This article describes possible interactions with valsartan oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
For coupon options for valsartan and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Valsartan comes as a tablet and a liquid that you swallow.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm
Valsartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about this boxed warning.
Other drugs and valsartan
The drugs in the list below may interact with valsartan oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with valsartan.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with valsartan oral tablet include:
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors:
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs):
- drug examples: losartan (Cozaar), candesartan (Atacand)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, high potassium levels, and kidney problems
- potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills):
- drug examples: spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of high potassium levels
- other diuretics:
- drug examples: furosemide (Lasix)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of low blood pressure and dizziness
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- drug examples: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of kidney problems and make valsartan less effective at lowering blood pressure
- aliskiren (Tekturna):*
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, high potassium levels, and kidney problems
- heparin:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of high potassium levels
- lithium (Lithobid):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of lithium side effects, such as tremors, diarrhea, and sleepiness
* If you have diabetes and take aliskiren, your doctor likely will not prescribe valsartan. This factor is a valsartan contraindication. To learn more, see the “When to avoid valsartan” section.
Questions about valsartan and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about valsartan and possible interactions.
Is there an interaction between valsartan and bananas?
Valsartan isn’t known to interact with bananas.
But valsartan can sometimes cause a high potassium level in your blood. And bananas are relatively high in potassium. So eating lots of bananas while taking valsartan might raise your risk of a high potassium level.
If you’re concerned about eating bananas or other foods rich in potassium during treatment, talk with your doctor.
Does valsartan interact with grapefruit?
No, valsartan isn’t known to interact with grapefruit.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the risk of side effects with some blood pressure medications. Valsartan is a blood pressure medication, but it’s not affected by grapefruit.
If you’re concerned about consuming other foods or drinks with valsartan, talk with your doctor.
Health factors and valsartan
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with valsartan oral tablet. Before taking valsartan, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether any valsartan warnings apply and whether the medication is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with valsartan oral tablet:
When to avoid valsartan
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with valsartan oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe valsartan in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of valsartan contraindications:
- Use with aliskiren in people with diabetes. If you have diabetes and take aliskiren (Tekturna), taking valsartan oral tablet may increase your risk of side effects. These include low blood pressure, high potassium levels, and kidney problems.
- Past allergic reaction to valsartan. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to valsartan oral tablet or any of its ingredients, taking it again may cause another one.
Before you start taking valsartan, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take valsartan.
Alcohol and valsartan
Valsartan oral tablet is not known to have an interaction with alcohol.
But drinking alcohol while taking valsartan oral tablet could worsen certain side effects of valsartan. These include:
- dizziness
- tiredness or low energy
- diarrhea
- headache
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking valsartan oral tablet.
Other interactions and valsartan
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether valsartan oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with valsartan.
Valsartan and supplements
Before taking valsartan oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
Valsartan oral tablet can interact with potassium supplements. Taking valsartan oral tablet with potassium supplements can cause high potassium levels in your blood.
Valsartan oral tablet also can interact with high doses of fish oil supplements. Taking valsartan with high doses of fish oil can increase the risk of low blood pressure with valsartan. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend a dose of fish oil that’s safe to take with valsartan.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Valsartan interactions with herbs
Valsartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking valsartan oral tablet.
Valsartan interactions with vitamins
Valsartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking valsartan oral tablet.
Valsartan and food
Valsartan oral tablet can interact with salt substitutes that contain potassium, such as No Salt. Taking valsartan oral tablet with a salt substitute that contains potassium can cause high potassium levels in your blood.
Because of this, you should avoid using salt substitutes that contain potassium during treatment with valsartan oral tablet.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about consuming other foods while taking valsartan oral tablet.
Valsartan and vaccines
Valsartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking valsartan oral tablet.
Valsartan and lab tests
Valsartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking valsartan oral tablet.
Valsartan and cannabis or CBD
Valsartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with valsartan.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Preventing valsartan interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with valsartan oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking valsartan oral tablet.
Taking valsartan exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about valsartan and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my valsartan dose?
- If I take valsartan and a drug that interacts with it, what should I look out for?
- What pain relievers can I take with valsartan?
Boxed warning for valsartan
Valsartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If taken during pregnancy, valsartan can harm a developing fetus. For example, it can cause kidney, bone, lung, and blood pressure problems in the developing fetus. It can also increase the risk of pregnancy loss.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should not take valsartan. If you become pregnant while taking valsartan, stop taking it and see your doctor right away.
To learn more about this boxed warning, talk with your doctor.
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.
