hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan

Brand name(s):

hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan, Diovan HCT

What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or valsartan, or if you are unable to urinate. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Valsartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Before using hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, kidney or liver disease, asthma, low or high blood levels of potassium, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

What is hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Valsartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure improves blood flow.

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or valsartan (Diovan), or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease;
liver disease;
congestive heart failure;
asthma or allergies;
low or high levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood;
gout;
lupus;
diabetes; or
an allergy to sulfa drugs.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Valsartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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