Exforge HCT (Amlodipine Besilate, Valsartan And Hydrochlorothiazide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Exforge HCT Used For?
Exforge HCT is a combination blood pressure medication that contains three active ingredients working together to control high blood pressure (hypertension).
Primary Uses
Exforge HCT is used to control high blood pressure in patients who have already successfully used the combination of valsartan, amlodipine besilate and hydrochlorothiazide individually. It combines these three medicines into a single tablet for convenience.
How It Works
The three ingredients work in different ways: Valsartan blocks angiotensin II (a substance that tightens blood vessels), helping blood vessels relax and blood pressure decrease. Amlodipine besilate blocks calcium movement into heart and blood vessel cells, relaxing blood vessels and increasing blood and oxygen supply to the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide helps reduce excess fluid by increasing urine production, which lowers blood pressure.
How to Take Exforge HCT
Take Exforge HCT exactly as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel well. People with high blood pressure often feel fine and don’t notice symptoms.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet daily. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. You can take it with or without food, but always take it the same way each day for best results. Your doctor may adjust your dose based on how you respond to treatment.
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 and then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one, as this may increase side effects.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose – this may increase your chance of unwanted 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 ears
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea, constipation or gas
- 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
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Swelling of hands, feet or limbs
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Severe dizziness
- Liver disease symptoms (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of skin and eyes, dark urine)
- Constant flu-like symptoms
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, fever, breathing problems)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Exforge HCT should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Exforge HCT
Do not use if you are allergic to valsartan, amlodipine besilate, hydrochlorothiazide, dihydropyridines, or sulfonamide-derived medicines. Also avoid if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, have severe kidney disease or dialysis, liver problems with bile duct blockage, cholestasis (reduced bile flow), anuria (unable to urinate), high uric acid levels causing gout, abnormal blood potassium/sodium/calcium levels, or take aliskiren-containing blood pressure medications with type 2 diabetes.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or transplant, liver problems, systemic lupus erythematosus, heart problems including valve narrowing or enlarged heart septum, primary hyperaldosteronism, previous swelling from ACE inhibitors or aliskiren, vomiting or diarrhea, reduced urine output, salt-restricted diet, skin cancer, or breathing/lung problems from previous hydrochlorothiazide use.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Exforge HCT if pregnant or planning pregnancy – it could affect your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking it, tell your doctor immediately. For breastfeeding, discuss risks and benefits with your doctor as hydrochlorothiazide and amlodipine pass into breast milk, and it’s unknown if valsartan does.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Exforge HCT and affect how it works. You may need different doses or different medicines.
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 medicine)
- Intravenous dantrolene
- Antibiotics (rifamycins), anti-rejection drugs (Cyclosporin), antiretrovirals (Ritonavir)
- Potassium supplements and salt substitutes
- Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs, Cox-2 inhibitors)
- Calcium supplements and vitamin D
- Muscle relaxants for surgery
- Steroid medicines (cortisone, prednisone, ACTH)
- Lithium, antidepressants, antipsychotics
- Cyclophosphamide, methotrexate
- Penicillin, amphotericin
- Diabetes medications (insulin, tablets)
- Gout medicines
- Carbamazepine
- Heart medications (digoxin, antiarrhythmics)
- Medicines for esophageal problems
- Amantadine, anti-Parkinson therapy
- Cancer therapy drugs
- Anticholinergic agents
- Cholestyramine, colestipol, other resins
- Pressor amines (noradrenaline)
- Barbiturates, narcotics, alcohol
- Radioactive iodine
Alcohol & Driving
Exforge HCT can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Be cautious with alcohol as it’s listed among substances that may interact with Exforge HCT, particularly with barbiturates and narcotics.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medicine can cause tiredness, sleepiness, or dizziness. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery if you experience these symptoms. Be careful when getting up from sitting or lying positions as dizziness can occur. Get up slowly and flex your leg muscles to improve blood flow.
Storage
Keep tablets in their original container until time to take them. Store 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 in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Exforge HCT, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact 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 low blood pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works by reducing blood pressure through three different mechanisms, but 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.
Yes, you can take Exforge HCT with or without food. However, it works best if you always take it the same way each day – either always with food or always without food.
You should continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop, even if you feel well. People with high blood pressure often feel fine and don’t notice symptoms. Don’t stop using Exforge HCT without consulting your doctor.
Be cautious with alcohol as it’s listed among substances that may interact with Exforge HCT. Discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor to understand any risks.
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 and return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
No, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice as it can affect how amlodipine (one of the active ingredients) is processed in your body.
People with high blood pressure often feel well and don’t notice any symptoms of the condition. It’s important to continue taking the medication as prescribed to keep your blood pressure controlled and prevent complications.
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.