Home Valsartan Side Effects

Valsartan Side Effects

Common valsartan side effects include headache, nausea and diarrhea. Less common, serious side effects of valsartan may include allergic reactions, difficulty breathing and kidney problems. Some valsartan batches were recalled in 2018 because of contamination with NDMA, a possible carcinogen.

Last Modified: October 18, 2023
Fact Checked
Medically Reviewed

Board-certified physicians medically review Drugwatch.com content to ensure its accuracy and quality.

Drugwatch.com partners with Physicians’ Review Network Inc. to enlist specialists. PRN is a nationally recognized leader in providing independent medical reviews.

Reviewer specialties include internal medicine, gastroenterology, oncology, orthopedic surgery and psychiatry.

Why Trust DrugWatch?

Drugwatch.com has been empowering patients for more than a decade

Drugwatch.com has provided reliable, trusted information about medications, medical devices and general health since 2008. We’ve also connected thousands of people injured by drugs and medical devices with top-ranked national law firms to take action against negligent corporations.

Our team includes experienced medical writers, award-winning journalists, researchers and certified medical and legal experts. Drugwatch.com is HONCode (Health On the Net Foundation) certified. This means the high-quality information we provide comes from credible sources, such as peer-reviewed medical journals and expert interviews.

The information on Drugwatch.com has been medically and legally reviewed by more than 30 expert contributors, including doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, patient advocates and other health care professionals. Our writers are members of professional associations, including American Medical Writers Association, American Bar Association, The Alliance of Professional Health Advocates and International Society for Medical Publication Professionals.

About Drugwatch.com

  • Assisting patients and their families since 2008.
  • Helped more than 12,000 people find legal help.
  • A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
  • 5-star reviewed medical and legal information site.
Learn More About Us

Testimonials

"Drugwatch opened my eyes to the realities of big pharmacy. Having a family member with major depression and anxiety, I was looking for information on her medications. I found information that was very helpful, that her psychiatrist never told her."
Marianne Zahren Patient’s Family Member
  • Google Business Rating
  • BBB A+ Rating Logo

Common Side Effects of Valsartan

Common side effects of valsartan resemble symptoms of the flu, such as coughing, fatigue, nausea and joint pain. Most valsartan side effects are mild and brief, and most people don’t need to stop taking the drug to feel better.

Common side effects of valsartan include:
  • Abdominal pain
  • Back pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • High blood potassium
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Low blood pressure
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

All of these side effects are also listed on valsartan’s drug label. If you’re concerned about any of them, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Valsartan Cause Weight Gain?

Studies have shown that weight gain is not a prevalent side effect of valsartan. Some people who take the medication experience a modest weight gain, but most people keep their normal body weight.

If you gain a significant amount of weight while taking valsartan, the change may stem from increased water retention caused by kidney problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice this symptom, especially if it is accompanied by swelling in your feet, ankles, hands or face.

Is Hair Loss a Valsartan Side Effect?

No scientific studies link taking valsartan to hair loss, and it is not included on the drug’s label as a side effect. Some people who take the drug may experience hair loss, but this is likely not caused by the medication.

In rare cases, taking valsartan can lead to serious health conditions, including liver damage and serious allergic reactions.

See if You Qualify for a Lawsuit Our Partners

Our Trusted Legal Partners

Drugwatch partners with trusted law firms to help you take legal action. After submitting the form, one of Drugwatch's partners will contact you for a free case review.

simmons hanly conroy law firm logo weitz and luxenberg logo sokolove law firm logo levin papantonio rafferty law firm logo nigh goldenberg raso and vaughn law firm logo morgan & morgan logo the ferraro law firm logo meirowitz & wasserberg law firm logo

Serious Valsartan Side Effects

The most serious valsartan side effects include allergic reactions, high potassium levels and kidney problems. Some people who have experienced these serious side effects from the drug have filed valsartan lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies and drug distributors.

Some batches of medications containing valsartan were recalled in July 2018 because of the presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in them. NDMA is a chemical that is likely to cause cancer and liver damage in humans.

No medications containing valsartan that have been produced since July 2018 are known to be contaminated with NDMA. In addition, taking valsartan does not increase your risk of cancer.

If you take valsartan, discuss these potential side effects with your doctors. They can help you understand the risks involved in taking the drug and help you monitor yourself for these problems.

Valsartan and Kidney Problems

Some people taking valsartan may develop kidney problems because of the drug, which can also worsen existing kidney problems. Symptoms of kidney impairment include unexplained weight gain and swelling in your hands, face, ankles or feet.

Valsartan may also increase the levels of potassium in your blood. This is more likely to happen to people with heart failure or existing kidney problems. Let your doctors know if you have either condition before taking valsartan.

Allergic Reactions Associated with Valsartan

Valsartan may cause serious allergic reactions in some people. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop hives, have trouble breathing or experience swelling of your tongue or throat after taking the drug.

Some people who are allergic to valsartan also develop angioedema, which is a severe swelling beneath the surface of the skin. Many of those who experience this reaction have had the same reaction from taking other drugs, including ACE inhibitors. Valsartan’s label advises people who develop angioedema after taking valsartan not to take the drug again.

Pregnancy Side Effects of Valsartan

Do not take valsartan if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant. Stop taking valsartan immediately if you discover you’re pregnant.

Fact
If taken during the second or third trimesters (the last six months of pregnancy), it may result in fetal injury or death.

Researchers don’t yet know if valsartan passes to a newborn through breast milk. To be safe, doctors strongly recommend not taking valsartan while you breastfeed. Talk to your doctor about alternative medications you can try until your baby can eat solid foods.

Is Liver Damage a Valsartan Side Effect?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, some people who took valsartan reported elevated liver enzymes as a result. The FDA also received rare reports from people who contracted hepatitis.

People with existing liver disease are effectively exposed to twice the amount of the drug per dose as people with normal hepatic function.

Sexual Function Side Effects of Valsartan

Manufacturers list impotence on the drug’s label as one of valsartan’s side effects. It’s unclear if impotence refers to erectile dysfunction. Many studies suggest valsartan has a positive effect on sexual function, especially in people with high blood pressure.

A 2020 literature review published in the Porto Biomedical Journal found that taking valsartan often increased sexual activity. This effect was even more pronounced in men ages 40 to 49.

The same review also found that taking valsartan usually improved erectile function and may enhance sexual desire. In studies that compared sexual function in men who took carvedilol or atenolol and men who took valsartan, only men who took valsartan did not suffer negative effects of their erectile function or testosterone levels.

Fact
Hypertensive men treated with valsartan were less likely to experience erectile dysfunction after treatment. Men who switched to valsartan from other drugs experienced the same positive effect.

There is little reason to fear that taking valsartan will impact your ability to have or enjoy sex. The drug is much more likely to enhance your sex life than harm it.

Rare Valsartan Side Effects

Some people may experience rare but serious side effects while taking valsartan. These include allergic reactions, difficulty breathing and skin rashes.

Less common, serious side effects of Valsartan may include:
  • Acute liver injury
  • Allergic reactions, such as hives, trouble breathing or swelling of the tongue or throat
  • Blood in urine
  • Fetal toxicity
  • Hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood)
  • Impotence
  • Low blood pressure
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or lips
  • Reduced kidney function

If you feel weak, have an irregular heartbeat or muscle cramps, these may be signs of changes in potassium levels in your blood. Some people may bruise more easily while taking valsartan. If your skin or eyes turn yellow, this may be signs of jaundice, a condition that may indicate liver problems.

All of these conditions are medical emergencies, and you should seek emergency care right away.

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.