Fetal toxicity of valsartan and possible reversible adverse side effects

BACKGROUND Published cases suggest that the use of angiotensin II receptor antagonists is fetotoxic during the third trimester, but not in early pregnancy. CASE: We report a case in which the adverse fetal effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist treatment was reversed. A woman with chronic hypertension was treated with valsartan until gestation week (GW) 20, when a complete anhydramnios was observed. Six days after interruption of the treatment, amniotic fluid reappeared. It reached a normal level at GW 23.5. The plasmatic creatinine level and the renal ultrasound examination were within normal limits at the six‐month follow‐up. CONCLUSIONS Whereas angiotensin‐II‐receptor antagonist generates a severe renal toxicity, this case suggests that, at least in the first half of pregnancy, these effects can be reversed. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 67:, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.