The difference between Valsartan and Irbesartan

The main differences between Valsartan and Irbesartan are as follows:

1. Chemical structure: Valsartan is not converted into active metabolites in the body, whereas Irbesartan can be transformed into a metabolite that provides additional antihypertensive effects.

2. Therapeutic effects: Valsartan is primarily used for the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension and may improve cardiac function in patients with hypertension complicated by myocardial infarction or heart failure. In contrast, Irbesartan is used not only for essential hypertension but is especially suitable for patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy complicated by hypertension, as it can reduce urinary protein excretion.

3. Duration of drug effect: Valsartan has a longer half-life of approximately 6–9 hours, whereas Irbesartan has a half-life of about 11 hours, which may influence the duration of action and dosing frequency.

4. Drug metabolism: Valsartan is primarily eliminated via the kidneys, has fewer drug interactions, and is suitable for patients with hepatic insufficiency. Irbesartan, however, is mainly metabolized by liver enzymes, has more potential drug interactions, and should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function.

5. Drug side effects: Both medications may cause common adverse reactions such as dizziness, fatigue, and hypotension. However, individual variations are significant, and some patients may tolerate one drug better than the other.