Skip to main content

Hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Diovan HCT

Hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 26 reviews on Drugs.com. 52% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 12% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
High Blood Pressure  
7.0
26 reviews for High Blood Pressure 273 medications
Add your review

Reviews for Hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan

  • Anonymous
  • April 14, 2011

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I took this medication for about 4 years. At first, no noticeable side effects. However, I have regularly experienced severe mood swings, panic attacks, swollen and painful feet, and incontinence for the past 2-3 years. I stopped taking Diovan and within two weeks the foot pain and incontinence went away. I am now on a new medication and I haven't had any severe mood swings or panic attacks for the last two weeks. I am still adjusting to the new medicines (Cartia XT) and I feel a little light headed/dizzy. I didn't realize that I was an emotional wreck, it came on slowly and my family just thought I was going crazy. I think it must have been the Diovan because I am fine now and feeling like my old, calm, reasonable, rational self."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
78 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 29, 2011

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I have tried several medications for my high blood pressure since 2004; Diovan HCT is the ONLY medication that helps me feel better. The majority of medications I tried gave me terrible headaches. I have virtually no side effects when using Diovan HCT; the only issue I have is that I cannot be out in the sun for extended periods of time."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
52 Report
  • Profe...
  • April 17, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "Diovan HCT worked well for me for almost three years, good blood pressure numbers, no side effects. However, I started getting fairly severe side effects (nervousness, anxiety, insomnia) that appeared over a period of about a month and disappeared the moment I stopped taking it. A Google search turned up several people had similar experiences. Now on Bystolic, which is doing the trick, so far without any side effects."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
47 Report
  • MVP
  • March 5, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I started using Diovan HCT as a lower cost alternative without evaluating side effects. After starting Diovan, my blood pressure was OK, but started suffering from "GOUT". Often I couldn't walk and I suffered extensively for 2 years without knowing that the uric acid was being created by the medicine. I changed doctors and the new doctor recommended other medicine. My Uric acid levels went back to normal and they have been fine for 2 years. It is a pleasure for Texan to eat meat again."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
45 Report
  • Feeln...
  • March 29, 2008

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I am on a low dose, but have never had any problems with this drug and have been using it for several years now. My Dr. is very happy with it (prescribed by another Dr.) it does it's job. No more puffy ankles either! YAY!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
42 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Anonymous
  • December 17, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I've been on Diovan HCT for about a year. I had previously been on lisinopril HCT also for high blood pressure for about 2 years before that, but began having side effects, which disappeared as soon as I switched to Diovan HCT. I haven't had any side effect issues with Diovan HCT other than rare lightheadedness when standing quickly which is not so intense as to cause any problem. And the big improvement for me in Diovan is that my blood pressure measured at home is much more evenly controlled. With lisinopril HCT my blood pressure would be high one day and low the next and the lightheadedness when standing quickly could be so intense that at times I felt close to blacking out. All in all, Diovan HCT is worth the higher cost to me over the generic lisinopril HCT."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
35 Report
  • karlh...
  • December 19, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "Diovan HCT induced disturbing psychedelic dreams and headache. There is an unpublished academic article on the web about how once daily dosing of Diovan may induce psychedelic dreams and that twice daily dosing may relieve the problem. Novartis, the manufacturer, doesn't list this troubling side-effect!"

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
34 Report
  • Carri...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 21, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "It was horrible for me it made me very nauseous to where I couldn't breathe as long as I was sitting down I was fine as soon as I stand up and start walking it would make me nauseous and out of breath after about 10 steps if I picked up anything heavy like a thing of laundry soap or a gallon of milk I felt like I was about to pass out so the very next day I didn't take and felt great and so about a week late to be safe and make sure that is what was causing my problems I tried the meds again and like clock work the same side effects"

Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • JJBP
  • October 26, 2011

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Diovan 165mg/12.5mg daily for the last 5 years, since I was 56 yrs old and 200 pounds without any side effects on my case. Maybe some impotence now that I read other comments, but at 61 yrs it is normal for men to no longer be that sexually strong."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
23 Report
  • Anonymous
  • May 13, 2008

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "After being on Diovan for three months I notice ankles are less swollen than in the past but continue to swell. I also take Arimidex, a cancer medicine. Diovan has proved to be the best medicine for me to date."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
24 Report
  • paccy
  • July 2, 2014

