Exforge

Generic Name: amlodipine and valsartan (am LOE de peen val SAR tan)
Brand Names: Exforge

What is Exforge?

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Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Valsartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Exforge is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Exforge is usually given after others have been tried without successful treatment of hypertension.

Exforge may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Exforge

Do not use Exforge without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Valsartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using Exforge and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Exforge, unless your doctor has told you to. Call your doctor at once if you have swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain, fast or pounding heartbeats, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, or if you feel like you might pass out.

Before taking Exforge

You should not use Exforge if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc) or valsartan (Diovan).

Before using Exforge, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
congestive heart failure;
if you are vomiting or having diarrhea; or
if you have recently had a heart attack.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Exforge, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

If you are also taking a beta-blocker drug (such as Blocadren, Corgard, Inderal, Normodyne, Tenormin, Toprol, Trandate, Zibeta, and others) do not suddenly stop using the beta-blocker without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. Stopping a beta-blocker too quickly can cause serious heart problems that will not be prevented by Exforge. FDA pregnancy category D. Exforge can cause harm to an unborn baby. Valsartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Do not use Exforge without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using Exforge and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Exforge passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Exforge without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Exforge?

Take Exforge exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from Exforge.

Take Exforge with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

To be sure Exforge is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to undergo kidney dialysis or have any type of surgery, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using Exforge.

Keep using Exforge even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store Exforge at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, warmth or tingling, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Exforge?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Exforge, unless your doctor has told you to.

Exforge side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling like you might pass out;
swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain;
fast or pounding heartbeats;
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling.

Less serious side effects include:

dizziness, spinning sensation;
runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;
warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain;
dry mouth, loss of appetite;
joint or muscle pain; or
anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia).

This list is not complete, and other side effects may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effects.

What other drugs will affect Exforge?

Before taking Exforge, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

heart medication;
potassium supplements or salt substitutes;
diuretics (water pills); or
other medications that lower blood pressure.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Exforge, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Exforge. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Exforge.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children. Never share your medicines with others and only use this medication for the condition prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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