Valsartan is a medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) . Valsartan works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten, which relaxes and widens the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body.

Some people take valsartan in combination with other medicines, such as amlodipine (brand name Exforge) or hydrochlorothiazide (brand name Co-Diovan), to treat high blood pressure. Valsartan is also sometimes prescribed after a heart attack to lower blood pressure and improve the patients chance of living longer. It may also be used to treat diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease in people with diabetes and high blood pressure) .

Valsartan is available as tablets, capsules, and a liquid that you swallow. It is usually taken once a day for high blood pressure and twice a day for heart failure or heart attack, with or without food. The dosage and duration of treatment will depend on the individuals condition and response to the medication, and should be determined by a doctor.

Common side effects of valsartan include feeling dizzy, but this is usually mild and does not last long. Other side effects may occur, and patients should talk to their healthcare professional if they notice any other effects. Valsartan is not normally recommended during pregnancy, and patients should talk to their doctor if they are trying to get pregnant or are already pregnant. Patients should not use salt substitutes such as Lo-Salt while taking valsartan, as they contain potassium and can make the levels of potassium in the blood too high.

It is important for patients to tell their doctor about any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements they are taking, as valsartan interacts with a number of drugs.