Valsartan

Valsartan (Angiotan or Diovan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (more commonly called an "ARB", or angiotensin receptor blocker), with particularly high affinity for the type I (AT₁) angiotensin receptor. By blocking the action of angiotensin, valsartan dilates blood vessels and reduces blood pressure. In the U.S., valsartan is indicated for treatment of high blood pressure, congestive heart failure (CHF), or post-myocardial infarction (MI). In 2005, Valsartan was prescribed more than 12 million times in the United States and global sales were approximately $6.1 billion in 2010. The patents for valsartan and valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide expired in September 2012.