Name: Valsartan
Published: Nov 05, 2023

Valsartan

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Reviewed on Nov 05, 2023. by Dr Daniel Atkinson GP Clinical Lead Registered with GMC (No. 4624794) Next review due on November 06, 2026.

Last updated on Nov 05, 2023.

Product info

Valsartan is a capsule used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
It widens your blood vessels, which helps blood pump around your body easier.
The usual starting dose is one 80mg capsule a day.

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Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
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Valsartan: essential info
Valsartan: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Valsartan?

Valsartan is the generic version of Diovan, and it’s used to treat high blood pressure. Generic drugs are usually a bit cheaper than the brand names, but they have the same active ingredient and work in the same way.

Another difference is that Diovan is available as tablets, while its generic version Valsartan also comes as capsules. If you’re looking for an alternative to tablets, Valsartan capsules may be the right option for you. They usually work a little faster than tablets because they break down more quickly in your body. They also have higher bioavailability, meaning more of the drug gets into your bloodstream. And capsules don’t have an unpleasant taste or smell.

Valsartan belongs to a class of medicines known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists or blockers (ARBs), which control your blood pressure by helping your blood vessels relax.

Valsartan capsules can be used to treat various conditions like:

High blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. High blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, such as stroke, heart failure and kidney damage. So, if you sufffer from hypertension, it’s essential to lower your blood pressure in order to reduce the risk of these problems.
A recent heart attack (within 12 hours to 10 days) in adults.
Heart failure in adults. Valsartan is used when ACE inhibitors (another type of medication for high blood pressure) cannot be used, or as an additional treatment when other medications aren’t suitable for heart failure.^[1]

How does Valsartan work?

Valsartan belongs to a group of medicines called ARBs, which work by blocking the action of a hormone called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to narrow and stimulates the release of another hormone called aldosterone, which leads to salt and water retention.

By blocking the effects of angiotensin II, ARBs help relax and widen your blood vessels. This allows blood to flow more easily and helps to lower blood pressure levels.

ARBs have also been shown to have a protective effect on the heart by improving cardiac function, work by reducing the workload on the heart, increasing the amount of blood it pumps, and preventing the thickening of the heart muscle.^[2]

What doses of Valsartan are there?

Valsartan capsules come in three different strengths: 40mg, 80mg and 160mg. The 40mg capsules have a light grey cap and body with ‘M40’ imprinted on them. The 80mg capsules have a light grey cap and a flesh-coloured body and are imprinted with ‘M80’. And Valsartan 160mg capsules have a dark grey cap and a flesh-coloured body with ‘M160’ imprinted on them. Inside, they all contain a white to off-white granular powder.

Treated trusted sources:

www.medicines.org.uk. (n.d.). Valsartan 160 mg Capsules – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc). [online]
Akazawa, H., Yabumoto, C., Yano, M., Kudo-Sakamoto, Y. and Komuro, I. (2013). ARB and cardioprotection. Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy, 27(2), pp.155–160.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 06, 2023. Next review due on November 06, 2026.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Valsartan

You can take Valsartan with or without food, simply swallow it with a glass of water. Just try to take it around the same time every day to keep it consistent. If you tend to forget, set a reminder on your phone or use an alarm to help you remember to take your dose.

Your clinician will advise you to take Valsartan based on your condition and symptoms. Make sure to follow your doctor’s advice on how to take it, but the usual starting doses for Valsartan when used to treat high blood pressure are:

80mg valsartan once daily for adults and children and adolescents (6 to 18 years of age) weighing more than 35 kg
40mg valsartan once daily in children and adolescents (6 to 18 years of age) weighing less than 35 kg

In some cases your doctor may increase the dosage of Valsartan up to 160mg or to the maximum daily dose of 320mg. They may also combine Valsartan with an additional medicine (e.g. a diuretic like hydrochlorothiazide).

How long does it take Valsartan to work?

Once you start taking Valsartan, it usually kicks in within about 2 hours. But it may take around 2 to 4 weeks for it to fully do its job and get your blood pressure under control.^[1]

High blood pressure often doesn’t come with obvious symptoms. So, even if you don’t feel any different after taking Valsartan, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean the medication isn’t working. Just keep taking it as your clinician prescribed.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Valsartan?

If you accidentally take too many Valsartan tablets, contact your clinician or head to the nearest hospital for assistance. And if you start feeling really dizzy or faint, lie down and get in touch with your doctor or call 111 right away.

If you happen to forget a dose of Valsartan, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, just skip it. Don’t double your dose to make up for the pill you missed.

