Medications and Drugs

1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Salt Quiz!
3. Lowering Blood Pressure Exercise Tips Slideshow Pictures

Brand Names: Exforge HCT

Generic Name: amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Pronunciation: am LOE di peen, HYE droe klor oh THYE a zide, val SAR tan)

• What is amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
• What are the possible side effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
• What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
• How should I take amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Exforge HCT)?
• What happens if I overdose (Exforge HCT)?
• What should I avoid while taking amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
• What other drugs will affect amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?

Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Amlodipine relaxes (widens) blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

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

The combination of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

This medication is usually given after other blood pressure medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• eye pain, vision problems;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• slow, fast, or pounding heartbeats;
• urinating less than usual, or not at all;
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling; or
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, increased urination, fast heart rate, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness;
• headache, tired feeling;
• nausea, upset stomach;
• muscle spasms, back pain; or
• stuffy nose, 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.

What is the most important information I should know about amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan (Exforge HCT)?

Your chest pain may become worse when you first start taking this medication or when your dose is increased. Call your doctor if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Vaseretic, Zestoretic and others), valsartan (Diovan), or sulfa drugs, or if you are unable to urinate.

Before taking amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, glaucoma, asthma or allergies, low or high blood levels of potassium, gout, lupus, diabetes, or a pencillin allergy.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, and valsartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Need help identifying pills and medications?
Use the pill finder tool on RxList.