Skip to main content

Valsartan and Dizziness: What Users Say

Brand names: Diovan

Dizziness: mentioned by 14 users (9.2%)

Based on user experiences from 152 Valsartan reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

tiredness 9.9%
cough 9.2%
dizziness 9.2%
fatigue 7.9%
hair loss 7.9%
headaches 7.2%
heart palpitations 7.2%
nausea 7.2%
ringing in ears 7.2%
muscle pain 5.3%

Reviews for Valsartan

Showing 14 reviews tagged with "dizziness". Clear filters to view all 152 reviews.
Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Chu...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 1, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have tried several different blood pressure meds. Valsartan gave me the worst side effects: dizziness, shakiness, nausea, headaches, sore muscles, and extreme fatigue! I would not recommend this drug to anyone. Actually raised my blood pressure."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
113 Report
  • JFE...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 4, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "After reading the reviews of this drug, I was horrified when my doctor put me on it. I'm on 160mg once daily. For the first week or so, I had some raunchy symptoms (dizziness, general tiredness, and stomach cramping), however, it has been almost two weeks and I feel so good now. My BP is getting lower, I'm waking up rested, I have less anxiety, no more migraines (so far), and typical body aches are less. This is an all-around fix if you have my blood pressure problems."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
124 Report
  • dds...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 2, 2014

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I recently started taking this medication for about 1 month, 80mg/day, and I have experienced shortness of breath going up one flight of stairs, muscle weakness during light housework, and heart palpitations for no reason, dizziness, and fatigue. I went on vacation to Palm Desert and wasn't watching my sodium intake and not keeping hydrated. I paid dearly by watching my blood pressure go from 140/90 to 180/105 and ended up at urgent care. Doc gave me Diazide to flush out the sodium, and now my blood pressure is 110/70. The cardiologist decreased Diazide to 40mg. Some of Diovan's side effects are dissipating with this reduction. I am not happy taking any medication unless necessary, especially at the age of 46. Hope to be off all medicines soon."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
111 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Ken...
  • March 31, 2015

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Taking for 15 years. I'm 67. Controls my blood pressure well. I take 160mg. I'm normal weight and very active (triathlons and marathons). If I train very hard and drop weight, I get dizzy sometimes so I cut the pill in half and that does the trick. I occasionally get heart palpitations, but I had that before the drug. I used to get terrible migraines before Diovan, when I started taking Diovan, it was like a miracle drug for the migraines - essentially eliminated them. I still get them now infrequently and not as severe. I have ringing in the ears, but I don't know if it's from the Diovan or not, but it's not a problem for me."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
87 Report
  • Yar...
  • May 5, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Yar...
  • May 5, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Eri...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 21, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "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."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
15 Report
  • 283...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 26, 2023

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "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."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Ind...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 8, 2021

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Have been taking Diovan HCT 160/12.5 for nearly 20 years with absolutely no issues. Recently, have noticed more fatigue and dizziness. Began checking and recording my blood pressure multiple times a day and found out that it is too low. I'm in the process of coordinating next steps with my doctor. Suspect that a slight dosage adjustment should do the job and have me back on track shortly."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • cin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 16, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I took valsartan for 10 days. First couple of days were ok. Then I developed jitteriness, uncontrolled shaking, chest pain, palpitations, headache, burning in stomach, nausea, heavy crawly feeling in my legs, severe muscle weakness, dizziness, and cold sweats. My blood pressure got really low: 90/69, pulse 105. I called my doctor, and he said those weren't side effects. I looked on the insert, and they were all there. I quit taking it two days ago and am starting to feel better."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Mir...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 15, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Valsartan 80 mg once per day since 6 months ago, never controlling my BP to ideal, though. For the first month or so, my blood pressure was all over the place, super high, then very low, and I had heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. After the first month or so, all those symptoms were gone, but then I started noticing the amount of hair I was losing, it is alarming. At this rate, I will be almost bald in no time. I am thinking of trying a different medicine, but the reviews for most of them address the same side effect, hair loss. I read here, I believe, that taking CoQ10 helps with hair loss, so I will try, and I will also ask my doc to change to the brand name. I have been using the generic."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Bri...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 3, 2024

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Diovan HCT 160 12.5mg. I've been using Diovan since 2009 with no problems until about 3 years ago. I began having severe vertigo with ear ringing and feeling like I'm about to lose it. My eyes feel like things are moving, and my voice is hoarse while talking. Two weeks ago, I stopped taking it and felt so much better, but my blood pressure went up to 150/76, and it scared me. So, I went back to taking them, and the symptoms came back. I have to figure out what to do."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Sal...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 1, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "This drug valsartan left me with some major side effects: anxiety, depression, poor sleep, nightmares, and dizziness."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
30 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 8, 2008

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Caused dizziness and nausea."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
43 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.