Can you cut diovan hct in half

Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine. In rare cases, valsartan may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. These are not all the side effects of valsartan. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. Valsartan is not normally recommended in pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

However, your doctor may prescribe it if they think the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks. If you're trying to get pregnant or you're already pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits and possible harms of taking valsartan. These will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are and the reason you need to take it. There may be other treatments that are safer for you.

Small amounts of valsartan may get into breast milk. This can cause low blood pressure in the baby. Talk to your doctor, as other medicines might be better while you are breastfeeding. There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with valsartan. For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Like other angiotensin receptor blockers, valsartan relaxes and widens your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Valsartan starts to work after about 4 to 6 hours to reduce high blood pressure but it may take 2 to 4 weeks for full effect. If you have high blood pressure , you may not have any symptoms. In this case, you may not feel any different when you take valsartan. This doesn't mean that the medicine isn't working - and it's important to keep taking it.

Valsartan is generally safe to take for a long time. In fact, it works best when you take it for a long time. However, taking valsartan for a long time can sometimes cause your kidneys not to work as well as they should. Your doctor will check how well your kidneys are working with regular blood tests. Stopping valsartan may cause your blood pressure to rise - and this can increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.

If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a different blood pressure-lowering medicine. Even if your blood pressure is successfully lowered by valsartan, it's best to carry on taking it. If you stop taking valsartan, your blood pressure could rise back up again. If you need blood pressure-lowering medicines, you'll probably need to take them for the rest of your life. Remember, by keeping your blood pressure low, you're protecting yourself against having a heart attack or stroke in the future.

Some samples contained traces of a chemical NDMA. NDMA may be linked to a very small increased risk of developing cancer. They have recalled any affected batches from the manufacturers while they investigate further. Drinking alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of valsartan, which can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. During the first few days of taking valsartan or after a dose increase, it is best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine affects you.

Do not use salt substitutes such as Lo-Salt. This is because they are high in potassium. When mixed with valsartan they may make the level of potassium in your blood too high. There is nothing else you need to avoid while taking valsartan. Eating well can help if you have high blood pressure.

There are several other angiotensin receptor blockers that work in the same way as valsartan. They include candesartan , irbesartan and losartan. Valsartan works as well as other angiotensin receptor blockers when it's used to lower blood pressure. The side effects are also similar.

Valsartan is different from some other angiotensin receptor blockers because it is also officially approved for patients who have had a recent heart attack.

For the treatment of heart failure, valsartan is usually taken twice a day. Other angiotensin receptor blockers used to treat heart failure are usually taken once a day.

Valsartan also works as well as ramipril and other angiotensin converting enzyme ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure, treat heart failure and prevent heart attacks. It can be used by people who have tried taking ramipril or other ACE inhibitors but had to stop taking them because of side effects such as a dry, irritating cough. If you're going to have a general anaesthetic be put to sleep for an operation, tell your doctor that you're taking valsartan. There's some evidence that valsartan might help prevent migraines.

However, valsartan is not officially approved for migraine. Your doctor would probably advise you to try other medicines first. There have been some studies that have looked at whether blood pressure medicines could help protect people against Alzheimer's disease.

However, at the moment, there is not enough evidence to recommend taking valsartan or other similar medicines for Alzheimer's. There are steps you can take that may reduce your risk of Alzheimer's.

If you are worried about getting Alzheimer's disease in the future or have a family history of this condition, speak to your doctor. Some brands of valsartan were discontinued in and For a short time, there was a problem getting valsartan.

Some people switched to other angiotensin receptor blockers to make sure there was no break in their blood pressure-lowering treatment. There are still some companies that make valsartan. Your doctor can prescribe it and your pharmacy should be able to order it for you. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking valsartan will reduce fertility in either men or women.

However, if you're a woman and you are trying to get pregnant, talk to your doctor first as this medicine is usually not recommended in pregnancy. However, some types of hormonal methods of contraception, such as the combined contraceptive pill and contraceptive patch , aren't usually recommended for women with high blood pressure. Valsartan can make some people feel dizzy - especially when you first start taking it or after taking a bigger dose. If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery.

You can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes. This will raise your chance of having a stroke or heart attack. Stopping it suddenly may cause your blood pressure to spike. This may increase your chance for a heart attack or stroke. You may have a higher chance of a heart attack or stroke. What to do if you miss a dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember.

If you take too much: You may experience some of the side effects of this drug. You might have the following symptoms:. How to tell this drug is working: Your blood pressure should be lower.

Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure at your checkups. You can also check your blood pressure at home. Keep a log with the date, time of day, and your blood pressure readings. Bring this diary with you to your doctor appointments. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled.

Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. You may need to check your blood pressure at home. To do this, you may need to buy a home blood pressure monitor.

These are available at most pharmacies. You should keep a log with the date, time of day, and your blood pressure readings. Ask your doctor if you need to make changes to your diet. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be more suitable for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication.

The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Lisinopril is an oral medication used to treat hypertension high blood pressure and heart failure. Learn about side effects, warnings, dosage, and…. Several factors can affect blood pressure readings, including eating, not eating, and diet. Learn what can affect them and how to take an accurate…. Blood pressure can be different in each arm.

While a slight difference can be fine, a greater difference may be a sign of a condition that needs…. It's known that Black Americans have higher rates of hypertension than other groups — but why? Learn the causes and ways to treat and prevent this…. High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptoms.

Many people have it for years without knowing it. Learn more. Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce high blood pressure and even lower your risk of hypertension in the future.

Learn how garlic and dark…. High blood pressure readings are different for adults, children, and pregnant women. Learn which levels constitute high blood pressure for these…. There may be safe options that are less expensive. Continue Learning about Antihypertensive What should I know before taking angiotensin receptor blockers?

Donna Hill Howes, RN. ARBs are not recommended for people with normal blood pressure and kidney function measures. An ARB What are antihypertensive medications? Antihypertensives are medications that lower blood pressure, reducing strain on, and damage to, the How effective are angiotensin receptor blockers for high blood pressure?