Manufacturer: Novartis
Pharmaceutical name: Valsartan
Pack: 1 pack (28 tabs (160 mg))
Diovan (Valsartan) is a medication that acts as an angiotensin II receptor blocker. It prevents the narrowing of blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure and enhance blood circulation.
Diovan is prescribed for managing high blood pressure and heart failure. Additionally, it can help increase the likelihood of survival following a heart attack. In individuals with heart failure, it may reduce the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure. Valsartan is part of a drug class known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Its mechanism involves relaxing blood vessels to facilitate easier blood flow. By lowering elevated blood pressure, it aids in the prevention of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney issues.
Typical Adult Dosage for Hypertension: Starting dose: 80 to 160 mg taken orally once a day. Maintenance dose: 80 to 320 mg taken orally once daily.
Typical Adult Dosage for Left Ventricular Dysfunction: Starting dose: 20 mg taken orally twice a day. Maintenance dosage: The initial dose may be increased within 7 days to 40 mg twice daily, with further adjustments possible up to a target maintenance dose of 160 mg twice daily based on the patient's tolerance. If the patient experiences symptomatic hypotension or renal issues, a dosage decrease should be considered.
Diovan may be started as soon as 12 hours following a myocardial infarction and can be administered alongside other customary treatments for post-myocardial infarction, such as thrombolytics, aspirin, beta blockers, and statins.
Typical Pediatric Dosage for Hypertension: Ages 6 to 16: Initial dose: 1.3 mg/kg once daily (up to 40 mg). Maintenance dose: up to 2.7 mg/kg (up to 160 mg) once daily, adjusted according to the patient's response.
Possible side effects include headache, dizziness, weakness, insomnia, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, coughing, runny nose, impotence, decreased kidney function, and allergic reactions.