Diovan HCT® (Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide) Tablets for Hypertension

What Valsartan HCT Is and How It Works

Valsartan HCT combines two blood pressure medicines in one tablet: valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Valsartan HCT helps lower high blood pressure when one agent alone is not enough. This page covers dosing, strengths, safety, savings, and how to compare options, including the brand Diovan HCT®. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba where licensed pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing, with brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, online and phone ordering, and customer chat during posted hours.

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It relaxes blood vessels by blocking angiotensin II effects. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. It lowers blood pressure by helping the kidneys remove extra salt and water. Taken together as Valsartan HCT, the two actions complement each other for better control in people needing combination therapy.

This oral medicine is taken once daily. Common strengths include 80/12.5 mg, 160/12.5 mg, 160/25 mg, 320/12.5 mg, and 320/25 mg. Many prescribers use valsartan HCT 160 12.5 to start, then adjust to valsartan hct 160 25 mg or valsartan hct 320 25 mg if needed. Patients who need a lower dose may use valsartan hct 80 12.5 mg. The combination is a generic for valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide, often known by the brand Diovan HCT® or as diovan hydrochlorothiazide.

Indication is the treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of stroke and heart problems over time. Tablets may be round or oblong depending on the exact strength and manufacturer. The appearance can vary between suppliers.

Dosage and Usage

• Typical initiation: 160/12.5 mg once daily, or 80/12.5 mg for those needing a gentler start.
• Titration: evaluate response after 1–2 weeks; increase strength if blood pressure remains above target.
• Common targets include 160/25 mg once daily; some patients require 320/25 mg.
• Take at the same time each day for steady effect; morning use may limit nighttime urination.
• May be taken with or without food; swallow tablets whole with water.
• Missed dose: take soon after remembering unless it is close to the next dose; do not double doses.
• Volume depletion increases dizziness risk; clinicians often review diuretic doses when starting therapy.
• Kidney function and electrolytes are commonly checked during therapy, especially after dose changes.
• Valsartan hydrochlorothiazide dose adjustments may be needed in the elderly or those with renal impairment.
• Ask about drug interactions if also taking lithium, NSAIDs, or aliskiren.

• Store tablets at 20–25°C (68–77°F); short excursions 15–30°C (59–86°F) are acceptable.
• Keep in a dry place, protected from moisture and light; use the original container with desiccant if provided.
• Do not store in a bathroom. Avoid excessive heat, freezing, or direct sun.
• For travel, carry in a sealed bottle in hand luggage with a copy of the prescription.
• If flying, keep medicine with you; temperature and pressure in checked baggage can vary widely.
• Use a pill organizer only if it remains dry; label it clearly with the drug name and strength.

Benefits and Savings

The combination simplifies therapy by putting two agents into one pill. That reduces pill burden and helps adherence. Blood pressure lowering is often stronger than with either agent alone. Multiple strengths allow fine-tuning, including valsartan hct 160 12.5 mg and valsartan hct 320 25. Many patients reach goals with once-daily dosing and stable control through the day.

You can expect Canadian pharmacy pricing, with typical 60–80% savings compared with many US retail prices. This helps those comparing diovan hct price and diovan hct cost. Reorder reminders are available, and a multi-month supply may reduce per-month costs further when permitted by the prescription.

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Side Effects and Safety

• Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially at the start or after dose increases.
• Headache or fatigue.
• Increased urination from hydrochlorothiazide, mainly at the beginning of therapy.
• Electrolyte changes (potassium, sodium, magnesium), including low sodium.
• Changes in kidney function or creatinine.
• Gout flare due to higher uric acid.
• Photosensitivity or rash; use sun protection as needed.
• Nausea, abdominal discomfort, or diarrhea.

Serious but uncommon risks include severe hypotension, acute kidney injury, or angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue). Hydrochlorothiazide can rarely cause acute angle-closure glaucoma or acute myopia; urgent eye care is required if vision changes occur. ARBs, including valsartan, are contraindicated in pregnancy because of fetal toxicity. Do not use with aliskiren in patients with diabetes. Sulfonamide allergy requires caution with hydrochlorothiazide.

Onset Time

Initial blood pressure reduction can appear within a few days of starting Valsartan HCT. Most of the effect is seen after 1–2 weeks, with full effect by 4 weeks as the valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide dosage stabilizes. The diuretic effect begins within hours of the first dose, while vascular effects from valsartan build over days. Dose adjustments are usually assessed after one to two weeks.

Compare With Alternatives

ARB monotherapy suits people who do not yet need a diuretic. If that is appropriate, consider Valsartan, which offers once-daily dosing and a wide strength range. Some patients who start with an ARB alone later move to a fixed-dose combination like Valsartan HCT for stronger control.

Another option is a different ARB plus hydrochlorothiazide. For example, Telmisartan Hct is an alternative for those who respond better to telmisartan. Choice depends on blood pressure response, tolerability, kidney function, and interaction profile.

People with additional needs may use an ARB with a calcium channel blocker instead, or even a triple combination (valsartan amlodipine hct). Each step should match clinical goals and side-effect tolerance, not just the numerical dose.

Combination Therapy

• ARB + thiazide: Valsartan HCT is the fixed-dose version, simplifying two medicines into one pill.
• ARB + calcium channel blocker: Often considered when edema or added vasodilation is needed; watch for dizziness.
• ARB + beta blocker: Used in select cases; heart rate and blood pressure monitoring are important.
• Triple therapy (ARB, CCB, thiazide): For resistant hypertension; doses are adjusted to minimize hypotension.
• Avoid dual renin-angiotensin blockade (ARB + ACE inhibitor or aliskiren) in diabetes or kidney impairment due to increased risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults with hypertension not controlled on a single agent. Those who experienced cough on an ACE inhibitor may prefer an ARB-based option like Valsartan HCT. The medicine is not indicated in children. Pregnant individuals, and those planning pregnancy, should not take valsartan.

Use caution in severe kidney disease, liver disease, or in people prone to low sodium or low potassium. Anuria is a contraindication to hydrochlorothiazide. A history of gout, photosensitivity, or sulfonamide allergy may influence the choice and dose. Review all medicines, including lithium, NSAIDs, or aliskiren, for interactions.

Supply can vary by manufacturer. Depending on stock, tablets may be labeled by approved suppliers (for example, Mylan), and strengths such as valsartan hct mylan 160 mg 25 mg or valsartan hct mylan 320mg 25mg may be dispensed as equivalent generics.

For budget planning, many customers compare diovan hct price with generic Valsartan HCT. Ordering a longer supply when clinically appropriate can lower the per-month cost. You can set quick reorder reminders in your account so you do not run out. If comparing places to buy diovan hct online, consider service, pharmacist review, and secure shipping as well as price.

Authoritative Sources

Novartis Diovan HCT prescribing information

Health Canada product monograph: Diovan HCT

FDA label for valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide

Order Valsartan HCT from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.