Valsartan and Muscle Pain: 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."

• Unh...
• December 31, 2016

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "Been on Diovan for at least three years, suffering many side effects: muscle pain, sudden hair loss and thinning, as well as intermittent tingling on the back of my head. I have also had weight gain, problems with blood sugar, and loss of erections. I still have sexual desire but my erections aren't adequate. I have pain in my stomach which is increasing with time, sometimes kind of burning like an ulcer, and coldness in my feet. I have also started developing small lumps of fat under my skin and marks on my skin resembling age spots but are not. The pills are not having as good an effect on my blood pressure anymore. It went way up. I just don't know what medicine to switch to."

• Tam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on valsartan for 3 1/2 months. I was always tired, a sharp headache on the left side of my head, muscle pain. As of 7/26/2019, I decided not to take this medication, the side effects are horrible, and I wouldn't recommend this drug to a lab rat. I'm now waiting on my next dr. appointment to see what other options he has."

• Hot...
• January 31, 2016

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "I was on Diovan five years ago for high blood pressure and had been taking it for about two years when I woke up one morning and felt so sick and weak that I could not walk. I happened to be in the hospital at the time, and they discovered that my potassium and blood pressure had dropped significantly. They stopped the Diovan, and two days later I was back to normal. However, my blood pressure is above the recommended levels, and the local doctor put me back on Diovan about six weeks ago, and this week I got the weakness back plus muscle aches, severe, so I stopped Diovan two days ago, and so far I still have all the bad side effects but hoping they will go away soon. A visit to the doctor is on the cards."

• 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!"

• Roc...
• September 28, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Took a 160 mg tablet 2 nights in a row. After the 1st dose, within minutes, I had pain down my spine. Thought maybe I'd pulled some muscles. The pain stayed around 20 hours. Took my 2nd dose, and the pain started again, only worse, up and down my spine and radiated around. Felt like I'd been in a car accident. If I hadn't looked up the drug's side effects, I would have gone to the ER thinking I'd had a heart attack. It's 18 hours later, and I still hurt. (Clearly not helping my blood pressure.) My doctor says he's never heard of anyone having this reaction, although a friend of mine, who is Ashkenazi Jewish female as I am, said it's common. Genetics maybe? Blood pressure not greatly lowered. Beta blocker works better but has side effects also."

• A m...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 24, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I never had high B/P until a year ago. I take generic Valsartan/HCTZ - Diovan - 160 mg/25 mg. I have severe weakness, muscle and joint pain, knees are bad. Diovan does take care of my B/P, edema too. I have recently been put on Torsemide 20 mg. I was told I was in heart failure, whoa!! I am a mess! Ativan helps, but because of people who abuse, people like those who need this controlled med suffer. My Dr. gives me not enough, but 1 mg per day, so I suffer. I hope I can take Valsartan. I am overweight and too weak to exercise."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2009

Valsartan for High Blood Pressure "After taking it for 4 days, it made me sick to my stomach and caused great muscle pain in my left leg."