DIOVAN IS THE ONLY ARB

indicated both to reduce risk of HF hospitalization in HF patients and to improve patients’ chances of living longer after a heart attack1

Chart: FDA-approved indications for ARBs

  • Moving a patient from DIOVAN to another ARB might not provide clinical results similar to what you’ve seen with DIOVAN

DIOVAN LEADS ALL OTHER ARBs

in national Tier 2 coverage8

Chart: National Tier 2 Coverage

*Percentage of patients in plans with formulary coverage (ie, “lives covered in managed care plans”).

HELPING YOUR PATIENTS REMEMBER
TO TAKE THEIR MEDICINE

  • More than 700,000 patients are enrolled in patient support programs sponsored by Novartis9

  • More than 60% of retail pharmacies participate in these programs9

ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB, angiotensin receptor blocker; CV, cardiovascular; HF, heart failure; HTN, hypertension; LVD, left ventricular dysfunction; LVF, left ventricular failure; LVH, left ventricular hypertrophy; NYHA, New York Heart Association.

INDICATIONS

DIOVAN is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

In heart failure (HF), DIOVAN is indicated in NYHA class II-IV patients. In a controlled clinical trial, DIOVAN significantly reduced hospitalizations for HF. There is no evidence that DIOVAN provides added benefits when used with an adequate dose of an ACEI.

In clinically stable patients with left ventricular failure or left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction (MI), DIOVAN is indicated to reduce cardiovascular mortality.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: USE IN PREGNANCY
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue DIOVAN as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. [See WARNINGS and Precautions: Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality (5.1) in full Prescribing Information]

Excessive hypotension was seen in patients treated with DIOVAN. Volume- and/or salt-depletion should be corrected before administering DIOVAN or symptomatic hypotension may occur. Caution should be observed when initiating DIOVAN in patients with heart failure or recent myocardial infarction, and in patients undergoing surgery or dialysis.

DIOVAN should be used with caution in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, including patients with biliary obstructive disorders, because of lower valsartan clearance.

There has been no long-term use of valsartan in patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, but an effect similar to that seen with ACE inhibitors (increases in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen) should be anticipated with DIOVAN.

Caution should be exercised when dosing DIOVAN in patients with renal artery stenosis or severe heart failure. As a consequence of inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system, changes in renal function may be observed. In patients with severe heart failure, decline in renal function and, rarely, acute renal failure and/or death has been associated with inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system. Monitor these patients for worsening of renal function, including fluid status and electrolytes.

Evaluation of patients with heart failure or post–myocardial infarction should always include assessment of renal function. Dosage reduction and/or discontinuation of the diuretic and/or valsartan may be required.

Concomitant use of valsartan with drugs that increase potassium (eg, potassium-sparing diuretics) or salt substitutes containing potassium may lead to increased serum potassium and in heart failure patients to increases in serum creatinine.

Monitor renal function periodically in patients receiving valsartan and NSAIDs who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretics), or who have compromised renal function due to potential reversible deterioration of renal function, including acute renal failure.

The most common adverse reactions that occurred more frequently with DIOVAN than placebo in hypertension patients were viral infection (3% vs 2%), fatigue (2% vs 1%), and abdominal pain (2% vs 1%).

The most common adverse reactions seen in HF patients were dizziness, hypotension, and diarrhea.
In post-MI patients the most common adverse reactions resulting in drug discontinuation were hypotension, cough, increased serum creatinine, and rash.