VALSARTAN

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

Valsartan Adverse Events Show High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

196,487 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About VALSARTAN

VALSARTAN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Based on analysis of 196,487 FDA adverse event reports, VALSARTAN has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for VALSARTAN include DRUG INEFFECTIVE, FATIGUE, DYSPNOEA, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for VALSARTAN.

AI Safety Analysis

Valsartan has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 196,487 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Drug Ineffective, Fatigue, Dyspnoea. Of classified reports, 76.6% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. The majority of adverse events reported are serious, with a high percentage of cardiovascular and renal issues.

A wide range of reactions are reported, indicating a diverse safety profile. Common reactions include fatigue, dyspnea, and dizziness, which are frequently reported.

Patients taking Valsartan should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Valsartan may interact with other drugs, leading to adverse effects. Warnings include monitoring for drug interactions and renal function. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Valsartan received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 76.6% serious event ratio across 102,285 classified reports. The score accounts for 196,487 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DRUG INEFFECTIVE6,226 reports
FATIGUE5,474 reports
DYSPNOEA5,255 reports
DIZZINESS5,248 reports
NAUSEA5,161 reports
DIARRHOEA4,580 reports
HEADACHE4,505 reports
HYPERTENSION4,275 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED4,210 reports
PAIN3,805 reports
FALL3,603 reports
MALAISE3,587 reports
ASTHENIA3,585 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY3,145 reports
ARTHRALGIA2,971 reports
COUGH2,898 reports
OFF LABEL USE2,897 reports
VOMITING2,891 reports
PNEUMONIA2,840 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED2,833 reports
HYPOTENSION2,758 reports
DEATH2,733 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY2,614 reports
RENAL FAILURE2,507 reports
ANAEMIA2,461 reports
PYREXIA2,436 reports
PRURITUS2,184 reports
RASH2,170 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL2,145 reports
CHEST PAIN2,123 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT2,050 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE2,032 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION2,029 reports
INSOMNIA1,988 reports
BACK PAIN1,986 reports
ANXIETY1,981 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL1,962 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,952 reports
DRUG INTERACTION1,925 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED1,882 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN1,871 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE1,838 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED1,705 reports
MYALGIA1,675 reports
CONSTIPATION1,671 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION1,650 reports
DEPRESSION1,644 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER1,631 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION1,616 reports
DIABETES MELLITUS1,601 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,538 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE1,498 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS1,456 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE1,451 reports
DEHYDRATION1,444 reports
SYNCOPE1,403 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING1,372 reports
SOMNOLENCE1,352 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT1,335 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION1,301 reports
ERYTHEMA1,294 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT1,280 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED1,253 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE DECREASED1,202 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY1,192 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS1,192 reports
HYPONATRAEMIA1,178 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS1,167 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA1,160 reports
TREMOR1,157 reports
PALPITATIONS1,129 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT1,128 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE1,124 reports
DYSPEPSIA1,098 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY1,085 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED1,082 reports
ALOPECIA1,076 reports
ASTHMA1,067 reports
PARAESTHESIA1,061 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS1,047 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED1,046 reports
VISION BLURRED1,011 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS1,006 reports
JOINT SWELLING1,005 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT979 reports
BRONCHITIS975 reports
FLUSHING958 reports
HYPERKALAEMIA958 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE953 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE947 reports
ARRHYTHMIA942 reports
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT918 reports
CARDIAC DISORDER908 reports
MACULAR DEGENERATION900 reports
CONTUSION899 reports
ARTHRITIS893 reports
OSTEOARTHRITIS839 reports
SEPSIS825 reports
CATARACT799 reports
CHILLS795 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Acute kidney injury and renal failure are key safety signals, indicating potential renal toxicity.
  • Cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure are also significant.
  • Serious adverse events like death and sepsis are reported, highlighting the severity of some reactions.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 56,198, Male: 39,602, Unknown: 152. The most frequently reported age groups are age 71 (2,065 reports), age 74 (2,046 reports), age 70 (2,012 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 102,285 classified reports for VALSARTAN:

  • Serious: 78,324 reports (76.6%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 23,961 reports (23.4%)
Serious 76.6%Non-Serious 23.4%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female56,198 (58.6%)
Male39,602 (41.3%)
Unknown152 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 712,065 reports
Age 742,046 reports
Age 702,012 reports
Age 681,994 reports
Age 691,954 reports
Age 651,913 reports
Age 661,881 reports
Age 751,873 reports
Age 641,857 reports
Age 721,833 reports
Age 731,832 reports
Age 671,803 reports
Age 781,793 reports
Age 761,762 reports
Age 771,759 reports
Age 631,695 reports
Age 621,691 reports
Age 601,638 reports
Age 801,617 reports
Age 791,547 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Valsartan may interact with other drugs, leading to adverse effects. Warnings include monitoring for drug interactions and renal function.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Valsartan, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include drug ineffective, fatigue, dyspnoea, dizziness, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor for signs of renal impairment and cardiovascular issues, especially in elderly patients. Follow healthcare provider's advice on dosage and potential drug interactions. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

Regulatory authorities continue to monitor valsartan for safety, with ongoing investigations into potential issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Valsartan?

The FDA has received approximately 196,487 adverse event reports associated with Valsartan. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Valsartan?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Valsartan include Drug Ineffective, Fatigue, Dyspnoea, Dizziness, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Drug Ineffective (6,226 reports), Fatigue (5,474 reports), Dyspnoea (5,255 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Valsartan.

What percentage of Valsartan adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 102,285 classified reports, 78,324 (76.6%) were classified as serious and 23,961 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Valsartan (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Valsartan break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 56,198, Male: 39,602, Unknown: 152. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Valsartan?

The most frequently reported age groups for Valsartan adverse events are: age 71: 2,065 reports, age 74: 2,046 reports, age 70: 2,012 reports, age 68: 1,994 reports, age 69: 1,954 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Valsartan?

The primary manufacturer associated with Valsartan adverse event reports is Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Valsartan?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Valsartan include: Diarrhoea, Headache, Hypertension, Blood Pressure Increased, Pain. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Valsartan?

You can report adverse events from Valsartan to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Valsartan's safety score and what does it mean?

Valsartan has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. The majority of adverse events reported are serious, with a high percentage of cardiovascular and renal issues.

What are the key safety signals for Valsartan?

Key safety signals identified in Valsartan's adverse event data include: Acute kidney injury and renal failure are key safety signals, indicating potential renal toxicity.. Cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure are also significant.. Serious adverse events like death and sepsis are reported, highlighting the severity of some reactions.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Valsartan interact with other drugs?

Valsartan may interact with other drugs, leading to adverse effects. Warnings include monitoring for drug interactions and renal function. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Valsartan.

What should patients know before taking Valsartan?

Monitor for signs of renal impairment and cardiovascular issues, especially in elderly patients. Follow healthcare provider's advice on dosage and potential drug interactions.

Are Valsartan side effects well-documented?

Valsartan has 196,487 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. A wide range of reactions are reported, indicating a diverse safety profile. The volume of reports for Valsartan reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Valsartan?

Regulatory authorities continue to monitor valsartan for safety, with ongoing investigations into potential issues. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to VALSARTAN based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

LosartanIrbesartanIrbesartanIrbesartanIrbesartan
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.