And one important thing to remember: never stop taking Valsartan unless your clinician tells you to. Stopping the medication suddenly can make your condition worse and cause your blood pressure to spike.

Treated trusted sources:

NHS (2022). Common questions about valsartan. [online] nhs.uk.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on November 06, 2023. Next review due on November 06, 2026.

How we source info.

FAQ: Valsartan

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How does Valsartan compare to other treatments for hypertension?

Answer:

Valsartan, irbesartan, telmisartan and other medications (ending in ‘sartan’) all belong to a class of drugs called ARBs and work in very similar ways. Valsartan was found to be similarly effective in reducing blood pressure as other ARBs like losartan ^[3] and candesartan ^[4]. Their side effects are also similar.

And valsartan is just as effective as other medications for high blood pressure like ramipril and other angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.^[2]

And if you've had to stop taking ACE inhibitors because of side effects like a bothersome cough, Valsartan can be a better option for you. It's commonly prescribed as an alternative treatment for people who couldn't tolerate ACE inhibitors.

Valsartan can be used in combination with other medications to create fixed-dose combinations for treating high blood pressure, which include:

Hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan, available as the brand-name drug Co-Diovan and as a generic medication.

Amlodipine and valsartan, available under the brand name Exforge and as a generic drug.

Can I take ibuprofen with valsartan?

Answer:

You shouldn’t take valsartan and NSAIDs like ibuprofen together unless it’s absolutely necessary. When you take valsartan along with NSAIDs, it can make valsartan less effective at lowering your blood pressure. And if you use them together for a long time, it can affect your kidneys. Which is why it's recommended to monitor kidney function and drink plenty of water during treatment with ARBs and NSAIDs.^[1] So, make sure to talk to your clinician before taking valsartan with ibuprofen.

Can you get side effects from Valsartan?

Answer:

Any medication, including Valsartan, has side effects. But don’t worry, not everyone gets them. Common side effects of Valsartan include dizziness, low blood pressure (which may cause dizziness and fainting when standing up) and decreased kidney function.

There are also some uncommon side effects, such as angioedema (swelling), sudden loss of consciousness, spinning sensation (vertigo), nausea, breathlessness, difficulty breathing when lying down, swelling of the feet or legs (signs of cardiac failure), headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, tiredness, weakness and cough.

Valsartan can also cause increased potassium levels. This is why you should avoid food that is high in potassium, potassium supplements and potassium-containing salt substitutes. Potassium rich foods you should avoid while on Valsartan include bananas, oranges, apricots, grapefruit, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, mushrooms, peas, zucchini, Noni juice and others. It’s important to ask your clinician about what foods you should avoid.

And watch out for signs of high potassium levels, such as muscle spasms and abnormal heart rhythms. If you experience these symptoms, it's important to tell your clinician.

Does Valsartan cause coughing?

Answer:

Valsartan works differently from ACE inhibitors, so it's less likely to cause coughing as a side effect. In clinical trials, fewer people experienced dry cough with valsartan compared to ACE inhibitors (2.6% compared to 7.9%, respectively).^[1]

For people who had a history of cough with ACE inhibitors, the incidence of cough was much lower for valsartan (19.5%) and than for lisinopril (68.9%), an ACE inhibitor.^[5]

Because they don't usually cause a cough, ARBs like valsartan tend to be prescribed as an alternative to ACE inhibitors.

Does Valsartan make you tired?

Answer:

Valsartan can make you feel tired or weak, but this doesn't happen to everyone. Tiredness and weakness are listed as uncommon side effects of Valsartan that may affect up to 1 in 100 people who take the medication. If you do experience these symptoms, let your clinician know. They can assess your situation and decide if any changes need to be made to your treatment.

Treated trusted sources:

www.medicines.org.uk. (n.d.). Valsartan 160 mg Capsules – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc). [online]
NHS (2022). Common questions about valsartan. [online] nhs.uk.
Elliott, W.J., Calhoun, D.A., DeLucca, P.T., Gazdick, L.P., Kerns, D.E. and Zeldin, R.K. (2001). Losartan versus valsartan in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension: data from a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, 12-week trial. Clinical Therapeutics, 23(8), pp.1166–1179.
Zimlichman, R. (2011). Differential clinical profile of candesartan compared to other angiotensin receptor blockers. Vascular Health and Risk Management, p.749.
Benz, J., Oshrain, C., Henry, D., Avery, C., Chiang, Y. T. and Gatlin, M. (1997). Valsartan, a New Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist: A Double-Blind Study Comparing the Incidence of Cough with Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 37(2), pp.101–107.