor if any of the following persit or are distressing.
The more commun side effect could be headache (in 10 out of 100 patients). Other symptoms, such as dizziness, cold and flu-like symptoms, dry cough, diarrhea, tiredness, nausea, pain in the back, the stomach or the joints are much less commun (in 1-4 patients out of 100). Rare side effects include swelling or accumulation of fluid, rash, weakness, sleep disturbance, change of libido. In very rare cases, allergic reactions like swelling of the face, eyelids, lips have been reported.
If you notice any other effects not listed above, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Caution
Do not take Diovan past the expiry date shown on the pack.
Store your tablets in the original package in a dry place at room temperature and avoid temperatures above 25o C.
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children because it may harm them.
Remember
This medicine has been prescribed for your current medical problem only. Do not give it to other people. Do not use it yourself for other problems unless your doctor tells you to do so.
It is important that you take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you in order to get the best results and reduce the chance of side effects.
Presentation
Packing of 14 tablets