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lithium vs valsartan

Side-by-side comparison of lithium and valsartan. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

moderate Known Drug Interaction

( 7.3 ) Lithium: Increased risk of lithium toxicity. 7.4 Lithium Increases in serum lithium concentrations and lithium toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Monitor serum lithium levels during concomitant use with ENTRESTO.

Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor your lithium levels closely to avoid lithium toxicity.

Drug Class
lithium Mood Stabilizer
valsartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Type
lithium Prescription
valsartan Prescription
Summary
lithium

Lithium is a mood stabilizer medicine. It helps to balance mood swings.

valsartan

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.

What It Treats
lithium

Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. Lithium helps to control the extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression) of this condition.

valsartan

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.

How It Works
lithium

Lithium affects the flow of sodium in nerve and muscle cells in the body. This helps to stabilize your mood. It may also affect other chemical messenger systems in the brain.

valsartan

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.

Common Side Effects
lithium
  • Tremor (shaking)
  • Nausea
  • Increased weight
  • Fatigue (feeling tired)
  • Vomiting
valsartan
  • Low blood pressure
  • High potassium levels in your blood
  • Cough
  • Dizziness
  • Kidney problems
FAERS Reports
lithium
  • Poisoning from different substances 2,179
  • The drug is reacting with another medicine 1,526
  • Shaking 1,463
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,344
  • Gaining weight 1,153
valsartan
  • Feeling tired 5,476
  • Feeling lightheaded 5,251
  • Difficulty breathing 5,251
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 5,164
  • Loose stools 4,581
Serious Warnings
lithium

Lithium levels in your blood need to be monitored closely by your doctor. Too much lithium can be toxic and cause serious side effects. Make sure to attend all scheduled blood tests.

valsartan

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.

Pregnancy
lithium

Lithium can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lithium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking lithium.

valsartan

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.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This lithium vs valsartan Comparison

lithium is classified in the Mood Stabilizer drug class, while valsartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. 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, lithium has 7,665 submissions while valsartan has 25,723. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to valsartan can make it harder for the body to get rid of lithium, which may lead to dangerously high lithium levels in the blood.. 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 lithium 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.