Valsartan
Also sold as: Diovan
Prescription neededSartans (ARBs)
Comes as:TabletCapsule
Usual adult dose
High blood pressure: 80 to 160 mg once a day, maximum 320 mg. Heart failure: start 40 mg twice a day and increase slowly up to 160 mg twice a day as set by your doctor.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- dizziness
- tiredness
- back or leg pain
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- swelling of face or throat (rare)
- fainting
- very high potassium (weakness
- irregular heartbeat)
- kidney problems
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Pregnancy (can harm the baby)
- Severe liver disease
- Kidney disease or high potassium (use with caution)
- Do not combine with an ACE inhibitor unless your doctor says so
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious2 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Potassium chloride
Potassium supplements with an ARB can cause dangerously high potassium.
- Spironolactone
Together they can raise potassium to dangerous levels; blood tests are needed.
Moderate2 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Ibuprofen
NSAIDs reduce the blood pressure effect and raise the risk of kidney damage.
- Lithium carbonate
ARBs can raise lithium levels; levels should be checked.