Diovan (valsartan) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It relaxes blood vessels by blocking angiotensin II, a hormone that tightens arteries and increases blood pressure. This mechanism helps lower blood pressure, reduces strain on the heart, and protects organs that are vulnerable to hypertension-related damage.
Primary indications include: hypertension in adults and in certain pediatric patients; heart failure with reduced ejection fraction to improve symptoms and reduce hospitalizations; and post–myocardial infarction (heart attack) management to lower the risk of cardiovascular death in clinically stable patients with left ventricular dysfunction or failure. Treating high blood pressure with Diovan lowers the long-term risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure progression, and kidney complications, especially when combined with lifestyle changes like sodium reduction, physical activity, and weight management.
Diovan is often considered when patients cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors due to cough or angioedema, as ARBs tend to have a lower incidence of cough. It can be used alone or alongside other agents, such as thiazide diuretics or calcium channel blockers, to reach blood pressure targets.
Always follow your prescriber’s instructions. Diovan may be taken with or without food, preferably at the same time each day. Swallow tablets with water; do not crush unless advised. Your individual dose depends on your condition, other medications, kidney and liver function, and how you respond to treatment.
Hypertension (adults): Common starting dose is 80 mg or 160 mg once daily, with a usual range of 80–320 mg once daily. Blood pressure reductions are typically evident within 2 weeks, with maximal effect by 4 weeks. Your clinician may adjust the dose at intervals of 2–4 weeks to reach goal blood pressure.
Heart failure: A typical starting dose is 40 mg twice daily, titrated as tolerated to 80–160 mg twice daily. Titration is gradual to minimize hypotension, dizziness, and kidney effects. Diovan may be used with diuretics, beta blockers, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists as part of guideline-directed therapy.
Post–myocardial infarction: Therapy may begin as early as 12 hours after an acute MI in clinically stable patients. A common approach starts at 20 mg twice daily, then up-titrates to 40 mg, 80 mg, and up to 160 mg twice daily as tolerated.
Pediatric hypertension: Valsartan is used in certain children ages 6–16; dosing is weight-based. Because pediatric dosing requires careful calculation and monitoring, parents and caregivers should strictly follow the pediatrician’s instructions and use the exact formulation provided.
Special populations: In patients who are dehydrated, on high-dose diuretics, or salt-restricted, start low and up-titrate slowly to avoid symptomatic hypotension. For mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment, consider lower starting doses; Diovan is generally not recommended in severe hepatic impairment or cholestasis. In kidney impairment, careful monitoring of potassium and creatinine is advised with dose adjustments based on clinical response.
Pregnancy: Diovan carries a boxed warning for fetal toxicity. Drugs that act on the renin–angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. Discontinue as soon as pregnancy is detected and consult a clinician immediately. Discuss reliable contraception if you may become pregnant.
Kidney and potassium: Diovan can increase potassium and affect kidney function, especially in those with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, older age, or when combined with potassium supplements, salt substitutes, potassium‑sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren. Periodic monitoring of serum potassium and creatinine is recommended.
Volume depletion: If you’ve had vomiting, diarrhea, or are on aggressive diuretics, you may be volume depleted and at risk for low blood pressure. Correct dehydration before starting or increasing Diovan where possible.
Liver impairment: Use caution and consider lower starting doses with mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment; avoid in severe hepatic disease or cholestasis unless specifically directed by a specialist.
Angioedema and allergies: While uncommon with ARBs, angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat) can occur and requires immediate discontinuation and medical attention. Tell your clinician if you’ve had angioedema with ACE inhibitors or ARBs previously.
Surgery and anesthesia: ARBs can contribute to intraoperative hypotension. Inform your surgical team; your clinician may advise holding Diovan before major procedures.
Driving and activities: Dizziness or fatigue can occur, especially when starting or increasing the dose. Understand how Diovan affects you before driving or operating machinery.
Race and response: As monotherapy, ARBs may be less effective in lowering blood pressure in some Black patients; combination therapy often addresses this difference.
Do not use Diovan if you have hypersensitivity to valsartan or any component of the formulation.
Pregnancy: Contraindicated due to risk of fetal toxicity. Discontinue immediately if pregnancy occurs.
