Diovan 160mg

Drug name: Diovan
Therapeutic actions: 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.

Indications: 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.

Contraindications and cautions:
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. Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Diovan or to sulfa drugs, or if you are unable to urinate. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Diovan. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Diovan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Diovan, or if you:

• are unable to urinate; or
• are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Before using Diovan, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.

Adverse effects: The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• urinating less than usual, or not at all;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Keep taking Diovan and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• headache, dizziness;
• joint or muscle pain;
• upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, gas;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough; or
• dry mouth.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

Interactions: Tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine.

Before taking Diovan, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• any other blood pressure medications; or
• a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Diovan, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.