Exforge is a combination blood pressure medication for adults. It contains amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker, or CCB) and valsartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker, or ARB). It comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically once per day. Some side effects of Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) include swelling throughout the body and dizziness. This medication is available as generics.
High blood pressure in adults
Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) is a combination of two medications that work together to lower blood pressure.
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB). It relaxes your blood vessels to lower your blood pressure.
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II. This is a hormone that typically causes your blood vessels to become more narrow, which raises your blood pressure.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Convenient to take a combination of two medications in one pill
Only taken once a day
Available as a lower-cost generic
Not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding
Might not be a good choice for people with liver problems
Can cause swelling in the arms and legs
Make sure to mark your calendar with your appointments to see your prescriber and to get any blood work done when you take Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan). Your care team will order tests (e.g., potassium level, kidney function, blood pressure) during treatment and might change your dose of Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) based on your lab results.
Take Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) with or without food at any time of the day. If it hurts your stomach, taking it with food might help.
It typically takes 2 weeks to see the full blood pressure-lowering effect from Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan). If you don't see a change in your blood pressure after taking it every day for 2 weeks, you should still keep taking the medication and contact your prescriber. They might need to make adjustments to the dosage of your medication.
You're recommended to check your blood pressure at home, record them, and bring your log to your medical appointments. This helps your healthcare team better understand how well Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) is working for you. They can recommend any dose changes, if needed.
Take Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) exactly as prescribed. Don't change your dose or stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your prescriber first. Doing so can cause your blood pressure to rise quickly.
It's best to avoid or limit how much alcohol you drink because it can cause a drop in your blood pressure. This can lead to dizziness and falls.
You might feel dizzy when you start taking Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) and when your prescriber raises your dose. This side effect should lessen over time as you continue taking the medication and your body gets used to your new blood pressure.
If you can, stand up slowly or hold onto something when you stand from a sitting or lying down position. This helps avoid a sudden drop in your blood pressure that can lead to dizziness and falling. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, tired, or confused while taking Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan), your blood pressure might be too low. Call your prescriber if this happens because your dose might need to be changed.
Both amlodipine and valsartan can interact with many other medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)), lithium (Lithobid), and other medications that can raise potassium. Make sure to tell your care team about all the medications you're taking before and during treatment with Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan).
Make sure to incorporate a healthy diet, including a low-salt diet, while taking Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) to help lower your blood pressure. Depending on your risk factors and other medical problems, it's possible you might be able to stop taking Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) if your blood pressure gets within goal. Ask your care team to help you plan healthy meals, such as ones that include low-fat milk or yogurt, whole-grains, and vegetables.
Valsartan can cause severe harm to an unborn baby. Additionally, there aren't enough studies to know for sure how safe amlodipine and valsartan are while breastfeeding. Let your care team know if you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding because they might switch you to a safer medication.
Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Don't take Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) if you're pregnant because valsartan can cause severe harm your unborn baby. This medication can affect how well the unborn baby's kidneys develop and work, which can be life-threatening.
Stop taking Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) and let a member of your healthcare team know right away if you find out that you're pregnant during treatment. Discuss with your primary care provider or cardiologist about taking a different medication that's safer to treat your blood pressure if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant.
Risk factors: Not enough fluid in your body | Having diarrhea or vomiting for a long time | Low salt levels in your body | Taking high doses of diuretic medications | History of narrow heart valves (aortic stenosis)
Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) can cause your blood pressure to drop too much, which can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. This side effect is more common when you first start Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) or when the dose is raised. You're also at risk if you're dehydrated or if you have medical conditions that cause you to become dehydrated, such as too much diarrhea or vomiting. Make sure to stay well hydrated to avoid having blood pressure that's too low. If your blood pressure drops too much and you feel dizzy, sit down slowly while holding onto something and let your prescriber know. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away.
Risk factors: Severe coronary artery disease
It's possible for some people to experience worsening chest pain or develop a heart attack while taking amlodipine. The risk is higher when you first start this medication or when your dose is raised. Your risk is also higher if you have a heart problem called coronary artery disease (CAD). Get medical help right away if you experience chest pain, pressure in the chest, heartburn, dizziness, or trouble breathing.
Risk factors: Heart failure | Certain kidney problems | Taking other medications that can cause kidney damage
Although ARBs like valsartan can protect the kidneys, it's also possible for the medication to affect your kidneys in a way that causes them to not work as well. This can happen to anyone. But the effects can be more serious in people with severe heart failure, people with certain kidney problems, or people who take medications that can worsen kidney function.
Your primary care provider or cardiologist might order lab tests every so often during treatment to make sure your kidneys are healthy and working properly. Your care team might recommend that you stop taking the medication if you develop kidney problems (or if your kidney problems worsen) while you're taking Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan). Let your primary care provider or cardiologist know if you're urinating less often than usual, as this could be a sign that your kidneys aren't working as well.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that can raise potassium levels | Heart failure | Kidney problems
Valsartan can cause high potassium levels. Your risk is higher if you take Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) with other medications that can raise potassium, such as spironolactone (Aldactone) or eplerenone (Inspra). Tell your healthcare team right away if you experience signs of high potassium levels, such as nausea, muscle weakness, or abnormal heartbeat. You'll probably need your potassium levels checked. If left untreated, high potassium levels can be dangerous.
Adults: The typical starting dose is 5 mg/160 mg (amlodipine/valsartan) taken by mouth once daily. Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on how well it's helping your blood pressure and if you're having side effects. The maximum dose is 10 mg/320 mg (amlodipine/valsartan) by mouth once daily.
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High blood pressure in adults
High blood pressure in adults
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Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2024). AMLODIPINE AND VALSARTAN tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kobori, H., et al. (2013). Angiotensin II Blockade and Renal Protection. Current Pharmaceutical Design.
Montford, J. R., et al. (2017). How dangerous is hyperkalemia? Journal of the American Society of Nephrology: JASN.
You and Your Hormones. (2019). Angiotensin.
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