Brand Names: Exforge HCT
Generic Name: amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan
- What is amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
- What are the possible side effects of this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
- What is the most important information I should know about this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
- What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
- How should I take this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
- What happens if I miss a dose (Exforge HCT)?
- What happens if I overdose (Exforge HCT)?
- What should I avoid while taking this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
- What other drugs will affect amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
- Where can I get more information (Exforge HCT)?
What is amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist.
Amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan is usually given after other treatments have failed.
Amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- an unusual skin rash;
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
- high or low potassium levels--leg cramps, nausea, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
- kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
- low magnesium level--dizziness, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms, cough or choking feeling; or
- low sodium level --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.
Common side effects may include:
- dizziness;
- headache, tiredness;
- nausea, upset stomach;
- stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat;
- back pain, muscle spasms; or
- swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, or if you are unable to urinate.
Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away.
If you have diabetes, do not use amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
SLIDESHOW
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, or valsartan, or if:
- you are allergic to any sulfa drug; or
- you are unable to urinate.
If you have diabetes, do not use amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
You may also need to avoid taking amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart problems;
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
- high blood levels of calcium;
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- liver disease;
- glaucoma;
- gout, or increased uric acid in your blood;
- lupus;
- gallstones; or
- a penicillin allergy.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.
You should not breastfeed while using amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan.
How should I take this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking this medicine or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan. This can lead to very low blood pressure, a serious electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.
Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medicine.
If you need surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time that you are using this medicine.
It may take up to 2 weeks before your blood pressure improves. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
QUESTION
Salt and sodium are the same. See AnswerWhat happens if I miss a dose (Exforge HCT)?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose (Exforge HCT)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking this medicine (Exforge HCT)?
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
What other drugs will affect amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect amlodipine and valsartan, especially:
- cyclosporine;
- lithium;
- simvastatin or other cholesterol medication;
- an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
- insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
- heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic ("water pill");
- a sleeping pill, muscle relaxer, or opioid pain medicine;
- seizure medicine;
- steroid medicine;
- cancer medicine--cyclophosphamide, methotrexate; or
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and others.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information (Exforge HCT)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan.
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