Exforge

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

What is Exforge?

Exforge contains a combination of amlodipine and valsartan. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Valsartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow

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

Exforge may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Exforge

Do not use Exforge if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

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.

In rare cases, Exforge can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.

Before taking Exforge

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

To make sure you can safely take Exforge, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• angina (chest pain), severe coronary artery disease;

• if you are vomiting or having diarrhea; or

• if you have recently had a heart attack.

If you are also taking a beta-blocker (such as Betapace, Coreg, Corgard, Dutoprol, Inderal, InnoPran, Lopressor, Normodyne, Tenormin, Tenoretic, Toprol, Trandate, 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. Do not use Exforge if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Valsartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking Exforge. It is not known whether amlodipine and valsartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while taking Exforge.

See also: Exforge pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Exforge?

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

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

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

Exforge may be taken with or without food.

Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney function will need to be checked with frequent blood tests. Visit your doctor regularly.

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 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 Exforge at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Exforge dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

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 to Exforge: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. In rare cases, Exforge can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine. Call your doctor at once if you have any other serious side effects, such as:

• 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 Exforge side effects may include:

• dizziness, spinning sensation; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

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.

See also: Exforge side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Exforge?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin);

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;

• heart medication;

• potassium supplements or salt substitutes;

• diuretics (water pills); or

• other medications that lower blood pressure.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Exforge. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Exforge.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. 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. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Copyright 1996-2012 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision Date: 2011-11-28, 12:31:32 PM.