Valsartan is a medication that treats hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure (when your heart can't pump a sufficient amount of blood through your body). It can also be used to decrease the risk of death after suffering a heart attack, states Drugs.com. Valsartan works to dilate your blood vessels to allow normal blood flow through your body. In the event your doctor prescribes valsartan, investigate its side effects.
Serious Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, valsartan can lead to fainting spells, chest pain, tachycardia (fast heartbeats) and numbness or tingling. In some cases, you may develop swelling or weight gain. Valsartan can also lead to skeletal muscle breakdown. Symptoms of this breakdown include muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, fever, nausea and vomiting. You may also have dark urine and develop renal failure. Seek immediate medical help if you experience these symptoms.
Common Side Effects
RxList.com states that common side effects include headache and joint pain. You may also develop dizziness, a respiratory infection, cough or diarrhea. In some instances you may get a sore throat, a sinus infection or rhinitis (allergic condition characterized by runny nose and irritation of your moist mucous membranes).
Allergic Reaction
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing and the development of red itchy welts all over your body, according to Drugs.com. You may also experience swelling of your face, throat and lips. Get immediate medical help to reverse these symptoms.
Effects on Pregnancy
Valsartan can lead to serious harm to your unborn baby, states RxList.com. It may lead to injury within the womb and neonatal skull hypoplasia (decreased skull size), states RxList.com. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking valsartan.
Overdose
Get immediate medical attention if you overdose on valsartan. Symptoms of an overdose include bradycardia (slow heartbeat), tachycardia and fainting spells.
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