[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/angiotensin-ii-receptor-blockers/) › Valsartan

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/angiotensin-ii-receptor-blockers/)

# Valsartan

An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Used for high blood pressure, heart failure and after a heart attack, without the ACE-inhibitor cough.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/angiotensin-ii-receptor-blockers/)
- Receptor: Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor
- ATC code: C09CA03

◎**Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor**Valsartan

ⓘ The figure shows olmesartan, another ARB, in the same binding pocket of the human AT1 receptor; no structure with valsartan bound is available.

**Target in 3D:** Angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. PDB structure 4ZUD (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/4ZUD) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Valsartan blocks the AT1 receptor, so angiotensin II cannot constrict arterioles, release aldosterone or drive remodelling of the heart and vessels. Blood pressure falls and less sodium is retained. ACE keeps working, so bradykinin does not build up and cough is rare.

- Valsartan blocks the AT1 receptor of angiotensin II
- Arterioles dilate and aldosterone falls
- Blood pressure falls; bradykinin is not raised

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Low and variable oral bioavailability

**Metabolism**
Barely metabolised

**Elimination**
Mainly in bile and faeces

**Half-life**
About 6 hours

## Indications

- High blood pressure [Arterial hypertension →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/arterial-hypertension/)
- Heart failure [Heart failure →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/heart-failure/)
- Left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction [Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/myocardial-infarction/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Dizziness and hypotension
- Hyperkalaemia
- Rise in creatinine
- Fatigue

### Serious (rare, important)

- Acute kidney injury, especially with renal artery stenosis or volume depletion
- Angioedema (rare)
- Fetal toxicity

## Contraindications

- Pregnancy
- Hypersensitivity to the drug
- Use with aliskiren in people with diabetes

## Key interactions

**Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements or salt substitutes**
Hyperkalaemia

**NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors**
Weaker effect and risk of kidney injury

**Lithium**
Higher lithium levels and toxicity

## What is monitored

- Blood pressure
- Potassium and creatinine

## Administration and safety

- Given by mouth, with or without food
- Valsartan alone and the sacubitril/valsartan combination are different products and are not swapped

## Nursing care

- Check blood pressure, potassium and creatinine when starting and after changes
- Watch for dizziness, especially in patients on diuretics
- Ask women of childbearing age about pregnancy plans
- Teach the patient to avoid potassium salt substitutes unless prescribed

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Contraindicated: drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system can injure and kill the developing fetus; it is stopped as soon as pregnancy is detected.

## Memory aid

VALSARTAN keeps the VALve shut on AT1 but leaves ACE alone: no bradykinin, no cough.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why do ARBs like valsartan rarely cause cough?

They block the AT1 receptor and leave ACE working, so bradykinin is not raised.

## Which electrolyte is checked after starting valsartan?

Potassium, because lower aldosterone reduces potassium excretion.

## Which ARB is part of the ARNI combination used in heart failure?

Valsartan, combined with the neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/valsartan/)

## Related drugs

- [Losartan](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/losartan/)
- [Sacubitril/valsartan](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sacubitril-valsartan/)
- [Candesartan](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/candesartan/)

## Related conditions

- [Arterial hypertension](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/arterial-hypertension/)
- [Heart failure](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/heart-failure/)
- [Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/myocardial-infarction/)

[← Back to the class: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/angiotensin-ii-receptor-blockers/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - VALSARTAN tablet, film coated](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fe93bfef-6beb-49c2-a423-add96919d72d) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=C09CA03) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/valsartan/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/valsartan/