Interactions of the AT1 antagonist valsartan with dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine bilayers

► Valsartan, an antihypertensive drug with high affinity to the AT1 receptor. ► A combination of DSC, Raman spectroscopy and SAXS/WAXS is applied. ► Interactions of valsartan (0 to 20 mol%) with a model membrane system are presented. ► The localization of the drug molecule in the membranes induces lipid interdigitation. ► Valsartans' thermal and structural effects are illustrated on a molecular level.