Diovan Hct - Valsartan W/ Hydrochlorothiazide - Oral Brand Drug

General Information

• Below is miscellaneous information regarding Diovan Hct.
• Diovan HCT
• val-SAR-tan WITH HI-dro-klor-oh-THIGH-uh-zide

What To Do In Case Of Medical Emergency

• Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency.
• For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Overdose

• If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
• Symptoms of overdose may include unusually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness or fainting.

What To Do In Case Of Missed Dose

• If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
• If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
• Do not double the dose to catch up.

Diovan Hct Storage Instructions

• Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
• Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted.
• Do not store in the bathroom.
• Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Read Before Using Diovan Hct (precautions)

• This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
• Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have.

Medicinal Applications

• This drug is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
• This medication is a combination of two drugs (an angiotensin receptor blocker and a thiazide "water pill"/diuretic).
• Valsartan blocks the hormone angiotensin thereby relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen.
• The thiazide diuretic increases the amount of urine you make, therefore decreasing excess water and salt in your body.
• High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

Other Medicinal Applications

• This drug may also be used to treat heart failure and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.

Usage Instructions

• Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor.
• You may take this drug with or without food.
• Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
• To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.
• Drink adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated.
• If you are on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions.
• Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.
• This medicine can infrequently raise or lower your potassium blood levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness/cramping or very slow heartbeats.
• Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur.
• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
• For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 4 weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs.
• It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
• Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
• If you are also taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide at least 2 hours before either of these drugs.

Possible Side Effects

• You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, or tiredness as your body adjusts to the medication.
• You may also experience diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or cough.
• If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
• Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur.

Drug Compatibility Recommendations

• This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur.

Diovan Hct Miscellaneous Notes

• Do not share this medication with others.
• Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
• Laboratory and/or medical tests (for example, kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
• Consult your doctor for more details.
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication.
• Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home.
• Discuss this with your doctor.

Warning

• This drug can cause serious fetal harm (possibly death) if used during the last six months of pregnancy.
• If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately.