Diovan 40mg Tablets

Valsartan selectively blocks the binding of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor in many tissues, including vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. This blockade inhibits the vasoconstrictive and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation, decreased peripheral vascular resistance, and reduced blood pressure. It does not inhibit ACE, thus avoiding the bradykinin-mediated cough associated with ACE inhibitors.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of kidney problems, including:
+ Inability to pass urine
+ Changes in urine output
+ Blood in the urine
+ Sudden weight gain
Signs of high potassium levels, such as:
+ Abnormal heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Weakness, lightheadedness, or dizziness
+ Feeling like passing out
+ Numbness or tingling
+ Shortness of breath
Severe dizziness or fainting
Swelling in the arms or legs
Changes in vision

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:

Dizziness, tiredness, or weakness
Stomach pain or diarrhea
Back pain
Joint pain
Headache
Flu-like symptoms

Reporting Side Effects

This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced.
If you are taking a medication that contains aliskiren and have either diabetes or kidney problems.
If you are breastfeeding, as you should not breastfeed while taking this medication.

For Parents and Caregivers:

Do not give this medication to children under 1 year of age, as it is not recommended for this age group.

Additional Considerations:

This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions. Never start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is essential to inform all of your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.

When starting this medication, avoid driving and other activities that require alertness until you understand how it affects you. To minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting, get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position, and exercise caution when climbing stairs.

Please note that it may take several weeks to experience the full effects of this medication. As directed by your healthcare provider, regularly check your blood pressure and undergo blood tests to monitor your condition. If you have any concerns or questions, discuss them with your doctor.

If you are using a salt substitute containing potassium, a potassium-sparing diuretic, or a potassium product, consult your doctor to ensure safe use. Additionally, if you are on a low-salt or salt-free diet, inform your doctor to discuss any necessary adjustments.

Before consuming alcohol, talk to your doctor to understand any potential risks or interactions. In hot weather or during physical activity, be cautious and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. If you experience excessive sweating, fluid loss, vomiting, or diarrhea, notify your doctor, as these symptoms may lead to low blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure and are taking this medication, consult your doctor before using over-the-counter (OTC) products that may increase blood pressure, such as cough or cold medications, diet pills, stimulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, and certain natural products or aids.

It is also important to note that this medication may be less effective in lowering blood pressure in Black patients. In some cases, your doctor may need to prescribe an additional medication to achieve the desired effect. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with your doctor.

• Aliskiren (in patients with diabetes or renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min/1.73m2))

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride)
• Potassium supplements
• Salt substitutes containing potassium
• NSAIDs (including selective COX-2 inhibitors)
• Lithium

• Other antihypertensive agents (additive hypotensive effect)
• Diuretics (increased risk of hypotension)
• CYP2C9 inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole, amiodarone) - minor interaction, valsartan is not significantly metabolized by CYP2C9

• Not available

• Dizziness or lightheadedness (especially upon standing)
• Fatigue
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Signs of hyperkalemia (e.g., muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat)
• Signs of worsening renal function (e.g., decreased urine output, swelling in ankles/feet)

Contraindicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy due to significant risk of fetal injury and death. Not recommended during the first trimester.

Not recommended during breastfeeding. It is unknown if valsartan is excreted in human milk. Due to the potential for serious adverse effects in the breastfed infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Approved for hypertension in children 6-16 years of age. Not recommended for children under 6 years or those with GFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2. Dosing is weight-based. Safety and efficacy for heart failure or post-MI in pediatric patients have not been established.

No specific dose adjustment is required based on age alone. However, older patients may be more sensitive to the hypotensive effects and may have age-related decreases in renal function, requiring careful monitoring of blood pressure, renal function, and electrolytes.

• Valsartan is a good alternative for patients who develop a cough with ACE inhibitors, as it does not affect bradykinin metabolism.
• It is crucial to monitor serum potassium levels, especially in patients with renal impairment, diabetes, or those concurrently taking potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements, due to the risk of hyperkalemia.
• For heart failure, valsartan is typically initiated at a low dose and titrated slowly to the target dose to minimize the risk of hypotension.
• Patients should be advised to report any signs of angioedema immediately, although it is less common with ARBs than with ACE inhibitors.
• Consistent administration relative to food is important for heart failure patients due to the significant food effect on bioavailability.

• Other Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) (e.g., Losartan, Irbesartan, Candesartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan)
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors (e.g., Lisinopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) (e.g., Amlodipine, Nifedipine)
• Thiazide Diuretics (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone)
• Beta-blockers (e.g., Metoprolol, Carvedilol)
• Other classes of antihypertensives depending on patient comorbidities.

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor promptly. To ensure safe and effective treatment, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the overdose, including the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.