Diovan HCT is a tablet taken by mouth once daily. It contains two blood pressure medicines: valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
You can take Diovan HCT with or without food. Try to take your tablet at about the same time every day so it becomes part of your regular routine.
Swallow the tablet with water and follow the exact dose prescribed by your healthcare provider.
What Time of Day Should You Take Diovan HCT?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, sometimes called a water pill. It helps your kidneys remove extra salt and water, so you may need to urinate more often after taking your dose.
For this reason, many people prefer to take Diovan HCT in the morning or earlier in the day.
If the medicine makes you urinate frequently, avoid taking it close to bedtime. Taking it at least several hours before going to sleep may reduce nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Take Diovan HCT Regularly
Take Diovan HCT every day, even if you feel well.
High blood pressure often causes no noticeable symptoms, so feeling normal does not necessarily mean that your blood pressure is within a healthy range.
Taking your medication consistently helps keep your blood pressure controlled throughout the day.
How Is Your Dose Determined?
Your healthcare provider will choose your Diovan HCT dose based on factors such as:
- Your current blood pressure
- How well previous blood pressure medicines have worked
- Your response to Diovan HCT
- Your kidney function
- Other medicines you take
- Any side effects you experience
The dose may be adjusted over time until your blood pressure reaches the recommended range.
Usual Starting Dose
For people starting Diovan HCT as combination therapy, a common starting dose is 160 mg of valsartan with 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide once daily.
However, Diovan HCT is available in several strengths, and not everyone starts with the same one. Your healthcare provider will choose the strength that best matches your treatment needs.
Increasing the Dose
If your blood pressure remains too high, your healthcare provider may increase the dose.
For initial combination therapy, the dose may be increased after about 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your blood pressure response. The maximum recommended dose is generally 320 mg of valsartan with 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide once daily.
Do not increase the dose on your own, even if your home blood pressure readings remain high.
How Long Does Diovan HCT Take to Work?
Your blood pressure may begin to decrease after treatment starts, but the full effect is not immediate.
Maximum blood pressure-lowering effects are generally reached within about 2 to 4 weeks after a dose change.
Continue taking the medicine as prescribed while your healthcare provider monitors your response.
Taking Diovan HCT With Cholesterol Medicines
Certain cholesterol-lowering medicines called bile acid sequestrants, including cholestyramine and colestipol, can reduce the absorption of hydrochlorothiazide.
If you take one of these medicines, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend separating it from Diovan HCT by several hours.
Ask your pharmacist to help you plan your medication schedule if you take several medicines each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take Diovan HCT, take the missed dose when you remember.
If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal schedule.
Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
Monitor Your Blood Pressure
Your healthcare provider may ask you to check your blood pressure at home while taking Diovan HCT.
Keeping a record of your readings can help show whether the medication is working and whether your dose needs to be adjusted.
Contact your healthcare provider if your readings remain consistently higher than your target range or become unusually low.
Blood Tests May Be Needed
Diovan HCT can affect your kidneys, fluid balance, and electrolytes, including potassium and sodium.
Your healthcare provider may order blood tests during treatment, especially after starting the medicine or changing your dose.
Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe dizziness, unusual weakness, muscle cramps, extreme thirst, fainting, or major changes in urination.
Do Not Stop Diovan HCT on Your Own
Continue taking Diovan HCT until your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
Stopping your medication may cause your blood pressure to rise again, even if you feel completely well.
If you experience side effects or think the medication is not working, talk to your healthcare provider rather than changing or stopping the dose yourself.
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