Valsartan

Valsartan is a type of blood pressure drug called an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Other medications in the valsartan drug class include irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), and candesartan (Atacand).

Novartis manufactured the first brand-name valsartan drug, Diovan, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1996. Novartis lost its patent in 2012, and generic manufacturers began producing and distributing the drug.

Some brand names of valsartan include Diovan, Entresto, Exforge and Byvalson.

Doctors prescribe valsartan to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. The medication may also improve the chance of living longer when prescribed to patients who have problems with the heart’s left ventricle following a heart attack.

The FDA announced a recall of several drug products containing valsartan in July 2018 because it found a cancer-causing chemical called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in some batches. As of 2022, people who took the tainted drugs are filing valsartan lawsuits.

Valsartan blocks the angiotensin II receptor. Angiotensin II is a hormone produced in the body that can cause blood vessels to narrow, raising blood pressure.

By blocking the angiotensin II receptor, the drug keeps blood vessels from narrowing. This lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Researchers tested the drug’s effectiveness in seven placebo controlled clinical trials that lasted four to 12 weeks. Patients took dosages from 10 mg to 320 mg per day. Their diastolic pressure at the start of the trials ranged from 95 mmHg to 115 mmHg.

The studies found valsartan starts to lower blood pressure in about two hours and reaches its maximum effectiveness in six hours. The effects last for 24 hours, though it becomes less effective throughout the day at lower doses.

Valsartan vs Losartan and Lisinopril

A study published in Clinical Therapeutics in 2001 found valsartan and losartan were similarly effective in reducing blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Losartan was also associated with a decrease in serum uric acid levels. Valsartan did not decrease those levels. High levels of uric acid are associated with gout.

A different study published in Clinical Therapeutics in 2004 found both valsartan and lisinopril were highly effective in controlling blood pressure in patients with mild to severe hypertension. But valsartan was associated with a considerably lower risk for adverse events, especially cough.

Take valsartan at the dose and for the duration directed by your doctor. Take the drug at the same time each day with or without food. Store the drug at room temperature, and keep it away from heat and moisture.

Patients should take missed doses as soon as they remember. If it’s close to the next dose, just take the one dose. Do not take extra valsartan to offset a missed dose.

In case of a valsartan overdose, seek immediate, emergency medical help, or call the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Possible symptoms of an overdose include fast or slow heartbeat. People who overdose on valsartan may feel dizzy or like they might pass out.

Recommended Dose Depends on Diagnosis

Valsartan comes in four dose strengths: 40 mg 80 mg, 160 mg and 320 mg. Doctors will prescribe the appropriate strength depending on the patient’s age and diagnosis.

According to the valsartan medication insert, the most common side effects for people taking the drug to treat hypertension include headache, dizziness, fatigue, flu symptoms and abdominal pain.

For people taking the drug for heart failure, common side effects include dizziness, low blood pressure, diarrhea, joint and back pain, tiredness and high blood potassium.

People who took the drug after a heart attack stopped taking the drug because they experienced low blood pressure, decreased kidney function or a rash.

Black Box Warning

The drug’s label includes a black box warning for fetal toxicity. It indicates pregnant women should not use valsartan. The drug can cause injury or death to the developing fetus. If women become pregnant, they should stop taking the medication as soon as possible.

Precautions

The American College of Cardiology says before taking valsartan, patients should tell their doctor if they have kidney, liver or heart disease, or if they are dehydrated.

Patients who start treatment because of heart failure or after a heart attack may experience a reduction in blood pressure, but it’s usually not necessary to stop treatment because of continued low blood pressure so long as the dosing instructions are followed. Health care professionals may treat excessive hypotension with an infusion of saline.

Drugs like valsartan may cause changes in kidney function or cause acute renal failure. Patients with conditions such as chronic kidney disease or severe congestive heart failure are at increased risk for kidney failure while on the drug. Doctors should monitor kidney function and may stop therapy if kidney function becomes impaired.

Drug Interactions

Valsartan interacts with a number of drugs. Patients should tell their doctor about any prescriptions, over-the-counter-medications and supplements they’re taking. These include potassium supplements, salt substitutes, lithium and drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS.

Drugs that may interact with valsartan include:

• Certain diuretics
• Ritonavir
• Cyclosporine
• Rifampin
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin or meloxicam

In 2018, the FDA warned that manufacturers found unacceptable amounts of the chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in some batches of valsartan. The toxic chemical may have been present in the drugs for as long as four years.

Several companies recalled batches of valsartan because of contamination with the suspected cancer-causing chemical. Unacceptable amounts of N-Nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA), N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and NDMA were also found in other drug products containing losartan and irbesartan, which resulted in more recalls.