From the Research
Valsartan is not a primary cause of bowel disease, but it may be beneficial in treating certain bowel conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, when used in combination with other medications, as shown in a recent study 1. The most recent and highest quality study, published in 2021, found that combination therapy with sulfasalazine and valsartan had anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities in experimentally induced colitis, indicating its potential value as a therapeutic option for the treatment of colitis 1. Some common gastrointestinal side effects of valsartan include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea These symptoms are usually mild and transient, often resolving within a few weeks as the body adjusts to the medication. If you experience persistent or severe gastrointestinal symptoms while taking valsartan, you should consult your healthcare provider rather than discontinuing the medication on your own. Your doctor may recommend taking valsartan with food to reduce stomach irritation, temporarily lowering the dose, or switching to an alternative angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) with a different side effect profile. The gastrointestinal effects of valsartan are thought to be related to how ARBs affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which has receptors throughout the digestive tract. While valsartan can cause temporary bowel disturbances, there is no strong evidence linking it to the development of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases or other serious gastrointestinal conditions, as noted in earlier studies 2, 3, 4, 5.