Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCT Novartis (Amlodipine Besilate, Valsartan, And Hydrochlorothiazide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCT Novartis Used For?
Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCT Novartis is a combination blood pressure medication that contains three active ingredients working together to control high blood pressure (hypertension).
Primary Uses
This medication is used to control high blood pressure, also called hypertension. It is only prescribed for patients who have already successfully used the combination of valsartan, amlodipine besilate, and hydrochlorothiazide individually, and serves as a convenient single tablet replacement for these three separate medicines.
How It Works
The three ingredients work in different ways to reduce blood pressure: Valsartan blocks the effect of angiotensin II, a substance that tightens blood vessels and raises blood pressure. When blocked, blood vessels relax and blood pressure decreases. Amlodipine besilate blocks calcium movement into heart and blood vessel cells, causing them to relax and increasing blood and oxygen supply to the heart while reducing its workload. Hydrochlorothiazide helps reduce excess fluid in the body by increasing urine production, which helps lower blood pressure.
Good to know: People with high blood pressure often feel well and don’t notice any signs of the problem, so it’s important to continue taking this medication even when you feel fine.
How to Take Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCT Novartis
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It’s important to take it consistently at the same time each day to maintain steady blood pressure control.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet daily. Your doctor will determine the exact dose based on your response to treatment and may adjust it higher or lower as needed. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. You can take it with or without food, but it works best if you always take it the same way each day. Take it at the same time daily, preferably as part of your usual routine like at breakfast time. Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel well.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If you remember earlier, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this may increase your risk of side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Persistent ringing in the ears
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea, constipation, or wind
- Muscle or joint pain or tenderness
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea, vomiting
- Dry cough
- Sore throat, hoarse voice
- Runny or blocked nose
- Blistering skin
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling anxious or sad
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Problems with sexual function
- Breast enlargement in men
- Unusual hair loss or thinning
- Dry mouth
- Bleeding, tender or enlarged gums
- Excessive sweating
- Rash, redness, or itching
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Swelling of hands, feet, or limbs
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Severe dizziness
- Signs of liver disease: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of skin and eyes, dark colored urine
- Constant flu-like symptoms
- Signs of allergy: rash, itching, hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts, fever, shortness of breath, wheezing, troubled breathing
- Bleeding or bruising more easily
- Severe dizziness or fainting
Important Warnings
Before taking this medication, it’s crucial to inform your doctor about your medical history and current health conditions to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCT Novartis
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to valsartan, amlodipine besilate, hydrochlorothiazide, dihydropyridines, or sulfonamide-derived medicines. Do not use if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, have severe kidney disease or are on dialysis, have liver problems caused by bile duct blockage or other severe liver problems, have cholestasis (reduced or stopped bile flow), have anuria (inability to urinate), have high uric acid levels that may cause gout, have low potassium or sodium levels or high calcium levels in your blood, or are taking other blood pressure medications containing aliskiren and have type 2 diabetes.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or received a kidney transplant, liver problems, systemic lupus erythematosus, heart problems including obstructed blood flow or enlarged heart septum, primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome), previous swelling of face and throat while taking other medicines, current vomiting or diarrhea, reduced urine output or difficulty urinating, are on a salt-restricted diet, have skin cancer, or have breathing or lung problems including previous inflammation or fluid in lungs from hydrochlorothiazide use.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Like other similar medicines, it could affect your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, tell your doctor immediately. If you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Hydrochlorothiazide and amlodipine pass into breast milk, and it’s unknown if valsartan does.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCT Novartis and affect how it works. Always inform your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice as it can affect the metabolism of amlodipine.
- Other blood pressure medications including diuretics, ACE-inhibitors, aliskiren, and beta blockers
- Simvastatin (cholesterol medication) – dose may need reduction
- Intravenous dantrolene for malignant hyperthermia
- Antibiotics (rifamycins), anti-rejection drugs (Cyclosporin), antiretrovirals (Ritonavir)
- Potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium
- Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as Celebrex, Voltaren, Indocid
- Calcium-containing medicines or supplements
- Vitamin D
- Muscle relaxants used before or during surgery
- Steroid medicines such as cortisone, prednisone, ACTH
- Lithium, antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers
- Cyclophosphamide or methotrexate
- Penicillin
- Amphotericin (antifungal medicine)
- Insulin and diabetes tablets
- Gout medications
- Cyclosporine
- Carbamazepine (anticonvulsant)
- Digoxin or other digitalis glycosides
- Antiarrhythmics (heart rhythm medications)
- Medicines for esophageal ulceration and inflammation
- Amantadine and anti-Parkinson therapy
- Cancer therapy cytotoxic drugs
- Anticholinergic agents
- Cholestyramine, colestipol, and other resins
- Pressor amines such as noradrenaline
- Barbiturates, narcotics, alcohol
- Radioactive iodine
Alcohol & Driving
This medication can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to ensure your safety and that of others.
Alcohol
Alcohol is listed among substances that may interact with this medication. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how this medication affects you. It may cause tiredness, sleepiness, or dizziness in some people. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous. If the medicine makes you feel dizzy or light-headed, be careful when getting up from sitting or lying positions. Dizziness can usually be prevented by getting up slowly and flexing leg muscles and toes to get blood flowing. When getting out of bed, dangle your legs over the side for a minute or two before standing up.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original container until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C (room temperature) away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills, as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half meters above ground is ideal. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCT Novartis, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Taking too much may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint. You may experience rapid, shallow breathing or cold, clammy skin, and your heartbeat may be faster than usual due to low blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works to control blood pressure, but people with high blood pressure often feel well and don’t notice signs of the problem. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and kidney and liver function over time to track your progress.
Yes, you can take it with or without food, but it will work best if you always take it the same way every day. Taking it as part of your usual routine, like at breakfast time, can help you remember.
You should continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel well. Do not stop using this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor says you can. Always speak to your doctor before deciding to stop taking this medication.
Alcohol is listed among substances that may interact with this medication. You should consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to. Otherwise, take the dose as soon as you remember and then go back to taking it normally. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
No, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice as it can affect the metabolism of amlodipine, one of the active ingredients in this medication.
Tell your doctor about all medical conditions including kidney or liver problems, heart conditions, any allergies, all medications you’re taking, and if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Also inform them if you have systemic lupus erythematosus, are on a salt-restricted diet, or have had breathing problems with hydrochlorothiazide before.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.