Before taking Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to ACE inhibitors (e.g., benazepril, captopril); or if you have any other allergies.
Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: urinary problems (inability to make urine or anuria).
Before using Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, severe loss of body fluids (dehydration through excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea), mineral/electrolyte problems (e.g., imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium), gout, lupus, high levels of fats in the blood (high cholesterol or triglycerides), asthma.
If you have diabetes, Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg may affect your blood sugar levels. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage of your medications used to treat diabetes (e.g., insulin, glipizide). Monitor your blood sugar levels as instructed and tell your doctor immediately if you develop signs of high blood sugar (e.g., increased thirst, unusual tiredness, vision changes, fruity breath odor).
Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg.
Hydrochlorothiazide may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths or sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Caution is advised when using Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the dizziness effect.
Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. (See also Warning section.)
Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
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.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist before you start taking Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding this information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Take Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. You may take Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg with or without food. Use Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg 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 Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg occurs.
It is important to continue taking Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
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.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual thirst, weakness, confusion, fainting, fast heartbeat, decreased sexual ability.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: unusual change in the amount of urine (not including the normal increase in urine when you first start Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg), signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat), seizures, yellowing eyes or skin, stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, unusual fatigue.
An allergic reaction to Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Click HERE to learn more about Diovan/HCT side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg, 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.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also How to Use section.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: dofetilide.
If you are currently using Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide.
Before using Diovan/HCT (valsartan/hctz) 160/12.5mg, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cisapride, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), diazoxide, digoxin, drugs which can increase dizziness (e.g., phenobarbital, narcotic analgesics), drugs which are affected by the acid level in the urine (e.g., amphetamine, methenamine, quinidine), lithium, probenecid.
Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.