Valsartan

DIOVAN

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Pronunciation: val-SAR-tan (DYE-oe-van)

Valsartan ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Valsartan ballicule

Valsartan DIOVAN mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Valsartan mascot
**“Divin’ Valved Sartan”**

What it isAngiotensin II receptor blocker; hypertension, heart failure and post-infarction.

Why this oneHeart-failure outcome data, no cough, and it is the ARB component of sacubitril-valsartan.

What limits itHyperkalemia and the same hemodynamic creatinine rise as an ACE inhibitor. Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Valsartan molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Valsartan

Valsartan prescription history

Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, RAAS inhibitors (1981–2026). Valsartan enters in 1997 (estimated).

FDA-approved for

hypertension (1996)
heart failure (2001)

Principal riskHyperkalemia and acute kidney injury

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden2 / 4

Overdose danger2 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk4 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryD

Defining liabilityHyperkalemia, kidney injury, fetal toxicity and increased lithium exposure.

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

BOXED WARNING Fetal toxicity — discontinue as soon as pregnancy is detected; drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system can cause fetal injury and death.

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Hypertension	Adults	80–160 mg QD	80–320 mg QD	320 mg QD
Hypertension	Peds 1–16 y	1 mg/kg QD (up to 40 mg)	1–4 mg/kg QD (up to 160 mg)	160 mg QD
Heart failure	Adults	40 mg BID	40–160 mg BID	160 mg BID
Post-myocardial infarction	Adults	20 mg BID	20–160 mg BID	160 mg BID

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Instructions

Tablets and oral suspension are not substitutable mg-per-mg (suspension AUC ~60% higher); do not combine dosage forms
Oral suspension recommended for peds 1–5 y and those who cannot swallow tablets

Available strengths

tab 40, 80, 160, 320 mg
sol 4 mg/mL

Contraindications

Concomitant aliskiren in patients with diabetes

Cautions

Hypotension (volume-/salt-depleted patients)
Impaired renal function/acute renal failure
Hyperkalemia (monitor potassium)

Adverse reactions

Headache
Dizziness
Viral infection
Fatigue
Abdominal pain
Hypotension, diarrhea, arthralgia, back pain, hyperkalemia (heart failure)

Pregnancy Can cause fetal harm; discontinue as soon as pregnancy is detected.

Lactation Breastfeeding is not recommended.

Cost

Valsartan (DIOVAN)

What pharmacies pay · NADAC 9/30/26

Strength		#/mo	generic $/mo	CostPlus
40 mg	tab	30 qd	$2.89	offered
80 mg	tab	30 qd	$2.46	offered
160 mg	tab	30 qd	$3.18	offered
320 mg	tab	30 qd	$4.90	offered

Available combined with: Sacubitril (in ENTRESTO) · sacubitril / valsartan

Generic entry2014

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Memory aids: interaction avatars

Box: minimal PK interactions

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Self-check

Which drug is paired with valsartan in the combination described?
Sacubitril.
What electrolyte can rise with valsartan?
Potassium.