Diovan (valsartan) is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and congestive heart failure. It is also sometimes prescribed after a heart attack. The medication widens and relaxes blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and reduces the heart's workload. Diovan can be used in patients 6 years old and up.

Note that there are some similar products that should not be confused with Diovan:

• Co-Diovan contains valsartan like Diovan, but also contains hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. This medication is often prescribed when blood pressure is not sufficiently lowered with Diovan alone.
• Exforge also contains valsartan, as well as amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker that also relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. This medication should generally not be used in heart failure.

Also note that patients have the option to buy Diovan in several formulations:

• Capsules contain medication inside a gelatin case. These can be opened and contents sprinkled on moist foods.
• Film-coated tablets should be swallowed whole.
• Splittable tablets can be split in half to achieve smaller doses or smaller pieces to swallow. They should not be crushed or dissolved in food or drink.
• Oral solution contains the medication pre-mixed in a fluid, ideal for those who are unable or unwilling to swallow tablets.

The above products are interchangeable mg for mg; a 40 mg tablet will provide the same benefit as a 40 mg capsule and so forth. The decision to buy Diovan in a particular form is up to personal preference, though there are some price differences between them as well. Likewise patients have the option to buy Diovan as a less-costly generic.

Using Diovan for Hypertension

The majority of patients buy Diovan to manage high blood pressure. It is very common for more than one hypertension treatment to be needed to lower blood pressure to desirable ranges, and it's very common for these medications to be taken long-term, perhaps for the remainder of life if the underlying cause of the hypertension cannot be resolved.

In otherwise healthy adults:

• Treatment usually starts with 80 mg taken once per day.
• Dosage may be increased in increments of 40 to 80 mg every one to two weeks if needed.
• The maximum daily dose is 320 mg, taken once per day.
• In most cases adding an additional hypertension treatment, such as a diuretic, provides more benefit than increasing Diovan dosage past 80 or 160 mg per day.

Patients who are very young or who have other major medical conditions present will likely need adjusted, lower doses.

Using Diovan for Congestive Heart Failure

In congestive heart failure Diovan provides benefit by reducing strain on the heart. In this application, assuming no other major medical conditions are present, the highest possible dose is typically preferred:

• Treatment usually starts with 80 mg per day, divided into two 40 mg doses taken morning and evening.
• Dosage may be increased after one to two weeks to 160 mg per day, taken in two 80 mg doses.
• For heart failure the ideal dose is 320 mg per day, divided into two 160 mg doses.
• Not all patients will be able to tolerate 320 mg doses without side effects; in these cases the highest tolerated dose is desirable.
• Do not exceed 320 mg per day.

Other medical conditions and other medications being taken may also influence the highest recommended dose; regular doctor checkups to evaluate Diovan's effects and to monitor for developing complications are strongly recommended.

Diovan after a Heart Attack

Treatment may start as soon as 12 hours following a heart attack. As with heart failure, the medication reduces strain on the heart. Dosage and duration of treatment will depend on a number of individual variables. In general:

• Treatment usually starts with 40 mg per day, divided into two 20 mg doses.
• Dosage may be increased weekly up to 320 mg per day, divided into two 160 mg doses.

It is very likely other medications will also be prescribed, and a doctor will need to take these into account when determining the ideal dosage of Diovan.

When It Comes To Health We Deliver

You can order with confidence from New Zealand's oldest and most-trusted online pharmacy. Backed by a network of real-world pharmacies, we are subject to the same regulatory oversight as our brick & mortar counterparts to ensure you receive authentic, safe medications. Most orders are processed within 24 hours and our professional staff are always standing by to help if you need us.

Clients will need a prescription to buy Diovan; if you don't have one, our online doctor may be able to issue one. To find out if you qualify, simply add the product to your cart and begin checkout; you'll be presented with some questions about your medical history and other medications being taken.

Clients who already have a prescription to buy Diovan will be provided with instructions to get it to us upon completing checkout.