Amlodipine vs. Valsartan

See how Amlodipine and Valsartan compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Amlodipine relaxes blood vessel walls directly, while valsartan blocks a hormone that tightens them, so they lower blood pressure through different pathways.

  • Amlodipine also treats angina and coronary artery disease, while valsartan is also approved for heart failure and for improving survival after a heart attack.

  • A calcium channel blocker plus an ARB is a common two-drug combination for blood pressure that isn't controlled by either medication alone.

Amlodipine vs. Valsartan Drug Summary

Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure and angina. It relaxes blood vessel walls so the heart doesn't have to work as hard, and it's taken as one tablet by mouth once a day.

Valsartan

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for high blood pressure, heart failure, and after a heart attack. It blocks a hormone that narrows blood vessels, and it's taken as one tablet by mouth once a day.

Amlodipine vs. Valsartan Side Effects

Amlodipine

Most common
Edema (up to 10.8%)
Palpitations (up to 4.5%)
Dizziness (up to 3.4%)
Flushing (up to 2.6%)

Valsartan

Most common
Headache (up to 14%)
Dizziness (up to 14%)
Viral infection (up to 3%)
Fatigue (up to 2%)

Amlodipine vs. Valsartan Dosage

Amlodipine

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 2.5 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 10 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Valsartan

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 80 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose Up to 320 mg daily If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Amlodipine vs. Valsartan Indications

Amlodipine

Amlodipine is FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure, chronic stable angina, and vasospastic (Prinzmetal's) angina. It is also approved to reduce the risk of hospitalization and revascularization procedures in people with coronary artery disease.

  • Hypertension, alone or with other medications

  • Chronic stable angina

  • Vasospastic (Prinzmetal's) angina

  • Coronary artery disease (reduces hospitalization risk)

Valsartan

Valsartan is FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure in adults and children age 1 and older. It is also approved for heart failure and to improve survival after a heart attack in patients with reduced heart function.

  • Hypertension in adults and children 1 and older

  • Heart failure (NYHA class II-IV)

  • Post-heart attack, to reduce cardiovascular death

  • Often combined with a diuretic for added BP control

Amlodipine vs. Valsartan Pros and Cons

Amlodipine

Amlodipine has one of the longest track records of any blood pressure medication and does not need dose changes for kidney problems. Its main drawback is dose-related ankle and leg swelling, and it needs to be introduced carefully in people with severe coronary artery disease.

Pros

  • Long half-life means a missed dose is well tolerated

  • No kidney dose adjustment needed

  • Also approved for angina, useful if both conditions overlap

  • Decades of real-world safety data since 1987

Cons

  • Leg and ankle swelling is common and dose-related

  • Can cause flushing and heart palpitations in some patients

  • May worsen angina if started or increased abruptly in severe coronary artery disease

Valsartan

Valsartan is also approved for heart failure and for improving survival after a heart attack, giving it uses beyond blood pressure alone. Because it acts on the kidneys' hormone system, it requires periodic blood tests for kidney function and potassium, and it cannot be used during pregnancy.

Pros

  • Also treats heart failure and improves survival after a heart attack

  • Does not cause the ankle swelling common with calcium channel blockers

  • Available in combination pills with a diuretic for added control

  • Low rate of dry cough compared with ACE inhibitors

Cons

  • Requires periodic blood tests for kidney function and potassium

  • Cannot be used during pregnancy and must be stopped if it occurs

  • Higher doses (320 mg) raise the risk of dizziness

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.