Do not use Diovan with aliskiren in patients with diabetes; avoid this combination in patients with moderate-to-severe renal impairment as well, due to increased risks of kidney injury, hyperkalemia, and hypotension.
Severe hepatic impairment, biliary cirrhosis, or cholestasis are generally considered contraindications or require specialist oversight.
Avoid duplicative RAAS inhibition: routine combination with an ACE inhibitor or with sacubitril/valsartan (an ARNI) is not recommended due to safety concerns.
Most people tolerate Diovan well. Common side effects include dizziness, headache, fatigue, and low blood pressure—especially after the first doses or with dose increases. Some patients report mild cough or gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea), though cough is typically less frequent than with ACE inhibitors.
Labs may show increases in potassium or creatinine. Elevated potassium can cause muscle weakness, numbness, or heart rhythm changes. Kidney function changes are more likely in those with preexisting kidney disease, severe heart failure, or dehydration, or when combined with NSAIDs or other RAAS blockers.
Less common but serious effects include angioedema (facial, lip, tongue, or throat swelling), syncope, severe hypotension, and kidney failure. Seek urgent care for signs of angioedema or severe lightheadedness, chest pain, or shortness of breath. If you notice decreased urine output, swelling, or rapid weight gain, contact your clinician.
This list is not exhaustive. Report persistent or severe side effects to your healthcare professional and ask about lab monitoring tailored to your risk profile.
Potassium and diuretics: Potassium‑sparing diuretics (spironolactone, eplerenone, amiloride), potassium supplements, and salt substitutes can raise potassium levels; monitor closely or avoid combinations unless directed. Loop or thiazide diuretics may enhance blood pressure control but can increase the risk of low blood pressure when starting Diovan.
Other RAAS agents: Combining Diovan with ACE inhibitors, aliskiren, or sacubitril/valsartan increases the risk of kidney dysfunction, hyperkalemia, and hypotension. Avoid in most cases, particularly in diabetes or kidney disease. Do not co-administer Diovan with sacubitril/valsartan; if switching therapies involving an ACE inhibitor and sacubitril/valsartan, specific washout periods apply—ask your clinician.
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) can blunt the blood pressure–lowering effect and worsen kidney function, especially in older adults, dehydrated patients, or those with kidney disease. If an NSAID is necessary, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time and monitor kidney function.
Lithium: ARBs can increase lithium levels and risk toxicity (tremor, confusion, ataxia). Avoid or monitor serum lithium carefully.
Other agents: Trimethoprim (alone or in combination with sulfamethoxazole), heparin, and certain immunosuppressants can elevate potassium. Alcohol and antihypertensives may add to blood pressure lowering. Grapefruit does not have a known clinically significant interaction with valsartan.
Always provide your clinician and pharmacist with a full list of prescription drugs, OTC medicines, supplements, and herbal products to screen for interactions.
If you miss a dose of Diovan, take it as soon as you remember the same day. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double up to make up for a missed dose. To help prevent missed doses, set reminders or link dosing to a daily routine.
Overdose may cause pronounced low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting, and fast or slow heartbeat. Supportive care is the mainstay: place the person supine with legs elevated, seek emergency medical help, and provide intravenous fluids if needed under medical supervision. Activated charcoal may be considered shortly after ingestion in a medical setting. Valsartan is not removed by hemodialysis. Bring the medication container to the emergency department to help clinicians assess exposure.
Store Diovan tablets at room temperature (typically 20–25°C or 68–77°F), away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep in the original container with the lid tightly closed; if a desiccant is present, leave it in the bottle. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use tablets that are expired, discolored, or damaged; ask your pharmacist about safe disposal of unused medication.
Diovan (valsartan) is a prescription medication in the United States. Access should prioritize safety, clinical appropriateness, and legal compliance. Nunzia Pharmaceutical offers a legal and structured solution for acquiring Diovan without a traditional paper prescription by facilitating care through licensed clinicians. Customers complete a secure health questionnaire and, when appropriate, a brief telehealth evaluation. If Diovan is clinically suitable, a U.S.-licensed prescriber issues an electronic prescription that is dispensed by a credentialed pharmacy.