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "Had taken Diovan 160mg and a separate water pill 12.5mg. Then my doctor switched me to Diovan HCT to save money. No good. Wound up with a severe rash. Switched back to the two pill system and now am fine."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
17 Report
  • super...
  • March 7, 2010

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "After trying several high blood pressure medicines this has worked wonderfully to reduce the blood pressure and eliminate excess fluid and sodium. I take one pill 325/12.5 mg in the morning and have added Bystolic 10mg (another great medicine for HBP and Mitral Valve Prolapse) at night."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Rick...
  • May 28, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I used to take Nifedipine 10 mg plus Metoprolol Tartrate 25mg (twice daily) to reduce my blood pressure. Nifedipine's effect caused fluctuation of blood pressure each day. A doctor recommend me to replace by taking 5 mg Amlodipine Besylate and 80 mg of Diovan (Valsartan) once each day. I took Metoprolol for couple of years already. The recent changes reveals two things, by stop taking Metoprolol, my heart beat is faster (new 68 and previously about 60) and I felt irregular heart beat. Now I doubt if I should discontinue Metoprolol as this medicine put my heart at ease. "

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
18 Report
  • Charlie
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • October 6, 2018

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I've been on Diovan 320/HCTZ 12.5 for over 10 yrs. It does control my BP, however I've been experiencing severe burning in my stomach upon lying down, which no GI Doctor can figure out, unexplained fatigue, and decreased libido."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • MSano
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Have treated my high blood pressure with various ARBs for several years. The original RX of tradename Diovan HCT worked well for years. With the availability of generic valsartan I was dispensed the generic version of the combination. Coincidentally, side effects began-postural hypotension and just an odd feeling. Switched to Benicar HCT, after several months side effect began. The principle one was best described as an overall odd feeling. My MD went back to valsartan HCT and I have been on it since. I am experiencing the same odd feeling, dehydration and some postural hypotension. The effect on my bp has been very postive, but the side effects are bothersome enough to make me seek an alternative."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Txgirl
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 23, 2017

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I switched to this after having a bad cough with linsinopril. My BP is stable on this medication, however I do have low or borderline low sodium and potassium on this medication. Don't really have any other side effects. Just take in the morning, will make you pee!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • MSano
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • January 25, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Have shuffle between generic valsartan/25 mg hit and Benicar 20 & 25 mg HCT after years on Diovan HCT. Feel odd on both, worse on Benicar. Lightheaded, not quite normal feeling on both. I have side effects with generics I never had with branded products. Can’t explain. ARBs are best choice for me, but these side effects are a quality of life issue."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
3 Report
  • harry
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • November 12, 2023

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I'm a hypertension guy, it's from my family. I'm 60 years old. My common blood pressure is 16 - 16.5. I mostly go high to 17, many times at 18, and rarely to 19 - 19.5 or 20 - 20.5. I was prescribed Diovan 320, now it is sold as Co-Diovan 320, with the diuretic (thiazide). It does the job. I usually break the pill in 2 and take 1/2 in the morning when I have 17 - 18, and then monitor my blood pressure during the day. If it persists, I take the other half of the pill soon too. That's for saving money (it's economical since 1 box gives you 2X doses/pills). When I have 19 - 19.5 or higher, I take the whole 320 pill. It works, and the diuretic works fine. It helps the diuretic if I also drink glasses of iced tea during the day."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
0 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 19, 2008

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "Works fine in controlling my BP with no noticeable side effects"

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
53 Report
  • Kathie
  • April 6, 2008

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I have been on this only since December 2007, but it has made a difference in my life. No more swollen ankles, I sleep better at night, and I have more energy. Works great, with no side effects."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
38 Report
  • ssims
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 6, 2015

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "Been taking 320/12.5 one week. BP is still all over the scale. The only thing I have noticed is I have really strange dreams."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 5, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "Controls blood pressure very well, but causes impotence. I understand the diuretic part (hydrochlorothiazide) is the culprit, but it's very effective otherwise."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
31 Report
  • 8bells
  • March 13, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "I used Diovan with Metoprolol Tartrate. Had to discontinue the metoprolol because it was interfering with my breathing. Now I feel much better just on the Diovan."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Alaska...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 5, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 80/12.5 for years now. It works very well for me, I do not have any complaints."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • Primu...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 13, 2021

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) for High Blood Pressure "Seems to be working well for the last 2 months. I have tried losartan but gave me unexplained weakness and low blood sugar, but diovan HTC looks better but giving me super bad headache"

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
1 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.