Diovan® (valsartan) Tablets for High Blood Pressure and Heart Care

What Diovan® Is and How It Works

Diovan is the brand name for valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure and supports heart function after a heart attack. Many people also know it as their daily blood pressure medication Diovan, or as the diovan generic, valsartan. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing.

Valsartan blocks the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. This relaxes blood vessels and reduces aldosterone release. The result is lower blood pressure and reduced strain on the heart. Diovan is taken by mouth as film-coated tablets. Dosing is once daily for hypertension, and usually twice daily for heart failure or after a recent myocardial infarction.

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Approved uses include treating hypertension in adults, reducing cardiovascular death after a heart attack, and treating symptomatic heart failure. Strengths commonly used include diovan 80mg and diovan 160 mg, with higher doses like valsartan 160 mg or 320 mg used when needed.

Dosage and Usage

• Hypertension (adults): Typical start is 80 mg or 160 mg once daily. The usual range is 80–320 mg per day. Your prescriber may increase the dose after 2–4 weeks if blood pressure remains above goal.
• Heart failure: Start 40 mg twice daily, then increase to 80–160 mg twice daily as tolerated.
• Post–myocardial infarction: Start 20 mg twice daily, then titrate to 160 mg twice daily over several weeks if tolerated.
• Administration: Take with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day. Swallow tablets with water; do not crush unless your prescriber says it is okay.
• Missed dose: Take it when you remember unless it is close to the next dose. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time. Do not double the dose.
• Strengths and combinations: Tablet strengths include 40, 80, 160, and 320 mg. Combination options include valsartan 80 12.5 and valsartan 160 12.5 with hydrochlorothiazide. Higher diuretic options, such as valsartan hydrochlorothiazide 160 25 mg, are also available.
• Consistency: Check the imprint and strength each refill. If tablets look different, verify the strength (for example, valsartan 160 mg tab versus 80 mg) before use.

• Storage: Store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). Short excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) are acceptable. Keep tablets dry and in the original container.
• Moisture and light: Protect from humidity. Do not store in a bathroom. Keep the cap tightly closed.
• Travel: Carry your medication in hand luggage. Keep it in the labeled pharmacy vial. Do not leave tablets in a hot car.
• Supply planning: Bring extra doses for delays. Use a pill organizer if it helps you take it consistently.

Benefits and Savings

Diovan helps lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. It also improves outcomes in heart failure and after a heart attack by easing the heart’s workload. Once-daily dosing for hypertension is convenient. Multiple strengths allow fine-tuning of therapy. If needed, adding a thiazide diuretic in a single pill can improve control and reduce pill burden.

Buying from Canada often brings meaningful savings. Many customers report 60–80% lower costs versus typical U.S. pharmacy prices. If you are comparing the diovan price to generics, the diovan generic (valsartan) often lowers your monthly spend further. You can review options by strength, including valsartan 80 mg price and valsartan 320 mg price, and choose what fits your prescription. Multi-month supplies and occasional bulk promotions can lower per-month costs. For extra savings, see our diovan coupon.

Side Effects and Safety

• Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when starting or increasing the dose
• Headache or fatigue
• Low blood pressure, with possible fainting in rare cases
• Elevated potassium (may cause muscle weakness or irregular heartbeat)
• Kidney function changes (seen on blood tests)
• Diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, or back pain

Serious reactions are uncommon but need prompt care. Stop the drug and seek help for swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema), severe dizziness, fainting, very low urine output, or symptoms of high potassium. Do not use valsartan during pregnancy; drugs that act on the renin–angiotensin system can harm or end a pregnancy. Avoid combining with aliskiren if you have diabetes. Use caution with potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, and high-potassium salt substitutes. Your prescriber may check kidney function and potassium after starting or adjusting the dose.

Onset Time

Blood pressure usually begins to fall within one to two weeks. The full effect is seen by four weeks as the dose stabilizes. In heart failure, symptom improvement may appear over several weeks, with benefits increasing over months as tolerated doses are reached. After a heart attack, survival benefits accrue over months of continued therapy as part of a comprehensive plan.

Compare With Alternatives

Generic valsartan offers the same active ingredient as Diovan at a lower cost. If you are weighing brands and generics, consider comparing Valsartan with your current dose and tablet size. Many patients achieve the same control with the generic, which can reduce the cost of diovan significantly.

Some people need a diuretic add-on. Diovan combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) brings two medicines into one pill. You can discuss whether a single-pill option like Diovan® Hct or the generic valsartan/HCT may fit your plan. Common strengths include valsartan hctz 160 12.5 mg tab and valsartan hctz 160 25 mg tab.

Other ARBs, such as losartan or irbesartan, are alternatives if you need a different dosing profile or have specific tolerance issues. If cough from an ACE inhibitor was a problem, switching within the ARB class often resolves it.

Combination Therapy

• Thiazide diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide) for additive blood pressure lowering; consider fixed-dose combinations like valsartan 160 12.5 if appropriate.
• Calcium channel blockers (for example, amlodipine) to reach targets when a single agent is not enough.
• Beta blockers, loop diuretics, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in heart failure, guided by specialist care.
• Avoid dual renin–angiotensin system blockade (ACE inhibitor + ARB + aliskiren) due to higher risks.
• Review potassium intake and supplements to reduce the chance of hyperkalemia.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Adults with hypertension, heart failure, or recent myocardial infarction may be candidates for valsartan for blood pressure and cardiac protection. It may not suit those who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Your prescriber may avoid it in severe liver disease, bilateral renal artery stenosis, or if you have persistent high potassium. Lightheadedness is more likely if you are dehydrated or on high-dose diuretics. Always share a full medication list, including lithium, NSAIDs, and potassium products.

To manage costs, consider the diovan generic when appropriate. Compare strengths that match your prescription, such as diovan 80mg or diovan 160, to see which supply option fits your budget. Ask about combination tablets if you already take a diuretic. Choosing one pill can reduce co-pays and simplify dosing. Multi-month fills can lower the average monthly price. You can also set simple reorder reminders in your account so you do not run short.

Authoritative Sources

Novartis Diovan (valsartan) Prescribing Information

DailyMed: Valsartan Drug Label

Health Canada Product Monograph: Diovan

Order Diovan® from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This content is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and the patient information that comes with your medication.