Diovan Precautions and Warnings (Cont.)

• There are a couple of medicines that Diovan can interact with (see Diovan Interactions).
   
• Diovan may cause extremely low blood pressure in some people. Extremely low blood pressure is more likely to happen in people who are taking a diuretic, who are on dialysis, who have diarrhea or vomiting, who have excessive sweating, who have congestive heart failure, or who have recently had a heart attack. This is why it is important to drink fluids regularly while taking Diovan. If you have any possible symptoms of extremely low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, contact your healthcare provider. If you have fainted, stop taking Diovan until you have talked to your healthcare provider.
   

Also, make sure not to drive, operate any heavy machinery, or perform any other tasks that require alertness before you know how Diovan affects you.

• Diovan is a pregnancy Category C medicine for the first trimester and a pregnancy Category D medicine for the second and third trimesters, meaning that Diovan has health risks to your unborn child. Prior to taking Diovan, let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Diovan, contact your healthcare provider immediately (see Diovan and Pregnancy for more information).
   
• While taking Diovan, do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes with potassium unless you have discussed this with your doctor. This is because in some people taking Diovan, potassium in the blood can increase to dangerous levels.
   
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers, including Diovan, have been known to cause a decrease in kidney function, especially in certain groups such as those with severe congestive heart failure. Let your healthcare provider know if you have symptoms such as a decrease in urine output, drowsiness, headache, or back pain. Your healthcare provider will also regularly check your kidney function with a blood test.
   
• It is not known whether or not Diovan passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are nursing and taking Diovan, talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should stop taking Diovan or stop breastfeeding.