Diovan Side Effects
Generic name: valsartan
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 26, 2022.
Note: This document contains side effect information about valsartan. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Diovan.
Summary
Common side effects of Diovan include: dizziness and increased serum potassium. Other side effects include: hypotension. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to valsartan: oral extemporaneous suspension, oral tablets.
Warning
Side effects include:
Viral infection, fatigue, abdominal pain; also, dizziness, hypotension, postural dizziness or hypotension, hyperkalemia, arthralgia, diarrhea, and back pain in patients with heart failure.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to valsartan: oral capsule, oral liquid, oral tablet.
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 14%), dizziness (up to 14%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vertigo[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Cough
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
A 71-year-old woman experienced an acute onset of angioedema and a photosensitive pruritic rash after 3 months of valsartan (the active ingredient contained in Diovan) therapy. Her symptoms dissipated and the rash resolved after treatment with subcutaneous epinephrine, intravenous methylprednisolone, diphenhydramine, and emollient cream.
A unique case of dose-dependent, valsartan-induced angioedema has been reported. Two hours after initiating a dose increase (160 to 320 mg/day) of valsartan, a patient developed angioedema (i.e., swelling of lips and tongue). Symptoms resolved following a reduction in dose to the original dosage of 160 mg/day.[Ref]
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Angioedema[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Symptomatic hypotension in 5.5% of heart failure patients in clinical trials
Rare (less than 0.1%): Palpitations, chest pain
Frequency not reported: Dizziness related to orthostatic hypotension
Postmarketing reports: Heart failure[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Impaired renal function, increases in serum creatinine concentrations, blood urea nitrogen, and potassium
Postmarketing reports: Renal failure[Ref]
Dermatologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Pruritus, rash, alopecia
Postmarketing reports: Bullous dermatitis[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, flatulence
Postmarketing reports: Taste disturbance (i.e., altered sensitivity of basic tastes) has been reported following repeated dosing[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, muscle cramps, myalgias
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Rhabdomyolysis[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Anxiety, insomnia, paresthesias, somnolence[Ref]
Genitourinary
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Impotence[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hematocrit decreased, hemoglobin decreased, neutropenia
Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, vasculitis[Ref]
Hepatic
Valsartan-associated hepatotoxicity in a patient with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) positivity (without signs and symptoms) has been reported. After 1 month of treatment with valsartan (the active ingredient contained in Diovan) this patient developed pruritic erythematous skin changes, nausea, jaundice, right subcostal abdominal pain, elevated liver enzymes, and mild hepatomegaly. Signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity resolved within 2 to 3 weeks following discontinuation of valsartan and the patient remained asymptomatic after 6 months of follow-up.[Ref]
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis
Frequency not reported: Hepatic enzymes increased[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
- Losartan vs Valsartan - What's the difference between them?
- What is the strength of Prexxartan (valsartan) oral solution?
More about Diovan (valsartan)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (66)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (9)
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Support group
- Drug class: angiotensin receptor blockers
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
Other brands
Professional resources
Other formulations
Related treatment guides
References
1. Holwerda NJ, Fogari R, Angeli P, et al. "Valsartan, a new angiotensin II antagonist for the treatment of essential hypertension: efficacy and safety compared with placebo and enalapril." J Hypertens 14 (1996): 1147-115
2. Oparil S, Dyke S, Harris F, et al. "The efficacy and safety of valsartan compared with placebo in the treatment of patients with essential hypertension." Clin Ther 18 (1996): 797-810
3. Waeber B, Burnier M, Nussberger J, Brunner HR "Experience with angiotensin II antagonists in hypertensive patients." Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 23 ( Suppl (1996): s142-6
4. "Product Information. Diovan (valsartan)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals (2001):
5. McInnes GT "Clinical advantage of valsartan." Cardiology 91 (1999): 14-8
6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
7. Benz J, Oshrain C, Henry D, Avery C, Chiang YT, Gatlin M "Valsartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist: a double-blind study comparing the incidence of cough with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide." J Clin Pharmacol 37 (1997): 101-7
8. Frye CB, Pettigrew TJ "Angioedema and photosensitive rash induced by valsartan." Pharmacotherapy 18 (1998): 866-8
9. Irons BK, Kumar A "Valsartan-induced angioedema." Ann Pharmacother 37 (2003): 1024-7
10. Burnier M, Hagman M, Nussberger J, Biollaz J, Armagnac C, Brouard R, Weber B, Brunner HR "Short-term and sustained renal effects of angiotensin II receptor blockade in healthy subjects." Hypertension 25 (1995): 602-9
11. Burnier M, Roch-Ramel F, Brunner HR "Renal effects of angiotensin II receptor blockade in normotensive subjects." Kidney Int 49 (1996): 1787-90
12. Ziai F, Ots M, Provoost AP, Troy JL, Rennke HG, Brenner BM, Mackenzie HS "The angiotensin receptor antagonist, irbesartan, reduces renal injury in experimental chronic renal failure." Kidney Int Suppl 57 (1996): s132-6
13. Marquart-Elbaz C, Grosshans E "Sartans, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, can induce psoriasis." Br J Dermatol 147 (2002): 617-8
14. Tsuruoka S, Wakaumi M, Ioka T, et al. "Angiotensin II receptor blocker-induces blunted taste sensitivity: comparison of candesartan and valsartan." Br J Clin Pharmacol 60 (2005): 204-7
15. Flores CA, Ardiles LG, Aros CA, et al. "Valsartan-Induced Hematocrit Changes in Renal Transplant Patients." Transplant Proc 37 (2005): 1586-1588
16. Kiykim A, Altintas E, Sezgin O, et al. "Valsartan-induced hepatotoxicity in a HBs-Ag-Positive patient." Am J Gastroenterol 98 (2003): 507
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.