Skip to main content

Hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan for High Blood Pressure User Reviews

Brand names: Diovan HCT

Hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 25 reviews for the treatment of High Blood Pressure. 52% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 12% reported a negative experience.

Hydrochlorothiazide/valsartan rating summary

7.0 average rating out of 10

25 ratings from 26 user reviews.

Compare all 281 medications used in the treatment of High Blood Pressure.

10
20%
9
28%
8
4%
7
12%
6
0%
5
12%
4
12%
3
8%
2
0%
1
4%

Reviews for Hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan

  • Anonymous
  • April 14, 2011

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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 lightheaded/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
80 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 29, 2011

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
54 Report
  • Pro...
  • April 17, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
48 Report
  • MVP...
  • March 5, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "I started using Diovan HCT as a lower-cost alternative without evaluating side effects. After starting Diovan, my blood pressure was okay, but I 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 a Texan to eat meat again."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
46 Report
  • Fee...
  • March 29, 2008

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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 its job. No more puffy ankles either! YAY!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
43 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Anonymous
  • December 17, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
37 Report
  • kar...
  • December 19, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "Diovan HCT induced disturbing psychedelic dreams and headaches. 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
  • Car...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 21, 2017

"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 stood up and started 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 it and felt great. And so about a week later, to be safe and make sure that is what was causing my problems, I tried the meds again, and like clockwork, the same side effects."

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

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "I've been taking Diovan 165 mg/12.5 mg daily for the last 5 years, since I was 56 years old and 200 pounds, without any side effects in my case. Maybe some impotence now that I read other comments, but at 61 years 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) "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
25 Report
  • pac...
  • July 2, 2014

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "Had taken Diovan 160 mg and a separate water pill 12.5 mg. 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
18 Report
  • sup...
  • March 7, 2010

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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 10 mg (another great medicine for HBP and mitral valve prolapse) at night."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Cha...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • October 6, 2018

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "I've been on Diovan 320/HCTZ 12.5 for over 10 years. 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
10 Report
  • Ric...
  • May 28, 2009

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

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
18 Report
  • Txg...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 23, 2017

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "I switched to this after having a bad cough with lisinopril. 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, it will make you pee!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • MSa...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • July 8, 2019

"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 effects began. The principal 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 positive, but the side effects are bothersome enough to make me seek an alternative."

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

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
1 Report
  • MSa...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • January 25, 2019

"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
  • Anonymous
  • March 19, 2008

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "Works fine in controlling my BP with no noticeable side effects."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
44 Report
  • Kat...
  • April 6, 2008

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
39 Report
  • ssi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 6, 2015

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "Been taking 320/12.5 for 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
23 Report
  • Anonymous
  • March 5, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
  • 8be...
  • March 13, 2009

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
23 Report
  • Ala...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 5, 2018

"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
7 Report
  • Pri...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 13, 2021

Diovan HCT (hydrochlorothiazide / valsartan) "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
3 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.