INTRODUCTION

DIOVAN 160MG contains Valsartan which belongs to the group of medicines called Angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It is used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults, children and adolescents (6years to less than 18 years). Hypertension is a condition in which the force of the blood against the blood vessel walls is too high which is characterized by headache, irregular heartbeat, vision changes, feeling of overtiredness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain. It is also used to manage adult patients with recent heart attack (blockage of blood flow to heart muscle with the symptoms of tightness or pain in chest, neck, back or arms, fatigue) and symptomatic heart failure (a condition where the pumping of heart is inadequate to meet body’s need which is characterized by shortness of breath, fatigue, fast heartbeat).

Valsartan makes blood vessels to relax, reduces the cardiac output and thus lowers the blood pressure by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II (a substance produced in your body which causes narrowing of blood vessels). Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (Ex. potassium) in your body prior to the management or at regular intervals along with the management.

DIOVAN 160MG is not recommended for use in patients having severe liver disease. It should be used in caution with patient having kidney, liver, and heart problems. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your doctor for advice before taking DIOVAN 160MG. It should be used with caution in children and adolescent of 6 years to less than18 years age. DIOVAN 160MG should be used with caution in patients above 65years of age. The most common side effects of taking DIOVAN 160MG is low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, headache, diarrhea. Consult your doctor if the symptom worsens.

USES OF DIOVAN 160MG

• Manages high blood pressure in adults, children and adolescents (6years to less than 18years of age
• Manages adult patients after a recent heart attack
• Manages symptomatic heart failure in adult patients

HOW DIOVAN 160MG WORKS

DIOVAN 160MG makes blood vessels to relax, reduces the cardiac output and thus lowers the blood pressure by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II (substance produced in your body which causes narrowing of blood vessels).

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DIOVAN 160MG as advised by your physician. Swallow this medicine, do not crush, or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DIOVAN 160MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or Vomiting:

Take this medicine with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. Avoid drinking too much liquid along with your meals, drink slowly in between meals. Consult your doctor if your symptom does not improve

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep yourself hydrated. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor.

Dizziness:

When you feel dizzy, lie, or sit down immediately, if you're experiencing a severe episode of vertigo, lie in a dark and quite place with eyes closed. Vehicle driving should be avoided if you experience frequent dizziness without warning. Talk to your doctor if the symptom worsens.

Headache:

Apply hot or cold-water bag on your head. Try taking rest in a quiet and dark room. Drink tea or coffee. Massage with mild pressure on scalp or head. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

Tiredness:

Drink plenty of fluid and eat balanced diet and frequent meals. Do regular minimal exercise and follow regular sleep schedule. Consult your doctor if the symptom does not improve.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug - Drug interactions:

Before taking DIOVAN 160MG, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• angiotensin II receptor blockers used to manage high blood pressure (Ex. Telmisartan, losartan, valsartan)     
• aliskiren or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors used to manage high blood pressure (Ex. enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril)
• diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide (used to manage oedema or high blood pressure)
• beta blockers like atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol (medicine used to manage abnormal heart rhythms)
• potassium supplements and potassium-containing salt substitutes that rise the potassium level in body
• heparin (medicine used to prevent blood clot)
• mineralocorticoid receptors antagonists like spironolactone, eplerenone (medicines used to manage high blood pressure and heart failure
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – medicines used to manage pain and inflammation (Ex. aspirin, ibuprofen)
• rifamycin (medicine used against bacterial infections)
• ciclosporin which is used to protect against transplant rejection
• ritonavir (medicine used to manage HIV/AIDS infection)
• medicines containing lithium (used to manage some types of depression)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of DIOVAN 160MG, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. The most common symptom of overdose are severe dizziness and fainting.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep DIOVAN 160MG out of reach of children
• Store at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT DIOVAN 160MG

Can DIOVAN 160MG be used to manage high blood pressure?

DIOVAN 160MG can be considered as a drug of choice for high blood pressure. It contains Valsartan which helps to relax the blood vessels and then normalize the blood pressure. Although, DIOVAN 160MG can manage high blood pressure, your doctor might manage you with other drugs depending upon your condition.

Can DIOVAN 160MG be given to children?

DIOVAN 160MG can be used with caution in children and adolescents (6years to less than 18 years of age) who are having high blood pressure. Duration and dose to be taken will be adjusted depending on the body weight. Consult your physician before taking DIOVAN 160MG.

What happens if I stop taking DIOVAN 160MG?

Do not stop taking DIOVAN 160MG without talking to your doctor first. Stopping this medicine suddenly can cause your blood pressure to spike and may increase the risk for heart attack or heart failure.

Can heart patients take DIOVAN 160MG?

DIOVAN 160MG should be taken with caution in patients having severe heart disease and also in patients who have an history of heart attack or heart failure. Before taking DIOVAN 160MG consult with your doctor.

Does DIOVAN 160MG affects the kidney?

One of the common side effects of DIOVAN 160MG is impaired kidney function with signs such as loss of appetite, decreased urinary output, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness, sleep problems, reduced urine output, muscle cramps. Consult your physician before taking DIOVAN 160MG.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Drugs Affecting Renin Angiotensin System. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth edition. 2019. Page – 536-538.

2. Ivo Abraham, Karen MacDonald, Christine Hermans, Ann Aerts, Christopher Lee, Heidi Brié and Stefaan Vancayzeele. Real-world effectiveness of valsartan on hypertension and total cardiovascular risk: review and implications of a translational research program. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubMed Central. March 2011. [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072745/

3. Qi-Fang Huang, Yan Li, and Ji-Guang Wang. Overview of clinical use and side effect profile of valsartan in Chinese hypertensive patients. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. PubMed Central. December2013. [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3883632/

4. Novartis Farma S.p.A. Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). [Revised in November 2021] [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/15a33c68-6eca-4aeb-aba4-a39d15ba6d2f.pdf

5. Gerard Laboratories. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in January 2020].  [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8184/pil#gref

6. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. U.S. Food & Drug Administration [Revised in January 2017] [Accessed 18th May 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021283s50lbl.pdf

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Kidney function test
• Electrolyte test