Diovan HCT is a medication used to manage high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It is a combination of the drugs hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan. Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of drugs called thiazide diuretics and acts as a water pill to balance the salt and fluid in your body, according to Drugs.com. Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and it prevents your blood vessels from tightening, subsequently maintaining adequate blood flow throughout your body. Diovan HCT is available as a tablet and is taken daily to help control your blood pressure. Like any drug, Diovan HCT can have side effects in some people who use it.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, Diovan HCT can routinely cause pain in your stomach and back, diarrhea, headache and a skin rash. It can also cause dizziness, fatigue, a dry cough and sore throat. Fortunately, these symptoms are benign and should not cause panic. However, tell your doctor if these side effects persist for approximately three days. She may decide to lower your Diovan HCT dosage.
Hazardous Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine warns that Diovan HCT can cause changes in your heartbeat. It can cause palpitations (a pounding heartbeat), tachycardia (fast heartbeat), vertigo, dry mouth, vomiting and chest pain. The drug also can cause weakness, swelling of your arms or legs, fever and muscle pain. Diovan HCT can increase your risk for such infections as bronchitis, the flu, gastroenteritis, sinusitus, and a urinary tract infection. Other hazardous side effects include frequent urination and low blood pressure. Get medical help to reverse these symptoms. Your doctor may change your dosage or discontinue Diovan HCT.
Other Side Effects
Drugs.com says that Diovan HCT can break down your skeletal muscle. Your skeletal muscle contains myoglobin (a substance responsible for oxygenating your muscle tissues) and it releases it during breakdown, which can cause kidney damage. Symptoms of this skeletal muscle breakdown include muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dark-colored urine and fever.
Miscellaneous Concerns
You should not use Diovan HCT if you are allergic to diovan or hydrochlorothiazide. The mixture can lead to potentially fatal consequences such as difficulty breathing, swelling of your throat, lips and tongue.
Avoid Diovan HCT if you are pregnant. Drugs.com says that this medication can harm your baby within the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Specifically, it can cause skull hypoplasia (small skull), kidney failure and even death, says the National Library of Medicine.
You should not drink alcohol with Diovan HCT, as this can lead to severe low blood pressure and cause the aforementioned side effects.
Do not take potassium supplements with this medication, as it can potentiate skeletal muscle breakdown and subsequent, kidney failure.
You should avoid hydrochlorothiazide if you suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune condition in which your body attacks itself. The hydrochlorothiazide component of Diovan HCT can worsen or trigger your SLE, says the National Library of Medicine.
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