Valsartan and Cough: What Users Say

• Nan...
• March 28, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I had taken Diovan for several years to control my blood pressure with no issues. About 6 months ago, the drug store substituted Valsartan for the Diovan. I have had a severe chronic cough since January. A pharmacist friend of mine had mentioned that she has had 3 patients this past winter who were taking Valsartan complain of the onset of a chronic cough. I am asking my doctor for a new prescription tomorrow for Diovan ONLY. One case I would say is coincidence, but I am the fourth case. I have been debilitated by this nagging cough. I would be interested to know if others suffer this same side effect."

• Fai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Valsartan (generic of Diovan) 80 mg, plus Metoprolol ER 25 mg. I've been taking these for about 6 months, during which time I've had muscle stiffness, joint pain, decreased urine flow, cough, vision changes, and some of the other listed side effects. I stopped Valsartan a week ago, and stopped Metoprolol 3 days ago. The past two days, I've never felt better and my blood pressure is about the same as it was on the drugs. Not ideal yet but not in the danger zone. Both of these drugs have many of the same side effects and both generic. C-Span televised a hearing not long about about generic drugs, and I learned that most of them are now made in China and India."

• Big...
• August 3, 2017

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I took Lisinopril for about a year and a half. I coughed so bad all the time I could not stand it any longer. Stopped up head and hard to breathe. My doctor changed me to Diovan 160 mg, and I have been on it for 2 months now, and my head has cleared, and my cough is completely gone. My blood pressure has been in the 110's over 60's. So far, I am very happy with Diovan!!!"

• Iri...
• May 15, 2010

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Yes, it lowered my blood pressure. I had, and still do, a persistent lingering dry cough, which led to many visits to the doctor's office: spirometry, chest x-ray, antibiotics, and more, to rule out any other reason for the cough. And I did hear from one of my co-workers later that her father had a similar experience, cough after taking Diovan."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 26, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "My experience with Valsartan was terrible: muscle stiffness, joint pain, chronic cough, vision changes, painful stiffness in my neck and shoulder. I felt terrible every day. I will never take this medicine nor recommend it to anyone. I went back to Diovan, it's more expensive, but it works."

• Car...
• June 9, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Been on valsartan for over a year. Had several side effects... cough, lethargic, and muscle weakness when walking for 5 minutes. Dr. was unhappy with my pressure the last few visits, so Dr. added HCTZ to valsartan. My symptoms now include higher blood sugar... 30 to 50 more points average daily on my morning testing. My A1C went from 6.1 to 6.6 when I had my 3-month blood test. All I do is cough and wheeze. Chest x-ray shows clear lungs. Tired of taking more meds to relieve symptoms. Feel like I'm not crazy after reading the comments of others."

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

For High Blood Pressure "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!"

• Bob...
• May 26, 2017

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "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."

• Doo...
• August 14, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "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
• December 10, 2010

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I take Diovan along with amlodipine and benazepril. My blood pressure is typically about 120-130/70-84. I don't know how much is due to the Diovan vs. Lotrel, but I do know that Lotrel taken by itself was unable to get these results. As for side effects, I do seem to have a dry cough (varying amounts), some dehydration, darker urine, and substantially less-frequent ejaculations. However, I am not sure if it is the medication that causes such things, even though such things are recognized as side effects."

• wat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "64 years old, started at 40 mg, as with all medication like this I bleed out the backside for the first few weeks, I have a persistent cough, constant ringing in my ears, hearing diminished, feels like I have cotton batting in my ears, depth perception loss, green to whitish thick phlegm, intense lower back pain, straight out of bed I need to sit with a hot water bottle for 1/2 to 1 hour just so I can walk, blood pressure still 190/203---over 80/100"

• Kjd...
• June 22, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I started on lisinopril and was sick all the time. Awful cough, nausea, and agitation took for a month. New Dr. switched me to valsartan, and I feel fantastic. The lisinopril cough seems to be almost gone, and I haven't felt nauseous one time. Very happy."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Started Valsartan after needing to be taken off Lisinopril for the coughing side effect. Medication needed increased to twice the dose and never touched my BP regardless of healthy life choices. Reached out to cardiologist Crazy Med."

• GSH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "It caused me to have a severe cough and a constantly runny nose."