Valsartan oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes valsartan oral tablet’s dosages, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for valsartan.

Valsartan oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Diovan. Valsartan also comes in an oral liquid solution, as well as an oral liquid suspension prepared by a pharmacist. But these aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

If you want to know more about valsartan oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Valsartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information.

Form and strengths of valsartan

Valsartan oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths:
  • 40 milligrams (mg)
  • 80 mg
  • 160 mg
  • 320 mg

Dosage of valsartan

This article describes the recommended dosages* for valsartan oral tablet.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of valsartan oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages. If your doctor prescribes valsartan, be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you.

Usual recommended dosages of valsartan in adults

Valsartan oral tablet is approved for use in adults to:

• treat hypertension (high blood pressure)*
• treat specific types of heart failure†
• decrease the risk of death after a heart attack in certain situations‡

* Doctors prescribe valsartan to lower blood pressure, which decreases the risk of fatal and nonfatal heart-related events. These include primary stroke and heart attack.
† Doctors prescribe valsartan oral tablet to reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure in certain adults. Specifically, these adults have New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II to IV heart failure. NYHA classifies heart failure based on severity of symptoms.
‡ Doctors prescribe valsartan oral tablet to reduce the risk of heart-related death in certain clinically stable adults. Specifically, these adults have failure or impaired function of the heart’s left ventricle after a heart attack.

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of valsartan oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of valsartan oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

The table below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed when valsartan is taken alone. Dosages are in milligrams (mg). In some cases, your doctor may prescribe valsartan together with another medication to treat your condition.

That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs.

§ The dosage is determined based on how you tolerate the medication.

Dosage of valsartan in children

Valsartan is approved to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) in children ages 1 year and older.

In general, valsartan oral tablet is prescribed for children older than age 5 years.

Note: For some children, doctors may prescribe a liquid suspension of valsartan for swallowing. (It’s not discussed in this article. Pharmacists prepare this suspension using valsartan oral tablets and other ingredients.) The suspension is typically used in children ages 1 to 5 years and children who cannot swallow pills. It’s also typically used in children whose dosage doesn’t have a corresponding strength in the tablet form.

To learn more about the liquid suspension, talk with your doctor.

The table below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed for children ages 1 to 16 years. (Children of age 17 years typically receive the adult dosage. See the table above.) Dosages are in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

For example, assume a doctor prescribes valsartan for a 12-year-old child weighing 40 kg (about 88 lb). The child’s starting dosage would be 40 mg once per day.

Dosage adjustments for valsartan

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of valsartan oral tablet based on several factors, including:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have

Missed dose of valsartan

If you miss a dose of valsartan tablets, take it as soon as possible. But if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. And then take the next scheduled dose at your regular time. Do not double a dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you’re not certain whether to take a missed dose, check with your doctor or pharmacist right away.

For tips on how to plan your doses of valsartan oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about valsartan oral tablet and its dosage.

What is considered a high dose of valsartan?

The dose of valsartan varies depending on the reason you’re taking it. For more information, see the “Dosage of valsartan” section above. Each use has a starting dosage and dosage range. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.

What’s the best time of day to take my valsartan dose?

The best timing of valsartan depends on your dosage. If you take valsartan once per day, your doctor will likely recommend taking it at the same time each day. If you take valsartan twice per day, they’ll likely recommend taking one dose in the morning and one in the evening.

It’s important to take valsartan regularly. This helps the medication work effectively.

For information on what to do if you miss a dose, see the “Missed dose of valsartan” section above. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for their recommendation.

Is valsartan used long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe valsartan oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

How valsartan is taken

You’ll take valsartan oral tablets by swallowing them once or twice per day. The frequency depends on the condition they’re treating. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe valsartan together with another medication to treat your condition.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This keeps a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that helps the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Valsartan coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for valsartan when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of valsartan

It’s important that you do not take more valsartan oral tablets than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of valsartan overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• fast heart rate
• low blood pressure
• loss of consciousness

What to do if you take too much valsartan

If you think you’ve taken too much valsartan, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for valsartan oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of valsartan oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take valsartan oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it.

Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will my dosage of valsartan oral tablet change if I’m taking other drugs with it?
• If I’m over age 65 years, will my dosage of valsartan oral tablet change?
• Will my dosage of valsartan oral tablet change if I have problems with my kidneys or liver?

Boxed warning for valsartan

Valsartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Valsartan can cause harm or death to a fetus. Due to this risk, you should not take this drug if you’re pregnant or can become pregnant.

If you’re considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor about other medication options. If you become pregnant while taking valsartan, stop taking it and tell your doctor right away.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.