candesartan vs valsartan
Side-by-side comparison of candesartan and valsartan Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Atacand
Diovan
Candesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help treat heart failure.
Entresto is a medicine that combines two drugs to help adults and children with heart failure. It can lower the risk of death and hospitalization.
Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Candesartan also treats heart failure by reducing the risk of death and hospitalization.
Entresto is used to treat heart failure in adults and children aged one year and older. It helps people whose hearts don't pump blood well enough. It can reduce hospital visits and the risk of death from heart problems.
Candesartan blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps blood vessels relax and widens them. As a result, blood pressure is lowered and the heart can pump blood more easily.
Entresto works by blocking two substances in your body that can worsen heart failure. One substance is neprilysin, and the other is angiotensin II. By blocking these, Entresto helps your heart pump blood more easily and reduces strain.
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Back pain
- • Pharyngitis (sore throat)
- • Rhinitis (runny nose)
- • Low blood pressure
- • High potassium levels in your blood
- • Cough
- • Dizziness
- • Kidney problems
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 3,515
- Shortness of breath 3,169
- Tiredness 3,158
- Feeling sick to your stomach 2,989
- Loose stools 2,764
- The medicine is not working 6,228
- Feeling tired 5,476
- Feeling lightheaded 5,251
- Difficulty breathing 5,251
- Feeling sick to your stomach 5,164
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away. Candesartan can harm or cause death to your unborn baby.
Entresto can harm your unborn baby, even causing death. If you are pregnant or become pregnant, stop taking Entresto right away and tell your doctor.
Candesartan can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medicine.
Entresto can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Entresto.
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How to Read This candesartan vs valsartan Comparison
candesartan is classified in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) drug class, while valsartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, candesartan has 15,595 submissions while valsartan has 27,370. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between candesartan and valsartan — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.