Blood pressure is generally considered as the pressure of blood that pushes against arteries walls. In comparison to normal, when blood pressure surpasses 140/90, then it is considered as high blood pressure.
It can happen due to choices of unhealthy lifestyle and certain health-related conditions.
High blood pressure is directly linked to a serious risk of health-related problems. Among the most prescribed meds for blood pressure and other illness, Cozaar and Diovan are two of them.
In this article, the main focus is on differentiating Cozaar and Diovan.
Key Takeaways
- Cozaar contains the active ingredient losartan, whereas Diovan contains valsartan.
- Both medications belong to the angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) class and treat hypertension.
- Cozaar and Diovan have different chemical structures, which may cause different side effects or drug interactions.
Cozaar vs Diovan
Cozaar is the brand name for losartan and has also been associated with an increased risk of cancer. Diovan is the brand name for valsartan and is also approved for the treatment of heart failure and to reduce the risk of death or hospitalization in patients who have had a heart attack.
Cozaar is also popularly known as Losartan. As the body adjusts to the Cozaar, lightheadedness or dizziness can be experienced, and while rising from a lying or sitting position to prevent lightheadedness or dizziness, get up slowly.
It is broken down or metabolized into another active substance that generally has an approximate half-life of 9 to 6 hours.
Diovan is also popularly known as valsartan. With a half-life of six hours, Diovan in the liver is primarily broken down. Up to 24 hours Diovan effects can last.
Depending on the conditions which are being treated, the dosing strength varies.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cozaar | Diovan |
|---|---|---|
| Generic name | Losartan | Valsartan |
| Prescribed for | Hypertension, stroke risk, and diabetic nephropathy. | Cardiovascular mortality after a heart attack, heart failure as well as hypertension. |
| Strengths | 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg | 40 mg, 80 mg, 160 mg, and 320 mg |
| Interactions | With blood pressure medications, celecoxib, lithium, and diuretics (water pills). | With aspirin, rifampin, cyclosporine, and ritonavir. |
| FDA approved | In 1995 | In 1996 |
What is Cozaar?
The chief function of the Cozaar is to lower blood pressure and give protection to the kidneys. There are many other illnesses, like ventricular enlargement, that can be treated.
It is required for up to six weeks for the occurrence of its full effects.
Cozaar might be used in addition to other medication related to blood pressure as well as alone. It is in the medication family of angiotensin receptor blockers and generally works by angiotensin II blocking.
On the list of essential medicine of WHO, Cozaar is mentioned.
It fails to combine with sacubitril, which is an inhibitor of neprilysin. 1986 Cozaar was patented, and in the United States for medical usage, Cozaar was approved in 1995.
Cozaar was the ninth medication that was most commonly prescribed, with prescriptions of more than 51 million in the US in 2019.
The Food and Drug Administration, a black box warning was issued in October 2014 in the US that Cozaar can lead to fetal toxicity, and as soon as pregnancy is detected, Cozaar should be discontinued.
It could result in fetal injury as well as death.
What is Diovan?
Diovan is a reasonable initial treatment for blood pressure generally high. In 1990 Diovan was patented, and in 1996 it came into the usage of medication.
Diovan was the 154th medication, which is most prescribed in the United States in 2019, with more than four million prescriptions.
The Diovan packaging consists of a warning which states the drug not be used with the aliskiren or renin inhibitor in people with general diabetes. With kidney disease suffering, people should not consume Diovan.
When it comes to excretion, the kidney excretes 30%, whereas through the bile duct, 70%.
Diovan is generally combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or amlodipine, or both into formulations of a single pill for the treatment of hypertension with drugs in multiple numbers.
Diovan is a reasonable initial treatment for high blood pressure, as are thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
Type 2 diabetes people as well as high blood pressure or urine albumin, Diovan is used to slow the development and worsening of kidney disease at the end-stage.
Diovan treatment’s clinical trials for hypertension versus placebo demonstrate effects like a viral infection.
Main Differences Between Cozaar and Diovan
- The possible side effects of Cozaar are insomnia, urinary tract infections, muscle cramps, and chest pain. On the other hand, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea are common side effects of Diovan.
- For adults, Cozaar’s starting dose is 25 to 50 mg daily, and 100 mg daily is the maximum dose in which can be divided into two doses daily. In contrast, 320 mg daily is the maximum dose of Diovan for adults 80 to 160 mg daily with high blood pressure.
- When it comes to sacubitril, it is generally a neprilysin inhibitor. With the combination of sacubitril, Cozaar is not available. On the contrary, Diovan is accessible in combination with sacubitril and is called entresto.
- In terms of effectiveness, Cozaar is always prescribed first and if it fails to make any difference, then Diovan will be prescribed next. So, Diovan is more effective in comparison to Cozaar based on shared reviews and some studies of patients.
- Tell Dr if effects like pale skin, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath are seen after taking Cozaar. On the flip side, if weight loss, palpation, and swelling of the skin effects occur after taking Diovan, then it is an emergency.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0731708597002513
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1586/14779072.1.3.335
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
