Diovan

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD

Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD

Updated on June 20, 2023

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved valsartan for:

• high blood pressure in certain adults and children
• reduce hospitalization for heart failure in adults
• reduce the risk of death after a heart attack in certain adults

This article describes valsartan’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of valsartan.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Valsartan has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA.

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for valsartan” section.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about valsartan.

Is it safe to take valsartan with amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide?

Yes, it’s safe to take valsartan with amlodipine or hydrochlorothiazide. Valsartan may be prescribed together with these drugs to treat high blood pressure. In fact, combination drugs are available with these medications, such as:

• valsartan/amlodipine (Exforge)
• valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (Diovan HCT)
• valsartan/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide (Exforge HCT)

To learn more about taking valsartan with other medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What brand names are available for valsartan?

In the United States, valsartan is available as the brand-name drug Diovan. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re interested in taking a brand-name drug.

How does valsartan work? And how long does it take to start working?

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Usually, the hormone angiotensin II binds to its receptors in the blood vessels. (A receptor is a binding site on a cell.) This causes blood vessels to become narrow and raise the pressure inside them.

When valsartan blocks the receptor, angiotensin II can’t bind to it. This stops angiotensin II from working and keeps the blood vessels relaxed. The result is lower blood pressure. Lower blood pressure means the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump the blood, which helps in heart failure and after a heart attack.

Valsartan starts working right away. But it takes about 2 weeks to see how well it’s working and up to 4 weeks to see its maximum blood pressure lowering effects.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as valsartan for certain conditions. Approved uses for valsartan are described below.

Use for certain heart and blood vessel problems

Doctors may prescribe valsartan oral tablet for treating high blood pressure. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children ages 1 year and older. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Doctors may also prescribe valsartan oral tablet to reduce hospitalization for heart failure and reduce the risk of dying after a heart attack. It’s used for these purposes in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With high blood pressure, people usually don’t have any symptoms. But having high blood pressure puts you at risk of having serious events, such as a heart attack or stroke. These conditions can be fatal in some cases.

With heart failure and after a heart attack, the heart can’t work as well as it should. This can cause symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Symptoms can become serious and lead to hospitalization or death.

Valsartan can be prescribed by itself or with other blood pressure medications to treat high blood pressure.

Doctors may not prescribe valsartan oral tablet in certain situations, such as for people with diabetes who also take aliskiren (Tekturna).

Valsartan may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of valsartan and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about valsartan’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for valsartan in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of valsartan are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about valsartan’s side effects, see the prescribing information in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Valsartan oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• abdominal pain
• dizziness
• fatigue
• headache
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for valsartan” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of valsartan are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, valsartan’s serious side effects include:

• high potassium levels in blood
• low blood pressure or dizziness upon standing, which can lead to fainting
• low white blood cell levels
• problems with kidney function
• boxed warning: risk of fetal harm*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for valsartan” section below.

Below, you’ll find information about valsartan’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of valsartan

Certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take valsartan, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for valsartan” section below.

Warnings for valsartan

Some people should not take valsartan, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

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

To learn more about this risk, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and valsartan” section below.

Other warnings

Valsartan could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether valsartan is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for valsartan, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Valsartan can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to valsartan or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe valsartan. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to valsartan, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of valsartan

If you take valsartan by mouth, you should not take more valsartan than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and valsartan

Information about valsartan and pregnancy, and breastfeeding is described below.

Valsartan and pregnancy

Valsartan should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with valsartan.

Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm

Valsartan has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the FDA.

Taking valsartan during pregnancy can cause harm or death to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking valsartan, tell your doctor immediately and stop taking valsartan as soon as possible.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Valsartan and breastfeeding

Valsartan should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with valsartan.

This article describes valsartan’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about valsartan or would like more details about it.

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

• How does valsartan compare with other angiotensin II receptor blockers?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects for any reason?
• Is valsartan available in other forms?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Valsartan tablets, film coated, for oral use. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f756009f-f04f-6518-e053-6294a90a79ed/spl-doc#section-15

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.