Exforge

Pronunciation: am-LOE-di-peen/val-SAR-tan
Generic Name: Amlodipine/Valsartan
Brand Name: Exforge

Exforge may cause birth defects or fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Exforge is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Exforge is a calcium channel blocker and angiotensin II receptor blocker combination. It works by relaxing the blood vessels.

Do NOT use Exforge if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Exforge


• you are pregnant

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Exforge:

Some medical conditions may interact with Exforge. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are a woman of childbearing age


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of angioedema (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with another angiotensin II receptor blocker (eg, losartan) or an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, lisinopril)


• if you are dehydrated, have low blood volume, or low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet


• if you have gallbladder, liver, or kidney problems; low blood pressure; blood vessel problems; or heart problems (eg, angina, heart failure, narrowing of heart blood vessels)


• if you have a history of stroke or heart attack


• if you have diabetes and you are also taking aliskiren


• if you are on dialysis or will be having surgery


• if you are taking another medicine for blood pressure or heart problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Exforge. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) or sildenafil because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased


• Aliskiren, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), or potassium supplements because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• ACE inhibitors (eg, lisinopril) because the risk of kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib) because they make decrease Exforge's effectiveness and the risk of serious kidney problems may be increased


• Conivaptan, cyclosporine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), itraconazole, ketoconazole, or rifampin because they may increase the risk of Exforge's side effects


• Lithium or simvastatin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Exforge

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Exforge may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Exforge:

Use Exforge as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Exforge. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Exforge by mouth with or without food.


• Take Exforge on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Exforge at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• If you miss a dose of Exforge, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Exforge.

Important safety information:

• Exforge may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Exforge with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Exforge may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• It may take up to 2 weeks or more for Exforge to work fully. Do not stop using Exforge or change your dose of Exforge without checking with your doctor.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• If vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating occur, you will need to take care not to become dehydrated. This could increase your risk of low blood pressure. Contact your doctor for instructions.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Exforge before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about all of your blood pressure medicines and how to use them. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any blood pressure medicine unless your doctor tells you to.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure, kidney function, and blood electrolyte levels, may be performed while you use Exforge. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Exforge with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Exforge should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Exforge may cause birth defects, or fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Exforge is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Exforge.

Possible side effects of Exforge:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; sore throat or discomfort when swallowing; stuffy nose; upper respiratory tract infection (head or chest cold).

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); burning, numbness, or tingling; change in the amount of urine produced; chest, jaw, or left arm pain; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; numbness and tingling of an arm or leg; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent muscle pain or aches; shortness of breath; sudden, severe headache or vomiting; sudden, unexplained weight gain; sudden vision changes; swelling of the feet, ankles, or hands; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, severe or persistent stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Exforge side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; fast or slow heartbeat; flushing; severe dizziness.

Proper storage of Exforge:

Store Exforge at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Exforge out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Exforge, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Exforge is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Exforge. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Exforge resources

• Exforge Side Effects (in more detail)
• Exforge Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Exforge Drug Interactions
• Exforge Support Group
• 27 Reviews for Exforge - Add your own review/rating

• Exforge Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Exforge Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Exforge Consumer Overview

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