Is insomnia a side effect of valsartan?
7) ACE inhibitors
Table of Contents
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs) like valsartan (Diovan) are two of the most popular drug classes for treating high blood pressure. But they both have a risk of causing insomnia for interesting reasons.

Can you take Diovan while pregnant?
Do not take valsartan if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while you are taking valsartan, stop taking valsartan and call your doctor immediately. Valsartan may cause death or serious injury to the fetus when taken in the last 6 months of pregnancy.
Should I take Diovan in the morning or at night?
If you take it once a day, your doctor may suggest that you take your first dose before bedtime, because it can make you feel dizzy. After the very first dose, you can take valsartan at any time, although it’s best to take it at the same time every day.
What are the most common side effects of Diovan?

Common side effects of Diovan include:
- headache,
- dizziness,
- lightheadedness,
- tiredness,
- flu symptoms,
- upper respiratory infection,
- diarrhea,
- cold symptoms (cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat),
Why do blood pressure meds cause insomnia?
Prescription Medicines
Beta-blockers treat high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, and chest pain. They also appear to lower your body’s level of melatonin, a hormone that helps control your sleep cycle. That can make you wake up at night and give you nightmares.
Is insomnia a side effect of blood pressure medication?
Connor says blood pressure drugs like ACE inhibitors might cause insomnia because they induce dry cough, leg cramps, restless leg syndrome, and other symptoms that in many people can interrupt sleep. Talk to your provider if you’re experiencing sleep disturbances from taking a beta blocker or ACE inhibitor.
What is the safest blood pressure medication during pregnancy?
Methyldopa has been used for decades to treat high blood pressure in pregnancy and it appears to be safe.
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For the initial treatment of high blood pressure in pregnancy, these are the most commonly used and recommended medications:
- Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate)
- Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat)
- Methyldopa (Aldomet)
What pregnancy category is Diovan?
Teratogenic Effects: Pregnancy Category D Diovan, like other drugs that act on the renin angiotensin system, can cause fetal and neonatal morbidity and death when used during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Diovan can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.
Does valsartan help you sleep?
Results from multiple studies indicate that valerian — a tall, flowering grassland plant — may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and help you sleep better. Of the many valerian species, only the carefully processed roots of the Valeriana officinalis have been widely studied.
What foods should I avoid while taking valsartan?
Potential Negative Interaction
Potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes (No Salt, Morton Salt Substitute, and others), and even high-potassium foods (including Noni juice) should be avoided by those taking valsartan, unless directed otherwise by their doctor.
Why is Diovan off the market?
NDMA Cancer Risk
The FDA recalled some valsartan products because it found traces of NDMA, a chemical that can cause tumors in animals and may potentially cause cancer in humans.
How long does it take for the side effects of valsartan to go away?
Signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity resolved within 2 to 3 weeks following discontinuation of valsartan and the patient remained asymptomatic after 6 months of follow-up.
Can high blood pressure medication keep you awake at night?
Is insomnia a symptom of high blood pressure?
Hypertension and insomnia are very common and often coexist. There is evidence to suggest that the increasing prevalence of arterial hypertension in the past decade might be related both to an increased prevalence of insomnia and to the decline of sleep duration due to modern lifestyle.
What is the first drug of choice for hypertension in pregnancy?
Background: Hydralazine, labetalol, and nifedipine are the recommended first-line treatments for severe hypertension in pregnancy.
What is considered high BP in pregnancy?
What is gestational hypertension? You have gestational hypertension when: You have a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and/or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. The high blood pressure first happens after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Can valsartan cause birth defects?
Does valsartan have a calming effect?
Valsartan reverses depressive/anxiety-like behavior and induces hippocampal neurogenesis and expression of BDNF protein in unpredictable chronic mild stress mice.
Is it OK to eat bananas while taking valsartan?
People taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs should limit their intake of high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, avocados, tomatoes, white and sweet potatoes and dried fruits —, especially apricots.
Can Diovan be stopped suddenly?
If you stop taking it suddenly: Don’t stop taking this drug without talking to your doctor. Stopping it suddenly may cause your blood pressure to spike. This may increase your chance for a heart attack or stroke. If you don’t take it on schedule: Your blood pressure may not improve or may get worse.
Who should not take Diovan?
Diovan is not recommended for pediatric patients under 6 years of age due to safety findings for which a relationship to treatment could not be excluded [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Why is it better to take valsartan at night?
However, valsartan administration at bedtime as opposed to on wakening resulted in an improved sleep time–relative BP decline (or diurnal/nocturnal BP ratio), a greater efficacy in decreasing nocturnal BP, and a significant increase in the percentage of patients with controlled BP after treatment.
Why do I wake up at night with high blood pressure?
A rise in blood pressure overnight to early morning has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. An irregular blood pressure pattern could also mean that you have: Poorly controlled high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea.
Can blood pressure tablets cause insomnia?
Can’t sleep even though sleep deprived?
The bottom line. If you’re tired but can’t sleep, it may be a sign that your circadian rhythm is off. However, being tired all day and awake at night can also be caused by poor napping habits, anxiety, depression, caffeine consumption, blue light from devices, sleep disorders, and even diet.