What is Diovan?

Diovan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Diovan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Diovan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart failure. It is also used to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack. Diovan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Diovan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
How To Take Diovan?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Take Diovan with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested.
Diovan Side Effects
Diovan® (valsartan) has been evaluated for safety in more than 4,000 patients, including over 400 treated for over 6 months, and more than 160 for over 1 year. Adverse experiences have generally been mild and transient in nature and have only infrequently required discontinuation of therapy.

Safety Information

DIOVAN are approved to treat high blood pressure and are not approved to prevent heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or eye damage resulting from high blood pressure. Taking Diovan during pregnancy can cause injury and even death to your unborn baby. If you get pregnant, stop taking Diovan and call your doctor right away. The most serious side effects with both Diovan are low blood pressure (hypotension) and kidney problems, and additionally with Diovan HCT, skin rash. Other side effects with Diovan have generally mild. The most common side effects with Diovan are headache and dizziness. High blood pressure medications like Diovan, have generally been found to be less effective in African Americans.