Diovan and hair loss

Well, I've had some hair loss on Diovan 80mg. been on it since about May 08 - had some leg cramps, even some joint pain, but that seems to have reconciled itself. Not too overly dizzy, some tiredness, but ok otherwise. However, got concerned about the hair loss....long/short, Dr. prescribed Toprol XL/Beta Blocker (he's been great recognizing my sensitivity to meds. I just am),...well, my God, just reading the Toprol printout first paragraph and let me tell you it ain't gonna happen, I am not taking that stuff....plus, it causes hair loss, DUH! In fairness, how can we expect the Drs. to know fully all the side affects, they are not pharmacists - best thing, educate yourself first with websites like this, and the FDA site before you ever fill a prescription again. Anyway, I'm going to stick with Diovan for a while longer and see how things go - will post again. Hang in there, because there's even worse out there!

OK guys, I have been reading all your side effects for a couple of weeks now, and finally decided to jump into this pot! You will not believe this, but I have been on Diovan 80 mg twice a day along with a couple of other blood pressure medications. It's been about 2 years, maybe a little less, and for the past 10-12 months, I have complained to my doctor that my joints and muscles ache so much that I feel like a 100 year old person. I also have has every side effect mentioned on the 9 pages listed here with all of you. I have had every test imaginable for artery's/veins/muscles/joints/sleeplessness/hair loss/weight gain/swollen ankles...you name it, I've been tested for it. They can find nothing wrong with me at all. NOTHING! I'm sure they feel that it's all in my head, since I've been quite sensitive to a lot of meds. in the past!

I am usually very active and run around like a crazy woman most of the time, but I was absolutely walking like I'd been hit by a truck. I went to my doctor with all of the complaints listed under Diovan printed out, and believe me, she took notice. We stopped Diovan that night and I started on a couple of new meds. that have absolutely no side effects. It will be two weeks this coming Wednesday (June 4) and I am almost a new person. I'd say, about 98% pain free. I actually felt relief after being off for about 5 days. It's getting better day by day. I actually feel that this stuff was killing me slowly. Get off asap!
By the way, I tried to look up the new meds, and they are so new that I can't find anything. For me, they are an answer to prayer.

FOR THE LAST 2 YRS OFF & ON I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE KILLER DRUG DIOVAN 160/12.5 MG AND, YES IT'S BEEN TERRIBLE!!!!!!!!! WHERE DO I START ....... CHEST PAIN,HAIR LOSS, LEG CRAMPS, SORE FEET, BACK PAIN, ARM PAIN, KNEE PAIN , SHORTNESS OF BREATH . LAST YR MY LEGS HURT SO BAD MY DOCTOR STARTED TO PUT ME ON MEDICATION FOR RLS ( RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME) ......PLEASE IF YOU JUST STARTED THIS MED STOP RIGHT NOW !! GET YOU SOME APPLE CIDER VINEGAR W/ MOTHER(MOTHER) TAKE 2 TEASPOON W/ 8OZ GLASS OF WATER OR JUICE 3 TIMES A DAY AND, WATCH YOUR BP DROP AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS YOUR BP SHOULD BE NORMAL THEN START TAKING IT ONLY IN THE MORNING AND AT NIGHT

I have been taking Diovan HCT 160 for the past 4 years and did not realize the side effects I am experiencing is from this medication. After reading comments from this site I now realize why I am having hair loss, lower back pains, fatigue, sleepless nights, weight gain, palpitations, anxiety, excessive gas, depression, daily joint and body pains. Just about everything on this page is what I have been going through. Has it maintained my BP, Yes! I have gone from 150/100 to 120/80.
I am so glad I came across this site. I will be speaking with my PCP, ASAP.

I have had like spasms and acheness in my left right arm--i am right handed. i also have had hair loss, fatigue, chills. my dose was uped to 320, my bp used to be near 140/89--I now have 106/49!!! hoping the dr wi;; try to wean mw off of it. i take fish oil, and lately, i/ve taken the cloves of garlic--and a go0od breath freshner!! the garlic is also good if you have hugh cholesterol!

since taking diovan, 2 weeks 80 mg Bp has dropped, but delveloped swollen sore nipples, and dry eyes, this is not a good thing. will definately stop taking it.

I started taking Diovan about 9 years ago. At the time my doctor prescribed it because the medicine I had been on (Lotensin) was causing me to hack and cough (which was keeping me up all night long).

I started out at 80mg & then 3 years ago my bp began creeping up. I was then prescribed a 80mg dosage with 12.5 diurectic. I am now taking one 160mg/12.5 & one 80mg/12.5 pill each day.

Since I have been on Diovan I have experienced significant, yet unexplained weight gain (approximately 150 lbs), drastic hair loss, insomnia, itchy skin and more recently, brittle teeth (2 of which have broken off).

Over the years I have been blamed by the doctors for not taking control of my weight. Yet with swimming 4-5 days a week, walking & using an elliptical machine, and changing my diet (and eliminating processed/bleached food) I could only get down to 220lbs.

At this point, I do not know where to turn for advice. The doctors use more meds to mask the side effects of other meds & I have yet to find one that doesn't play into that mindset.

I shall stop it NOW. When I take it and go to work I do not feel my heart pumping that hard all over my body and feel sligh discomfort in my lower neck (left side). When I fasted this Ramadan and I had to take ot before bed time, I felt like I was gonna die and I had my heart beating hardly in my mouth. This is my last bill and I shall go and excercise. I shall bye an excercise machine. Thanks to all of you. Damn! Weight Gain and Hair Loss, I think YES too:(

I just started Diovan for just a couple of days but am dizzy quite a bit. I thought maybe this would pass in a couple of weeks. But now reading other side effects I am afraid to continue. The hair loss and weight gain, that really scares me.

Please, does anyone have something good to say about this medication. I think I will stop until Monday and call my doctor about these side effects.

I have been taking Diovan for 9 Months and have experienced several side effects that i was not aware of that were caused from Diovan. Number one weight gain 25lbs in 9 months,Lower back pain, dry eyes and some hair loss. I have contacted my doctor today and had blood tests for possible liver damage. I will get the results in two days. I am changing medications. I am looking for a natural way to lower my blood pressure maybe through diet and exercise. I exercise 3 to 4 days a week and i eat healthy but continue to gain 2to3 lbs a month. Who knows the souluion? I just want to be free of medication!!

Diovan lowered my blood-pressure,but rapid weight gain,can't sleep at night and hair loss forced me to discontinue the medication.

I started taking Diovan after trouble with Lisinop (bad cough!) and Hydrochlorozide (didn't work). At first I took one tab a day, but after a month, my BP was not low enough to keep my Dr. happy, so dosage was increased to two a day. I became so exhausted I could not get up off of the couch. I would lay there and try and will myself to get up and do the dishes or something simple. I just didn't feel like myself. Then I found myself lying in bed at night thinking about how I didn't want to go on this way and what would be the easiest way to do away with myself! Now this just isn't me! I immediately quit taking the Diovan and insisted to my Dr. that I will never take it again. Within two weeks I was feeling more normal. Now I am on Toprol, better energy level, but my feet are really sore...guess I will have to wait and see.