Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Valsartan
Brand names: Diovan
Adult dose
Dose: HTN: 80–160mg PO OD. HF: 40mg PO BD initially, target 160mg BD
Route: PO
Frequency: OD-BD
Dose adjustments
Renal
Use cautiously
Clinical pearls
- Hypertension, HFrEF, post-MI
- Replaced by sacubitril-valsartan in many HFrEF patients
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Bilateral renal artery stenosis
- Severe hepatic impairment
- Cholestasis
Side effects
- Hypotension
- Hyperkalaemia
- Renal impairment
- Dizziness
- Angioedema (rare)
Interactions
- NSAIDs
- K-sparing diuretics
- Lithium
- ACEi (avoid combination)
Monitoring
- U&E
- BP
Reference: BNF; NICE NG136/NG106; ESC; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/valsartan/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Pathways
- Acute Heart Failure · ESC 2021 Heart Failure Guidelines; NICE NG106
- NSTEMI / Unstable Angina · ESC 2020 NSTEMI Guidelines; NICE NG185
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines