Diovan and fda

Well, I've had some hair loss on Diovan 80mg. been on it since about May 08 - had some leg cramps, even some joint pain, but that seems to have reconciled itself. Not too overly dizzy, some tiredness, but ok otherwise. However, got concerned about the hair loss....long/short, Dr. prescribed Toprol XL/Beta Blocker (he's been great recognizing my sensitivity to meds. I just am),...well, my God, just reading the Toprol printout first paragraph and let me tell you it ain't gonna happen, I am not taking that stuff....plus, it causes hair loss, DUH! In fairness, how can we expect the Drs. to know fully all the side affects, they are not pharmacists - best thing, educate yourself first with websites like this, and the FDA site before you ever fill a prescription again. Anyway, I'm going to stick with Diovan for a while longer and see how things go - will post again. Hang in there, because there's even worse out there!

Depression, foot pain, joint pain, bloating, feeling like I have to have a bowel movement all the time which led to severe hemorrhoids and severe rectal bleeding. Thought I had colon cancer till I underwent colonoscopy and Dr. ruled that out. Severe fatigue, insomnia, blurred vision. I guess you could say if there is a side effect I have it, even my teeth feel sensitive and I have been to the Dentist several times this year and have very good teeth. I'll be getting off this and calling Medwatch to report my side effects, I recommend that everyone else with side effects do the same. They can be reached at www.fda.gov/medwatch

I just started taking Diovan (one dose) after taking another blood pressure medication which had horrible side effects. I feel fine, except for extremely painful soles of my feet. In fact it's so painful, I can't stand or walk on them. I couldn't figure out what was going on, but after reading all of the posts, I now know. It was my first and last dosage of Diovan, Thank you.

I have been on Diovan (320 mgms) for two years. It has reduced my blood pressure moderately but not nearly enough. Then I heard about the benefits of garlic in controling blood pressure. For the past year I have been taking Kyolic garlic powder in capsule form (use the cardiovascular formulation), two capsules with each meal every day. No odor from this formulation and garlic is good for your overall health with no side effects I am aware of. Got my blood pressure down to 111/ 50. Doctors will not recommend garlic because it has not been cleared by the FDA. Also, how can the pharmaceutical companies continue to get rich if we all take garlic?? I bought my Kyolic at Vitamin Cottage but I suppose it is available in other vitamin stores too.

Have been Diovan for a month now and am experiencing dry eye and breast tenderness. Does anyone else have these problems?