Exforge (Valsartan And Amlodipine Besilate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Exforge Used For?
Exforge is a combination blood pressure medication that contains two active ingredients working together to effectively control high blood pressure.
Primary Uses
Exforge is used to control high blood pressure (hypertension) in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with either amlodipine or valsartan alone.
How It Works
Exforge works through two mechanisms: 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.
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 keep taking your medication even when you feel fine.
How to Take Exforge
Take Exforge exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication works best when taken consistently at the same time each day.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet daily. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you and may adjust it based on how you respond to treatment. Take at the same time each day, with or without food, but be consistent. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Continue taking 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 possible, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. This could cause dangerous drops in blood pressure.
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 ears
- Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Tiredness or difficulty sleeping
- Diarrhea, constipation, or gas
- Muscle or joint pain
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dry cough or sore throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Skin blistering
- Feeling anxious or sad
- Tingling or numbness in hands/feet
- Sexual function problems
- Breast enlargement in men
- Hair loss or thinning
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, fever, itching, yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine)
- Constant flu-like symptoms
- Allergic reactions (rash, swelling of face/lips/tongue, breathing difficulties)
Important Warnings
Before taking Exforge, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Exforge
Do not take Exforge if you are allergic to valsartan, amlodipine besilate, or dihydropyridines; 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); are taking other blood pressure medications containing aliskiren and have type 2 diabetes; or if the medication is expired or packaging is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have severe kidney problems or kidney transplant, liver problems, heart problems including obstructed blood flow or enlarged heart septum, primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome), previous swelling of face/throat while taking ACE inhibitors or aliskiren, frequent vomiting/diarrhea, or if you’re taking diuretics.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Exforge if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it could harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking Exforge, tell your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor about risks and benefits if you are breastfeeding, as it’s unknown if the medication passes into breast milk.
Pregnancy Warning: Exforge can harm your unborn baby. Stop taking and contact your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Exforge and affect how it works. Always inform your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice as it can affect how amlodipine is processed in your body.
- Other blood pressure medications (diuretics, ACE inhibitors, aliskiren, beta blockers)
- Simvastatin (cholesterol medication)
- Antibiotics (rifamycins), anti-rejection drugs (cyclosporin), antiretrovirals (ritonavir)
- Potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium
- Anticonvulsants (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, fosphenytoin, primidone)
- Rifampicin and St. John’s wort
- Nitroglycerin and other nitrates or vasodilators
- HIV/AIDS medications (ritonavir) and antifungal medications (ketoconazole)
- Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs, Cox-2 inhibitors)
- Intravenous dantrolene for malignant hyperthermia
Alcohol & Driving
Exforge can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to ensure your safety and that of others.
Alcohol
While not specifically mentioned in the source material, consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking Exforge, as it may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effects.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Exforge may cause tiredness, sleepiness, or dizziness. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery if you experience these symptoms. Be especially careful when getting up from sitting or lying positions, as this medication can cause dizziness upon standing. Get up slowly and flex your leg muscles to improve blood flow.
Storage
Store Exforge tablets in their original container until ready to use. Keep in a cool, dry place below 30°C (room temperature), away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended. Take expired or unwanted medication to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you suspect an Exforge overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine. Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, rapid shallow breathing, cold clammy skin, and faster than normal heartbeat due to dangerously low blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the source doesn’t specify exact timing, your doctor will monitor your progress and may adjust your dose based on how you respond to treatment. It’s important to keep taking it even if you feel well, as people with high blood pressure often don’t notice symptoms.
Yes, you can take Exforge with or without food, but it works best if you always take it the same way every day. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose.
No, continue taking Exforge until your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel well. Do not use it to treat other conditions unless your doctor says you can, and don’t give it to others.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, as it can affect how the medication works. Be careful when driving or using machinery if you experience dizziness, tiredness, or sleepiness.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant, haven’t taken the medicine as prescribed, are having surgery, or starting new medications. Remind all healthcare providers that you’re taking Exforge.
Keep tablets in the original container until use. Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms or cars. Keep out of children’s reach.
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.