Avapro vs. Diovan

• Are Avapro and Diovan the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Avapro?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Diovan?
• What Is Avapro?
• What Is Diovan?
• What Drugs Interact with Avapro?
• What Drugs Interact with Diovan?
• How Should Avapro Be Taken?
• How Should Diovan Be Taken?

Avapro (irbesartan) and Diovan (valsartan) are angiotensin II receptor antagonists used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Avapro is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diovan is also used for heart failure, and post heart attack.

Common side effects of Avapro include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness, or
• upset stomach as your body adjusts to the medication, as well as
• diarrhea,
• heartburn, or
• tiredness.

Common side effects of Diovan include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• tiredness,
• flu symptoms,
• upper respiratory infection,
• diarrhea,
• cold symptoms (cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat),
• sinusitis,
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• swelling,
• blurred vision,
• itching or skin rash,
• back pain, and
• joint pain.

Serious side effects of Diovan include:

• chest pain,
• fainting,
• palpitations,
• shortness of breath,
• weight loss,
• vomiting, and
• swelling of the skin, most often around the lips and eyes.

Avapro (irbesartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Avapro is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. Avapro is also used to treat kidney problems caused by type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Diovan (valsartan) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used for the control of hypertension, heart failure, and post heart attack. Diovan is available as a generic.

Avapro may interact with diuretics (water pills) or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Diovan may interact with diuretics (water pills) and or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Diovan may also interact with rifampin, ritonavir, or cyclosporine.

To treat hypertension the recommended starting dose of Avapro is 150 mg once daily. Patients requiring further reduction in blood pressure should be adjusted to 300 mg once daily. To treat nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients, the recommended target maintenance dose is 300 mg once daily. Avapro may interact with diuretics (water pills), digoxin, or blood thinners. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Avapro is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to the fetus. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Diovan is available as tablets for oral administration in strengths of 40, 80, 160 or 320 mg of valsartan. Usual beginning dose is a total of 80 mg per day, but this may vary. For children with pediatric hypertension (ages 6–16), the dose is weight based at 1.3 mg per Kg weight not to exceed 40 mg per day. Diovan is not recommended for children under the age of 6 or in children with certain renal problems. Diovan may interact with cyclosporine, diuretics (water pills), rifampin, ritonavir, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Diovan is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may cause injury or death to a fetus when the medicine is taken during the second or third trimester. Talk to your doctor about use of birth control while taking Diovan. It is unknown if Diovan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Diovan is not recommended.