Valsartan for High Blood Pressure User Reviews (Page 3)

• are...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2018

"I am specifically commenting for my brother. He takes valsartan for high blood pressure. I need to tell you all that there is a voluntary recall on valsartan. Everyone, please call your pharmacy or check on the label and see who is the company/manufacturer of your medication. Go online and you will find the list of the company names that are being recalled. The FDA is suggesting you continue taking your medication until you find another medication to replace it. Please contact your doctor who is treating you and talk with him/her."

• 1wa...
• July 25, 2009

Valsartan "I have been taking this medication off and on for about 10 years. My experience is that it lowers my blood pressure to around 120/60 from an average of 140/75. My problem is it causes me to have problems with my legs and I can't have good erections. I stop it for a few days and my erection returns to normal. That's my biggest problem with it."

• cmi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2018

"I asked for an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) because I didn't want the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, as they can cause a cough. I was on a low dose of valsartan (40 mg) to start. Almost immediately, I experienced daily diarrhea. It was bad enough that it was difficult to get out of the house in the morning. I also frequently felt nauseous and noticed hair loss and dry mouth. After 2 months of this, I told my doc I was not taking it anymore. The symptoms disappeared within 2 days of discontinuation."

• Wsa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2022

"Been on every class of medication and out of options for BP 170/110. Trying Valsartan again as it is “least” disabling with other meds. But it causes huge electrolyte imbalances, severe muscle cramps, Charlie horses, cold/flu symptoms, stuffy nose, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle and bone aches, and dehydration - even though I drink 4-5 quarts a day. So will take to stay alive - preventing hypertension crisis. But pretty miserable. Wondering if the name brand would be better? I have hypothyroidism, a fragile baseline condition. So do try this med if you haven’t already! You may or may not have a similar degree of side effects or success. It’s worth trying, never give up. Good luck!"

• kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2016

"Started Diovan 160 mg today, after being on Norvasc 5 mg for a while, Diovan dropped my blood pressure from 177/93 to 128/71. But while on Diovan, I literally felt like crap. I was weak, had shortness of breath, my legs hurt when walking dogs. Just felt terrible. Will call Dr. tomorrow and let him know."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2008

Valsartan "Diovan was prescribed by my doctor nearly 10 years ago. Turns out both my parents also take it. None of us have any side effects that we are aware of, and it controls the hypertension effectively. Never been on any other high blood pressure treatment."

• Bob...
• May 26, 2017

Valsartan "Shortly after beginning Diovan, I started coughing, and it just never stopped. Little by little, it increased to the point that I just couldn't take it anymore. I still have a lingering cough, but not as bad as when I stopped. I am hoping it will stop completely with time. I wish I had known it was a common side effect before I started using it. Now I am afraid to take a different med for high blood pressure until I research it thoroughly."

• emp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2019

"I was taking Diovan to control my blood pressure as a 42-year-old male. It was fantastic, so much so I only needed a quarter of an 80 mg pill and it would work. Recently, I tried generic valsartan, and even at a full 80 mg pill, I barely see a change in my blood pressure. (I have a monitor cuff at home)"

• Che...
• April 23, 2016

Valsartan "I've been on Diovan and labetalol. Two weeks ago, my blood pressure bottomed out. The hospital took me off labetalol and cut my Diovan to 160 mg. It stayed in the 190s over 120s to 130s. I put myself back to 320mg. It is now starting to come down."

• Yar...
• May 5, 2018

"I consider Valsartan to be dangerous. I know nothing about Diovan. After taking it for a few days, I suffered excruciating burning/electric pain across the left side of my head, and I was rushed to the hospital emergency. $20,000 worth of tests. Conclusion---unidentified! Not a stroke, not an aneurysm, undetermined. Affected my balance, could not walk properly for ten days. Stopped taking Valsartan but had a less severe episode a week later with dizziness and inability to walk properly due to poor balance. My history prior was that I rarely had a headache, and if I did, it was a very mild ache-an entirely different pain. Neurologist later thought I MIGHT have had a migraine induced by the Valsartan. Eight months later and no repeat of headaches. With improved diet and exercise, I average a BP of 130/80 with 2.5 mg Amlodipine daily, and I am hoping to drop that in the future."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2021

"I was having some high blood pressure issues for a while before I decided to go to my doctor and get it taken care of. I was feeling a lot of pressure in my head, no appetite, extreme anxiety, headaches constantly with some dizziness and feeling lightheaded and always tired. So she prescribed me this medicine. I’ve been on valsartan for 3 weeks. I have no more headaches, the dizziness and feeling lightheaded, and my anxiety went way down, as well as my blood pressure staying within normal limits. I don’t feel 100 percent back to my old self just yet. I’m still getting extremely fatigued at times, but I personally think it’s due to not drinking enough water. Be aware you need to stay hydrated on this medicine. But other than that, I was feeling like I had no energy or motivation before starting this medicine, and I feel like my quality of life has drastically improved so far. I was scared to take it, but I wish I could have started sooner. Don’t be afraid, it’s a long road, but you will be okay."

