Norvasc vs. Diovan

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

Norvasc (amlodipine) and Diovan (valsartan) are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Norvasc is also prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina.

Diovan is also used to treat heart failure, and given in post heart attack care.

Norvasc and Diovan belong to different drug classes. Norvasc is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and Diovan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Common side effects of Norvasc include:

• headache,
• swelling (edema) of the ankles or feet,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• nausea,
• abdominal or stomach pain, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

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.

Norvasc (amlodipine) is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina, and for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Diovan is a prescription medicine called an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It is used in adults to:

• lower high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children, 6 to 16 years of age.
• treat heart failure in adults. In these patients, Diovan may lower the need for hospitalization that happens from heart failure.
• improve the chance of living longer after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) in adults.

Diovan is not for children under 6 years of age or children with certain kidney problems.

Norvasc may interact with other blood pressure medications.

Norvasc may also interact with simvastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, diltiazem, and cyclosporine, or other heart medications.

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

The usual initial antihypertensive oral dose of Norvasc is 5 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is 10 mg once daily. Norvasc dosages may need to be lowered in patients with liver dysfunction.

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.