This model preserves the safeguards of prescription therapy—identity verification, contraindication screening, interaction checks, pharmacist counseling, and post‑purchase support—while removing unnecessary friction. State and federal regulations, age restrictions, and shipping limitations apply. Diovan is not appropriate for pregnancy and may require periodic lab monitoring; Nunzia’s clinicians can advise on testing and follow‑up. If Diovan is not suitable, alternatives or referrals are provided. For urgent symptoms or emergencies, seek in‑person care immediately.
Note: Information in this article is educational and not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional about diagnosis, treatment choices, and monitoring.
Diovan is the brand name for valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure by blocking the AT1 receptor, relaxing blood vessels and reducing aldosterone-driven sodium and water retention. The result is lower vascular resistance and improved blood flow.
Diovan treats high blood pressure in adults and children 6–16 years old, reduces the risk of cardiovascular death in clinically stable patients after a heart attack with left ventricular dysfunction, and reduces hospitalizations in chronic heart failure. It may also help reduce protein in urine in certain kidney conditions as part of blood pressure management.
You may see some blood pressure reduction within hours of the first dose, with full effect typically in 2–4 weeks. Consistent daily use is important to maintain control.
A common starting dose is 80–160 mg once daily, titrated based on response to a maximum of 320 mg daily. For heart failure, dosing often starts at 40 mg twice daily and can be increased to 160 mg twice daily. After a heart attack, it is commonly started at 20 mg twice daily and titrated up as tolerated.
For hypertension, once-daily dosing is usually sufficient due to valsartan’s duration of action. Twice-daily dosing is often used in heart failure and post–heart attack settings to maintain steady levels and tolerability.
Take it as soon as you remember unless it is close to the time of your next dose. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double up.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and gastrointestinal upset can occur, especially when starting or increasing the dose. Less commonly, low blood pressure, elevated potassium, or changes in kidney function may occur. Rarely, angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue) happens; seek emergency care if it does.
Cough is uncommon with ARBs like valsartan and occurs much less often than with ACE inhibitors. If you previously had an ACE inhibitor–related cough, valsartan is often a good alternative.
Do not use valsartan if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; it can harm the fetus. Avoid combining with aliskiren in people with diabetes, and use caution with severe kidney disease, bilateral renal artery stenosis, or a history of angioedema with an ARB. People who are volume-depleted (for example, from aggressive diuretics) may need correction before starting.
Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, and salt substitutes raise the risk of high potassium. NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can blunt blood pressure control and worsen kidney function, especially in older adults or those with kidney disease. Lithium levels can increase; monitor if used together. Routine dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (combining an ACE inhibitor, ARB, or aliskiren) is generally not recommended due to higher risk without added benefit.
Yes. Valsartan can slightly raise creatinine and potassium, particularly after starting or increasing the dose, in people with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, or those on potassium-raising drugs. Your clinician will typically check blood tests 1–2 weeks after initiation or dose changes and periodically thereafter.
No. Valsartan carries a boxed warning for fetal toxicity and must be discontinued as soon as pregnancy is detected. It is generally not recommended during breastfeeding due to limited data and potential risks to the infant; discuss safer alternatives with your clinician.
Yes. Valsartan is approved for hypertension in children 6–16 years old, with weight-based dosing. Pediatric dosing and monitoring should be guided by a clinician experienced in treating childhood hypertension.
Alcohol can increase dizziness and the blood pressure–lowering effect; use cautiously. Moderate caffeine is generally acceptable, though large amounts may transiently raise blood pressure in some people. Focus on consistency and discuss specific limits with your clinician.
Check home blood pressure at consistent times and keep a log. Your clinician will monitor kidney function and potassium with blood tests, especially after starting or dose changes. Report symptoms like severe dizziness, swelling of the face or tongue, muscle weakness, or an irregular heartbeat.
Yes. Generic valsartan is therapeutically equivalent to the brand. Using a consistent manufacturer can reduce variability, and pharmacies have largely addressed past impurity recalls; if you have concerns, ask your pharmacist for the lot’s sourcing and quality details.
Yes. It is often combined with thiazide diuretics or calcium channel blockers for additive effect. Fixed-dose combinations (for example, valsartan with hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine) can simplify regimens, but your clinician will tailor therapy to your response and tolerability.
Taking valsartan with food can slightly reduce absorption, but the effect is usually not clinically important. Take it consistently in the same way each day (with or without food) for steady control.
