Diovan and its Uses
Generic Diovan contains the active ingredient valsartan, which is a type of medicine called an angiotensin II antagonist.
Generic Diovan (Valsartan) is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Generic Diovan is also used to treat heart failure in people who cannot take angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Generic Diovan works by blocking the action of certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels, so blood flows more smoothly.
Generic Diovan was approved by the FDA in December of 1996.
|| Top || Working Mechanism of Diovan
Angiotensin II is involved in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. It acts on special angiotensin receptors in the body, with two main results. Firstly, it causes the peripheral blood vessels to narrow, and secondly, it stimulates the production of another hormone called Aldosterone. Aldosterone causes salt and water to be retained by the kidneys, which increases the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.
Generic Diovan blocks the receptors that angiotensin II acts on, and so prevents its actions. The main result of this is that the peripheral blood vessels are allowed to widen, which means that there is more space and less resistance in these blood vessels. This is the main mechanism by which the pressure in the blood vessels is lowered.
Blocking the actions of angiotensin II also reduces the action of aldosterone on the kidneys. The result of this is an increase in the amount of fluid removed from the blood by the kidneys. This decreases the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, which also lessens the resistance and pressure in the blood vessels.
The combined overall effect of these changes is to lower the blood pressure, hence Generic Diovan (valsartan) is used to treat high blood pressure. The reduced pressure within the blood vessels also means that the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump the blood around the body. For this reason, Generic Diovan may be prescribed to people who have had a heart attack.
Sometimes a heart attackcan damage a chamber of the heart known as the left ventricle. This damage means that the heart doesn't pump as effectively as it should. Generic Diovan reduces the workload of the heart and has been shown to improve survival in people who have this problem following a heart attack.
|| Top ||
Diovan Dose
Missed dose of Diovan
If you miss a dose of Diavon, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose of Diavon, do not take the missed dose. Just take the next dose of Diovan at your regular time.
Excess dose of Diovan
Limited data is available related to overdose of Diovan in humans.
Symptoms of a Diovan overdose are not well known but may include dizziness, weakness, fainting, rapid or pounding heartbeat and fatigue.
If you take too much of Generic Diovan, call your doctor or poison control centre, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Conditions for storage of Generic Diovan
Keep Generic Diovan in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store Generic Diovan at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
Potencies of Generic Diovan
Diovan Tablets / Capsules Diovan 80 mg & Diavon 160 mg
|| Top ||
Food and Drug Interactions with Diovan
- Generic Diovan can be taken with or without food.
- There may be an increased risk of raised blood potassium levels (hyperkalaemia) if Diovan is taken with any of the following:
- potassium-sparing diuretics (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide)
- potassium supplements such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others
- potassium-containing salt substitutes.
- Generic Diovan can affect potassium levels in the body. You may not be able to take Diovan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
- Tell your doctor about any other medicines you take to treat high blood pressure or another heart condition. Generic Diovan may cause very low blood pressure if it is taken with other heart medications.
- Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Generic Diovan or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
- People who are taking high doses of diuretic medicines such as frusemide may experience a large drop in blood pressure when Diovan is first started. To avoid this your doctor may reduce or stop your diuretic before this medicine is started.
- It is recommended that these are not used in combination with valsartan. If any of these are used by elderly people or those with kidney impairment while taking Generic Diovan (valsartan), the amount of potassium in your blood should be monitored.
|| Top ||
Contraindications of Diovan
Generic Diovan is contraindicated in
- Severely decreased liver function
- Liver cirrhosis
- Blockage of the bile duct (biliary obstruction)
Pregnancy: Generic Diovan should not be used during pregnancy, as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor. It is not known if Generic Diovan passes into breast milk, therefore it is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Generic Diovan should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using Generic Diovan and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Generic Diovan has not been studied in children under 18 years of age.
|| Top ||
Precautions with Diovan
- Elderly people
- Decreased kidney function
- Narrowing of the artery which supplies blood to the kidneys (renal artery stenosis)
- Mild to moderately decreased liver function
- Severe heart failure
People with low fluid volume or salt levels in the body, e.g. due to diuretic therapy, low-sodium diet, diarrhea or vomiting.
|| Top ||
Adverse effects with Diovan
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with Generic Diovan.
- Increased level of potassium in the blood
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Fainting (syncope)
- Diarrhea
- Decrease in the number of a type of white blood cell (neutrophil) in the blood (neutropenia)
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)
- Pain in the muscles and joints
- Headache
- Temporary taste disturbance
- Decreased kidney function
- Disturbances of liver function
- Cough
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
The side effects for Diovan listed above may not include all of the side effects reported. If you experience any other side effect, please inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
|
