Valsartan and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2009

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Diovan HCT 160/12.5 - took for over 8 years. Blood pressure was controlled...however, did not realize that daily headaches, hair thinning, up and down blood sugar, weight gain, muscle aches, etc. were side effects. Stopped taking and all symptoms started to go away."

• aro...
• November 7, 2008

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "One side effect not listed here but is listed elsewhere falls under the category of dermatological side effects - alopecia. So, if your scalp becomes pink and irritable and you start developing thinning or actual bald patches, ask your doctor to switch you to another medication."

• Run...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 24, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan and Valsartan both caused my hair to come out in clumps. I googled the problem, and several sites said that this is a common side effect with BP meds. Apparently, they deplete the CoQ10, a vitamin. They advise taking 30 mg of CoQ10 a day to prevent the hair loss. I started to do that, and it works. I'm still on Valsartan, and my hair loss is back to normal... a couple strands a day."

• Tir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 11, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Valsartan 160 mg for 10 years now. It helps control my BP, but I'm tired of all the side effects it causes me. Examples of those are: tiredness, hair loss, post-nasal drip, loss of libido, delayed orgasm, insomnia. I have decided to stop the med and to exercise (walk) and eat better."

• Swe...
• May 15, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I started valsartan a month ago. I am experiencing hair loss, body aches, heart palpitations, my head throbs, anxiety, but that could be from my heart racing at times. (Which is something that has never happened to me until I was put on this medicine.) It seems like my vision is blurry at times. My blood pressure runs about 135/85. Although some days I check it and it's all over the place. My face also is flushed since starting this medication."

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

For High Blood Pressure "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."

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

For High Blood Pressure "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!"

• 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."

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I started on 80 mg in Oct. Two weeks after taking, my thumb went numb. We needed to increase the dose to 160 mg once a day to help control my BP. About two weeks later, my left arm went numb. I had a stress test and a brain MRI. Stress test fine and brain scan fine. I continue to have headaches and now going to a chiropractor for headaches and neck stiffness. He thinks I may have a pinched nerve. I feel like this drug has caused my arm and leg numbness and headaches. I’m also shedding a lot of hair. I began feeling like crap after I started taking this."

• fir...
• March 18, 2011

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Worked great for my blood pressure, however, I had to stop this medicine because of severe and rapid hair loss."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2009

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I started using Diovan four months ago, although it has lowered my pressure considerably, I'm experiencing itchy and tender scalp. My hair is extremely brittle and constantly breaking."

• Anonymous
• March 27, 2009

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I started using Diovan four months ago, although it has lowered my pressure considerably, I'm experiencing itchy and tender scalp. My hair is extremely brittle and constantly breaking."