Micardis vs. Diovan

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

Diovan (valsartan) and Micardis (telmisartan) are angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), and to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Common side effects of Micardis include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• blurred vision, or
• back pain as your body adjusts to the medication.
• Other side effects of Micardis include stuffy nose,
• sinus pain,
• cough,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• tired feeling,
• weakness, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Micardis including:

• fainting,
• unusual change in the amount of urine, or
• symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat).

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.

Micardis (telmisartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Micardis is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

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.

Micardis may interact with diuretics (water pills), or digoxin. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

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.

Dosage of Micardis is individualized. The usual starting dose is 40 mg once a day.

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.