This document discusses the hypertension drug Diovan (valsartan). It begins by explaining that Diovan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure. It then compares Diovan to ACE inhibitors, noting that a main advantage of Diovan is that it does not cause cough like ACE inhibitors can. The document provides information on proper use of Diovan, including precautions, contraindications, dosing, and potential side effects like kidney failure or allergic reaction.

1. Diovan in treating
hypertension
Presented by:
Dr. Noha Hassan Abdullah

2. Outline:
• What is Diovan?
• ACEIs vs ARBs
• Tips Before taking this medicine
• Precaution & Contraindication
• Drug to be avoided
• Efficacy of Diovan
• Diovan dosing information
• Side Effects

3. What is Diovan?
• Diovan (valsartan) is an angiotensin II receptor
antagonist.
• Diovan is used to treat high blood
pressure(hypertension) in adults and children who are at
least 6 years old
• It is mainly used for treatment of high blood
pressure, congestive heart failure, and to increase
the chances of living longer after a heart attack
• Diovan is sometimes given together with other blood
pressure medications

4. ACEIs vs ARBs

5. ACEIs vs ARBs:
• ACEIs work by
stopping the change of a
natural substance in your
body called angiotensin I
to its evil twin
angiotensin II.
Angiotensin II is a
vasoconstrictor and
causes your blood
pressure to increase
which leads to high
blood pressure. Stopping
the change results in
blood vessel relaxation
and a decrease in blood
pressure
• ARBs also affect
angiotensin, but they
work by blocking
angiotensin II from
binding to the special
area on blood vessels
otherwise known as
receptors. In the end,
this also results in blood
vessel relaxation and a
decrease in blood
pressure.

6. What is an advantage of using
an ARB compared to an ACEI?
• ARBs DO NOT cause a cough, and are considered
alternatives to ACEIs if you’ve tried them and they did
not work for you due to the cough side effect.

7. Before taking Diovan:
-You should not use Diovan if you are allergic to valsartan.
-To make sure Diovan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
have:
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;
• a heart condition, other than one being treated with
valsartan;
• if you are on a low-salt-diet;
• if you are dehydrated; or
• if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any
blood pressure medication.

8. Precaution &
Contraindication:
• Do not use Diovan if you are pregnant.
• In rare cases, Diovan can cause a condition that
results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue,
leading to kidney failure

9. Other drugs to be avoided while using
Diovan such as …..
• If you have diabetes, do not use Diovan together with
any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide,
Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
• cyclosporine;
• a diuretic ;
• lithium;
• rifampin;
• ritonavir; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin,
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib,
diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

10. Efficacy of Diovan
• The graph shows that the plasma exposure were dose-
dependent.

11. Diovan dosing information
• What happens if I miss a dose?
-Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the
missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do
not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
• What should I avoid while taking Diovan?
-Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and
may increase certain side effects of Diovan.
-Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while
you are taking Diovan, unless your doctor has told you to.
-Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you
may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a
fall.

12. Side Effects
• Signs of an allergic reaction to Diovan: hives; difficulty
breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• kidney failure
• Little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain
• Weakness, confusion, increased thirst, loss of appetite,
vomiting
• Flu symptoms

13. References
• https://www.drugs.com/diovan.html
• https://www.rxlist.com/diovan-drug.htm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valsartan
• https://www.goodrx.com/blog/ace-inhibitors-vs-arbs-
whats-the-difference/
• https://www.researchgate.net/figure/ValsartanR-plasma-
exposure-for-the-three-doses_fig11_51591745