Diovan (valsartan)

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

People who are taking high doses of diuretic medicines such as furosemide may experience a large drop in blood pressure when this medicine is first started. To avoid this, your doctor may stop your diuretic medicine or reduce the dose before you start this medicine.

If this medicine is taken with other medicines that lower blood pressure, the effect on blood pressure may be enhanced. This may cause dizziness, which can usually be relieved by lying down until the symptoms pass. Other medicines that reduce blood pressure include the following:

- other high blood pressure treatments (antihypertensives) such as beta-blockers, alpha-blockers, diuretics
- narcotics
- barbiturates.

If non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs), such as indometacin, diclofenac or ibuprofen are taken with this medicine, they may oppose its blood pressure lowering effect, and may increase the risk of side effects on the kidneys.

Valsartan may increase the level of potassium in your blood. If this medicine is taken with other medicines that can increase blood potassium levels, this effect may be enhanced. Such medicines include the following:

- ciclosporin
- heparin
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, eg indometacin, diclofenac, ibuprofen
- potassium-sparing diuretics (eg spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride)
- potassium supplements
- potassium salts, eg potassium citrate
- potassium-containing salt substitutes such as Lo-Salt.

These are not usually recommended for use in combination with valsartan. If they are used in combination with valsartan, the amount of potassium in your blood should be monitored.

Valsartan may increase the blood level of the medicine lithium, and the combination should be used with caution. If it is necessary to take both ltihium and valsartan, your doctor should carefully monitor your blood level of lithium. You should let your doctor know if you experience any signs that your lithium level is increasing, for example, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting, blurred vision, muscle weakness, lack of co-ordination, drowsiness, tremor, unsteadiness, muscle twitching, ringing in the ears or confusion.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain valsartan as the sole active ingredient.

Co-diovan contains valsartan in combination with a diuretic medicine.

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