Why is this drug prescribed?

Diovan tablets and capsules contain the active ingredient valsartan, which is a type of drug called an angiotensin II antagonist. Valsartan works by blocking receptors in the body known as angiotensin II receptors. This prevents the action of a hormone called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is involved in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. It has two main actions. It causes the blood vessels to narrow and the kidneys to retain salt and water. Valsartan blocks the receptors that angiotensin II acts on, and so prevents its actions. The main result of this is that the peripheral blood vessels are allowed to widen, which means that there is more space and less resistance in these blood vessels. This is the main mechanism by which the pressure in the blood vessels is lowered. Blocking the actions of angiotensin II also increases the amount of fluid removed from the blood by the kidneys. This decreases the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, which also lessens the resistance and pressure in the blood vessels. The combined effect of these changes is to lower the blood pressure, hence valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure. The reduced pressure within the blood vessels also means that the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump the blood around the body. For this reason, valsartan may be prescribed to people who have had a heart attack. Sometimes a heart attack can damage a chamber of the heart known as the left ventricle. This damage means that the heart doesn't pump as effectively as it should. Valsartan reduces the workload of the heart and has been shown to improve survival in people who have this problem following a heart attack.

Treatments

* High blood pressure. * Improving survival in people with a poorly functioning heart as result of a heart attack.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Dizziness * Fatigue * Increased level of potassium in the blood * Decrease in the number of a type of white blood cell in the blood * Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood * Decreased kidney function * Fainting * Diarrhoea * Pain in the muscles and joints * Headache * Temporary taste disturbance * Disturbances of liver function * Cough * Nosebleeds