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HOW TO USE: Take diovan capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Diovan can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon: difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, or tightening of the throat; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, hands, or feet; unusual rash.
Other: decreased amount of urine passed; confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting spells; fast or uneven heart beat, palpitations, or chest pain; decreased sexual function.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): cough; diarrhea; fatigue or tiredness; headache; nausea or stomach pain.
PRECAUTIONS: Check your blood pressure regularly while you are taking diovan. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure should be and when you should contact him or her. When you check your blood pressure, write down the measurements to show your prescriber or health care professional. If you are taking this medicine for a long time you must visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Make sure you schedule appointments on a regular basis.
You may experience dizziness. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness until you know how valsartan affects you. To avoid dizziness, do not stand or sit up quickly.
Avoid salt substitutes unless you are told otherwise by your prescriber or health care professional.
If you are going to have surgery tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking diovan.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Blood pressure medications; hawthorn; lithium; potassium salts or potassium supplements; water pills (especially potassium-sparing diuretics such as triamterene or amiloride).
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
NOTES: Prescriber needs to know if you have any of these conditions: heart failure; kidney disease, specifically renal artery stenosis; liver disease; electrolyte imbalance (e.g. low or high levels of potassium in the blood); if you are on a special diet, such as a low-salt diet (e.g. using potassium substitutes); an unusual or allergic reaction to valsartan, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives; pregnant or trying to get pregnant; breast-feeding.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
STORAGE: Keep out of the reach of children and in a container that small children cannot open.
Store your medicine at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep your medicine container tightly closed and protect it from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
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