General Information

Diovan has been approved as the newest entry to a novel class of antihypertensive drugs, the angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Diovan is indicated for the first-line treatment of hypertension. It offers blood pressure control comparable to current leading antihypertensive therapies (lisinopril and enalapril) and an outstanding side-effect profile.

Diovan is a first-line therapy, which has a recommended starting dose of 80 mg once daily and will be available by prescription in capsule form.

As with other drugs that work in the renin-angiotensin system, Diovan therapy should be discontinued as soon as pregnancy is detected.

Mechanism of Action

Diovan works by selectively blocking the angiotensin II hormone from binding to the AT1-receptor, located in many different tissues such as vascular smooth muscle. The blocking of angiotensin II results in dilation of blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure.