This article describes possible side effects of valsartan oral tablet. 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.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about valsartan oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss
Valsartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see “Valsartan and pregnancy” in the “Warnings for valsartan” section below.
More common side effects of valsartan
Valsartan oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
More common side effects in people taking valsartan oral tablet for high blood pressure include:
More common side effects in people taking valsartan oral tablet for heart failure include:
More common side effects in people taking valsartan after a heart attack include the following. In studies, these side effects caused people to stop taking the drug:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valsartan in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of valsartan
Valsartan may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of valsartan oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valsartan in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with valsartan oral tablet. But, this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Valsartan oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For more details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of valsartan
Valsartan may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from valsartan oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with valsartan oral tablet.
Serious side effects of valsartan oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valsartan in detail” section below.
† Valsartan oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Valsartan and pregnancy” in the “Warnings for valsartan” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with valsartan oral tablet. But, this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Common questions about side effects of valsartan
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of valsartan oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do different strengths of valsartan, such as 80 mg or 160 mg, cause different side effects?
No, they don’t. The expected side effects of valsartan are the same for different strengths. In most cases, side effects in the drug’s studies weren’t dose-related. This means side effects weren’t any more common or serious with higher doses than with lower doses.
That said, with higher doses, a few people experienced orthostatic hypotension in studies. This side effect is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up or change position.
Dizziness was also slightly more common with higher doses. To learn more about dizziness and low blood pressure, see the “Side effects of valsartan in detail” section below.
Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening side effects after your dosage of valsartan has been increased. They can suggest ways to manage side effects as your body adjusts to the new dosage.
Are weight gain and anxiety possible side effects of valsartan?
Weight gain and anxiety weren’t reported in the drug’s studies.
It’s possible for weight gain and anxiety to occur with heart failure and kidney problems. Keep in mind, doctors prescribe valsartan to treat heart failure. And kidney problems can be a side effect of valsartan.
With heart failure and kidney problems, weight gain is possible from extra fluid in the body. When this happens, you may notice swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, or belly. If you have sudden weight gain, tell your doctor right away. It could mean your heart failure is worsening or your kidneys are having trouble functioning.
Your doctor can evaluate your symptoms and help determine what may be causing your weight gain. They can recommend ways to help you maintain or manage a weight that’s healthy for you.
It’s also important to tell your doctor if you have symptoms of anxiety. They can recommend ways to help ease your anxiety.
Can valsartan cause eye-related side effects?
Blurry vision was reported by people with heart failure who took valsartan in the drug’s studies.
Changes in vision, including blurry vision, can also be a symptom of low blood pressure. Low blood pressure was reported by people taking valsartan for heart failure or after having a heart attack. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valsartan in detail” section below.
If you notice blurry vision or other eye problems while taking valsartan, tell your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.
Is cancer a side effect of valsartan?
Cancer isn’t an expected side effect of valsartan. In the drug’s studies, there weren’t any reports of cancer in people taking valsartan.
In the past, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall of certain batches of drugs containing valsartan. These batches had an impurity called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a chemical that could possibly cause cancer in humans.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about drug recalls and how to receive updates about recalls.
Does valsartan cause long-term side effects?
No, it shouldn’t. If you develop any side effects while taking valsartan, your symptoms should go away soon after you stop taking the drug.
If you notice side effects of valsartan that aren’t going away or are getting worse, talk with your doctor. They’ll help determine if you should stop taking valsartan.
Coupon for valsartan
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Side effects of valsartan in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of valsartan oral tablet.
Cough
A cough is a possible side effect of valsartan. In studies, a cough was a common reason certain people stopped taking the drug. This was seen in people taking the drug after having a heart attack.
A cough can be a symptom of heart failure, which can develop after a heart attack. Keep in mind, doctors often prescribe valsartan for heart failure and after a heart attack. A cough could mean that heart failure is developing or worsening.
Ways to manage
Tell your doctor if you have a cough that isn’t going away while taking valsartan. They can determine the most likely cause of your cough and may suggest changes to your treatment plan.
Dizziness
In valsartan’s studies, dizziness was one of the most common side effects people reported. It’s important to know that dizziness can occur when you have low blood pressure. And low blood pressure was also a common side effect in the studies.
Feeling dizzy can lead to fainting and falls, which can be serious.
Ways to manage
If you have dizziness, lie down until the feeling passes. This can help reduce the risk of fainting or falling. If dizziness occurs often, tell your doctor. They can determine the most likely cause and suggest ways to manage it.
Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure was a common side effect of valsartan in the drug’s studies. People taking the drug for heart failure or after having a heart attack reported this side effect. In fact, it was a common reason people taking valsartan after having a heart attack stopped taking the drug.
The risk of low blood pressure can also depend on other medications a person takes.
Symptoms of low blood pressure can include:
Ways to manage
To relieve symptoms of low blood pressure, it can help to lie down. Then, get up slowly after the symptoms resolve.
Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of low blood pressure while taking valsartan. They may suggest reducing your dosage of valsartan or adjusting any other medications you take that can affect blood pressure.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking valsartan oral tablet.
Allergic reactions weren’t reported in valsartan’s studies. But these reactions have been reported since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to valsartan oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for valsartan
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking valsartan oral tablet.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm and pregnancy loss
Valsartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Valsartan and pregnancy” section below.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take valsartan oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether valsartan oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking valsartan oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to valsartan oral tablet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.
Diabetes. For people with diabetes, valsartan shouldn’t be taken with the drug aliskiren (Tekturna). Taking these two drugs together increases the risk of kidney problems. If you have diabetes and take aliskiren, ask your doctor about other treatment options for your heart condition.
Kidney problems. Valsartan can affect how well your kidneys work. If you already have kidney disease or kidney problems, taking valsartan could worsen your condition. People with kidney problems are also at an increased risk of high blood levels of potassium while taking valsartan.
Talk with your doctor about your kidney health before starting valsartan. Your doctor may order blood tests to check kidney function and blood potassium levels.
Low blood pressure. Low blood pressure is a possible side effect of valsartan. People taking valsartan for heart failure or after having a heart attack are most likely to have low blood pressure. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valsartan in detail” section above.
Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend checking your blood pressure often if you have one of these conditions. Your doctor can provide instructions about monitoring your blood pressure.
Valsartan and pregnancy
It’s not safe to take valsartan during pregnancy. Valsartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss if it’s taken during pregnancy. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the FDA.
Risk of fetal harm or pregnancy loss
Taking valsartan during pregnancy can cause harm or death to a fetus. If you are pregnant, tell your doctor before taking valsartan. Ask them about other treatment options that are safe to take during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant while taking valsartan, call your doctor right away. They will have you stop taking valsartan as soon as possible. They can also suggest different treatment options for your heart condition.
If you can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about birth control options while taking valsartan. They can discuss the risks and benefits of each option.
Valsartan and breastfeeding
It’s not safe to take valsartan while breastfeeding. There’s a risk of serious side effects in children exposed to valsartan through breast milk. Talk with your doctor to learn more about the risks and benefits of other feeding options for your child.
Valsartan and alcohol
Valsartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
However, alcohol and valsartan have some of the same side effects. Consuming alcohol while taking valsartan could increase the risk of these side effects, such as:
In addition, heavy alcohol consumption can raise your blood pressure in the long term. This could make valsartan less effective for treating your condition.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to consume during valsartan treatment.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of valsartan oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I have any factors or conditions that could prevent me from taking valsartan due to the risk of harm?
- How do the side effects of valsartan compare with those of other drugs used to treat my condition?
- What can I do to help prevent or manage common side effects of valsartan?
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.