• Akm...
• December 9, 2019

"I was on Valsartan for some time, and everything felt fine. I started to get stiffness and pain in my right foot. At night, I would wake up with the pain in my foot so bad I had to get up. I ran out of Valsartan, and the drug store was waiting for a supply to arrive. I went two days without it, and the pain in my foot went away, so it was a side effect of Valsartan. I have discontinued using it, and my foot pain has gone away."

• JLB...
• March 18, 2015

Valsartan "I have been taking Diovan 160 mg along with three other medications. My blood pressure went down from 160/100 to 135/90, but I'm not sure if it was due to this medicine or the other three. I seem to get tired in the afternoon when my dosage was increased from 80 to 160 mg."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2009

Valsartan "I've taken Diovan for 5 years. It controlled my blood pressure for about 4 years, and then my blood pressure started to rise. My only side effects that I am aware of are extremely cold feet and loss of sex drive. I have since switched to Metoprolol with no improvement and the same side effects. Both of these drugs are expensive. I'm going to ask my doctor if I can be switched to Atenolol. According to the description of this drug on Drugs.com, it seems to be the same, except you can get it from Walmart or Walgreens for $4."

• rob...
• May 25, 2009

Valsartan "Diovan 80 mg was prescribed to me. It did nothing for my blood pressure. I started on 160 mg/12.5, this increased my BP from 140/90 to 160/107 and gave me serious side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, etc. My sister takes this medicine without any problems."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 10, 2018

"Once I started Valsartan, I started getting boils off and on. This last one was on the inside of my nose. I googled Valsartan and boils, and sure enough, it was the meds. It brought my blood pressure down, but now that I know it caused boils (and belly fat), I’m starting by cutting it in half. I’ll be off soon, as I’m doing vegan meals and my blood pressure is coming way down."

• Fai...
• May 6, 2017

"I take Valsartan 80 mg once a day for BP, but BP is never stable. It lowers the BP, but sometimes it's as if I haven't had any BP medication. Along with this, there are an awful lot of strange sensations throughout the day. I've been taking it for 3 months now. Side effects: from feelings of tightness, palpitations, to lightheadedness and right side of abdomen flushing pains."

• Doo...
• August 14, 2017

"Was on Tekturna for many years. Switched to Valsartan because my numbers were creeping up. Used to cough on Tekturna a lot. No more. I'm 116/65 now, and my wife is also very pleased with the fact that there are no negative side effects that would impact her enjoyment of life."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2010

Valsartan "I've been taking Diovan for 2 weeks now, and so far, it has the fewest side effects (other than hives and painful walking) and gets my blood pressure down (144/88). My system is very sensitive, but with blood pressure running 176/100 and higher, I am thankful this helps."

• 283...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

Valsartan "After two weeks, I started experiencing intense vertigo, this is the third day I'm experiencing it, and it's just terrible. I'm trying to sleep, and the room is just spinning. Vertigo is listed as a possible side effect of Diovan. I'm never, ever touching this medicine again, other than throwing it into the trash bin."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2023

"I am taking 40 mg-80 mg a day of Valsartan for high blood pressure. It doesn't seem to work as my blood pressure has not improved, and I have started experiencing a fast pulse, shaky hands, an off-balance feeling, a foggy mind, tiredness, and horrible sinus congestion/swelling."

• Anonymous
• November 20, 2009

Valsartan "Been taking this medicine for three months. Was on Exforge. I am pleased with the results, and also it helps me to lose weight. Lost 10 lbs in one month without trying. Need to lose 30 more lbs, going for the gold. Side effect: makes me feel weak at times, other than that, it appears to be working, hopefully. I will be off medication when I lose the weight."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2024

"160 once daily for about 6 weeks now. They made me want to stare at the wall at first, some heart palpitations. Tried breaking in half and taking twice daily to no avail. Back to once daily, noon w/food. Good control over bp but seems short-lived. 157 in the mornings to 130 for about 4-5 hours after taking then back to 150's. Suspect 160mg twice daily will be discussed but don't think I can tolerate that. Hair noticeably thinning and increased joint pain on 160mg once daily, 320 not likely. Affects everyone differently but I do read similar sides in others. Good luck!"

• Mys...
• March 7, 2017

"From day one, really bad headaches, lethargic, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion. Tired, no energy, really bad skin rash, throat closing up, trouble sleeping. All around bad medication, joints aching, itchy eyes. Only took medication for four days."

• Jac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 3, 2018

Valsartan "I had used Diovan for some time, which worked well. When the insurance provider had me switch to Valsartan, I began to have problems, and now I am not able to go back to Diovan because of the expense of it, they charge $402.00 for a three-month supply. Outrageous!"