OBJECTIVE：To observe the efficacy and safety of valsartan combined with prednisone in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS： 50 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were randomly divided into control group and observation group. Control group was orally given 0.5 mg/（kg·d） Prednisone acetate tablet in 1-4 weeks， then maintained with 0.125 mg/（kg·d） in 5-12 neeks， 2-3 times a day； observation group was additionally given 80 mg Valsartan capsule， orally， once a day. The treatment course for both groups was 6 months. Pulmonary function indicators [forced vital capacity （FVC）， peak expiratory flow rate （PEFR），and forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1）]，serum inflammatory factor indicators [interleukin-13（IL-13）， IL-18， transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1）] level， matrix metalloproteinase -9 （MMP-9）， MMP-2 contents and the incidence of adverse reactions in 2 groups were observed. RESULTS： The total effective rate in observation group was significantly higher than control group， the difference was statistically significant（P＜0.05）. Before treatment， there were no significant differences in the pulmonary function indicators， serum inflammatory factor indicators， MMP-9 and MMP-2 contents between 2 groups（P＞0.05）； after treatment， pulmonary function indicators in 2 groups were significantly higher than before， and observation group was higher than control group， MMP-9 and MMP-2 contents were significantly lower than before， and observation group was lower than control group（P＜0.05）. And there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between 2 groups（P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： Valsartan combined with prednisone can significantly improve the pulmonary function of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis， and reduce the contents of serum inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases， with good safety.