An angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB)
Valsartan
An angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) for high blood pressure and heart failure, often used when an ACE inhibitor causes a cough.
What is Valsartan?
Valsartan is an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) used to lower blood pressure and to treat heart failure with a weakened pumping action. It relaxes and widens blood vessels by blocking a hormone that would otherwise tighten them, easing the work of the heart.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Valsartan — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Valsartan is a widely used angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure and is used in heart failure with a reduced pumping function. ARBs work on the same hormone system as ACE inhibitors but rarely cause the dry cough, so valsartan is a common choice when an ACE inhibitor is not tolerated. It is a long-term, once-daily tablet, and is also available combined with a water tablet or with a heart-failure partner medicine.
How it works
Valsartan blocks the receptor that angiotensin II acts on, rather than blocking the enzyme that makes it. Angiotensin II is a hormone that tightens blood vessels and makes the body hold on to salt and water; by stopping it from reaching its receptor, valsartan lets blood vessels relax and reduces fluid load, so blood pressure falls and the heart has less to work against. Because it acts one step further along than an ACE inhibitor, it does not build up the airway chemicals that cause the ACE-inhibitor cough.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis).
Valsartan was discovered by Ciba-Geigy of Switzerland (which merged into Novartis in 1996). The angiotensin II receptor blocker received US FDA approval in 1996 and was marketed as Diovan.
What it treats
Conditions Valsartan is used for
Practical use
How to take Valsartan
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it at the same time each day, with or without food.
- Take the first dose when you can rest, as it may cause dizziness at first.
- Expect blood tests to check your kidney function and potassium levels.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers and potassium-based salt substitutes unless advised.
- Seek urgent help if your face, lips or tongue swell, and tell your doctor if you plan a pregnancy.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Valsartan
Advantages
- Lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke and heart problems.
- Improves symptoms in heart failure with a weakened pump.
- Usually does not cause the dry cough seen with ACE inhibitors.
- Taken once a day and generally well tolerated.
Disadvantages
- Can raise potassium and affect kidney function, needing blood tests.
- May cause dizziness, especially when starting or alongside water tablets.
- Rarely causes serious swelling of the face or throat (angioedema).
- Must not be used in pregnancy because of risk to the baby.
- Should not normally be combined with an ACE inhibitor.
Practical use
Good to know
It is taken once a day at a consistent time, often started low and built up, with a blood-pressure and blood-test check after starting and after increases. Its practical advantage over ACE inhibitors is that it rarely causes a dry cough, which is why people are often switched to it. Like ACE inhibitors, it can raise blood potassium and affect kidney function in some people, so blood tests are used to keep watch. It must not be used in pregnancy. Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs), especially with a water tablet, can stress the kidneys.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who are pregnant or planning pregnancy — ARBs are contraindicated in pregnancy and switched beforehand.
- People with severe liver impairment or certain bile-flow problems, and used with caution in significant kidney artery narrowing.
- Used with caution where blood potassium is high or blood pressure is low, and not normally combined with an ACE inhibitor.
Monitoring
- Blood pressure
- Kidney function and blood potassium before and after starting/increasing
- Symptoms in heart failure
Side effects
- Dizziness or light-headedness, especially on standing or when starting.
- A rise in blood potassium or a change in kidney function (watched with blood tests).
- Generally well tolerated; unlike ACE inhibitors it rarely causes a dry cough, and angioedema is very rare.
Key interactions
- NSAID painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen) can reduce its effect and stress the kidneys, especially alongside a diuretic.
- Potassium supplements, potassium-based salt substitutes and certain diuretics can push potassium too high.
- Care with other blood-pressure-lowering medicines, with ACE inhibitors, and with lithium.
Available as: Tablets (several strengths), including combinations with a thiazide diuretic and with a heart-failure partner medicine.
Answers
Valsartan: frequently asked questions
Why was I switched from an ACE inhibitor to valsartan?
The most common reason is a persistent dry, tickly cough caused by the ACE inhibitor. Valsartan controls blood pressure in much the same way but rarely causes that cough, so it is a well-matched alternative.
Why must valsartan be stopped in pregnancy?
ARBs like valsartan can harm a developing baby, so they are contraindicated in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, think you might be, or are planning pregnancy, tell your healthcare team promptly so they can switch you to a medicine that is safe to use.
Do I need blood tests on valsartan?
Yes. It can raise blood potassium and affect kidney function in some people, so your prescriber checks your kidney function and potassium before starting and after any increase, then periodically. These tests are routine and help keep treatment safe.
Can I take ibuprofen with valsartan?
Occasional use may be fine, but regular anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) can reduce valsartan's effect and, especially alongside a water tablet, can harm the kidneys. Check with your pharmacist and prefer paracetamol where suitable.
What is the difference between valsartan and Diovan?
They are the same medicine — valsartan is the generic (active-ingredient) name and Diovan is a brand name. Generic valsartan contains the identical active ingredient.
The wider class
About ARBs
Valsartan belongs to the arbs class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF: Valsartan.
- NICE NG136: Hypertension in adults.
- NICE CKS: Valsartan.
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