By lowering blood pressure and reducing intraglomerular pressure, valsartan can reduce albuminuria and slow kidney disease progression in some patients, especially with diabetes and hypertension. Achieving target blood pressure and monitoring labs are key to kidney protection.
If your baseline blood pressure is low or you have episodes of dizziness or fainting, discuss with your clinician before starting. Dose adjustments, timing changes, hydration, and reviewing other medications can help minimize symptomatic hypotension.
Both ARBs effectively lower blood pressure. Some head-to-head data show slightly greater systolic reductions with valsartan at commonly used doses, but differences are small and individual response varies. Choice often depends on comorbidities, dosing preferences, and cost.
Losartan uniquely lowers uric acid due to a uricosuric effect, which can benefit people with gout. Valsartan is generally neutral on uric acid and may be less preferred if urate lowering is a goal.
Both are potent ARBs with strong 24-hour blood pressure control. Olmesartan has a rare, distinctive risk of sprue-like enteropathy (chronic severe diarrhea with weight loss) that has not been associated with valsartan. If persistent unexplained diarrhea occurs on olmesartan, switch and evaluate.
Telmisartan has one of the longest half-lives in the class and provides very consistent 24-hour control, often on once-daily dosing. Valsartan also provides full-day control for most patients; in those with early morning blood pressure surges, telmisartan may have an edge.
Both lower blood pressure and reduce albuminuria, but irbesartan has robust outcome data in diabetic nephropathy (IDNT), as does losartan (RENAAL). Valsartan improves albuminuria and kidney parameters, but when prioritizing evidence for hard renal outcomes, irbesartan or losartan are often favored.
Both have strong heart failure data: valsartan (Val-HeFT, VALIANT) and candesartan (CHARM program) reduce hospitalizations and improve outcomes. Choice may hinge on dosing schedules, tolerability, and availability. In many patients with reduced ejection fraction, sacubitril/valsartan is now preferred over ARB monotherapy when tolerated.
Azilsartan is among the most potent ARBs for systolic blood pressure reduction in head-to-head studies. Valsartan remains highly effective and well-supported by outcomes data; azilsartan’s long-term cardiovascular outcomes database is comparatively smaller.
Both lower blood pressure, but eprosartan often requires twice-daily dosing and is less commonly used today. Valsartan has broader outcome data and more fixed-dose combination options, which may improve convenience.
All ARBs have a low risk of cough compared with ACE inhibitors. Angioedema is rare across the class; rates are low and similar, though anyone with prior angioedema needs careful consideration and monitoring regardless of the specific ARB chosen.
Work with your clinician to choose an approximately equipotent dose, then titrate to blood pressure targets. Common daily dose comparisons used in practice are roughly: valsartan 160–320 mg ≈ losartan 100 mg ≈ telmisartan 80 mg ≈ olmesartan 20–40 mg ≈ irbesartan 300 mg ≈ candesartan 32 mg ≈ eprosartan 600–800 mg ≈ azilsartan 80 mg. Individual response varies, so monitor and adjust.
Telmisartan has partial PPAR-gamma activity that may modestly improve insulin sensitivity and lipid parameters in some studies. These effects are small; blood pressure control and outcome data should drive choice. Valsartan does not have notable PPAR effects.
Both reduce cardiovascular risk by lowering blood pressure. Outcome differences between ARBs are modest; achieving target blood pressure and using evidence-based therapies for comorbidities (statins, antiplatelets when indicated) matter more than the specific ARB chosen.
Some ARBs (notably candesartan) have evidence for migraine prevention in small trials. Valsartan has less data for this use. If an ARB is considered off-label for migraine, candesartan is often preferred, with individualized risk-benefit assessment.
If chronic unexplained diarrhea is a concern, valsartan may be preferred because olmesartan has a rare association with sprue-like enteropathy. Regardless of the ARB, persistent gastrointestinal symptoms warrant evaluation.
Both are suitable for once-daily dosing with stable 24-hour coverage. Pill size, insurance coverage, and fixed-dose combination availability often determine which one is easier for a given patient to stick with.
Most ARBs, including valsartan, losartan, irbesartan, candesartan, telmisartan, and olmesartan, are available as generics, but prices vary by region, insurance, and pharmacy. Valsartan and losartan tend to be among the most affordable; azilsartan may be pricier in some markets. Using discount programs or combination pills can affect cost.