Exforge 10/160 mg 28 tablets

What is Amlodipine / Valsartan and what are its indications: Amlodipine / Valsartan tablets contain two substances called Amlodipine and Valsartan. These two substances help control high blood pressure. Amlodipine belongs to a group of substances called "calcium channel blockers." Amlodipine prevents calcium from moving into the vessel wall, which prevents blood vessels from constricting. Valsartan belongs to a group of substances called "angiotensin II receptor antagonists." The body produces angiotensin II, which makes blood vessels narrow, thus increasing blood pressure. Valsartan works by blocking the effect of angiotensin II. This means that both of these substances help stop blood vessel constriction. As a result, blood vessels relax and blood pressure decreases. Amlodipine / Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with Amlodipine or Valsartan alone. What you should know before taking Amlodipine / Valsartan: Do not take Amlodipine / Valsartan: if you are allergic to Amlodipine or any other calcium channel blockers. This may include itching or skin redness or difficulty breathing. if you are allergic to Valsartan or any other components of this medicine. If you think you may be allergic, consult your doctor before taking Amlodipine / Valsartan. if you have serious liver problems or problems with jaundice such as cholestatic liver disease or cholestasis. if you are more than 3 months pregnant. (It is also better to avoid Amlodipine / Valsartan at the beginning of pregnancy). if you have a severe drop in blood pressure (hypotension). if you have aortic valve stenosis (aortic stenosis) or heart shock (a condition where your heart cannot supply enough blood to the body). if you have heart failure after a heart attack. if you have diabetes or kidney impairment and are treated with a blood pressure-lowering drug containing Aliskiren. Precautions and warnings: Talk to your doctor before taking Amlodipine / Valsartan: if you are ill (vomiting or diarrhea). if you have liver or kidney problems. if you have had a kidney transplant or have been told you have renal artery stenosis. if you have a condition affecting the adrenal glands called "primary aldosteronism." if you have heart failure or a heart attack, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for the starting dose, and your doctor may also check your kidney function. if your doctor has told you that you have valve stenosis in your heart (called "aortic or mitral stenosis") or that your heart muscle is abnormally thickened (called "hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy"). if you experience swelling, especially in the face and throat, while taking other medications (including ACE inhibitors). If you notice these symptoms, stop taking Amlodipine / Valsartan and contact your doctor immediately. You should not take Amlodipine / Valsartan again. If you are taking any of the following medications used to treat high blood pressure: ACE inhibitors (e.g., Enalapril, Lisinopril, Ramipril), especially if you have kidney problems related to diabetes. Children and adolescents: Amlodipine / Valsartan is not recommended for children and adolescents (under 18 years old). Other medicines and Amlodipine / Valsartan: Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose and/or take other precautions. In some cases, you may need to stop taking one of the medicines. This particularly applies to the following: ACE inhibitors or Aliskiren; diuretics (a type of medicine also called "water pills" that increase urine output); Lithium (a medicine used to treat some types of depression); potassium-sparing diuretics and potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium and other substances that may increase potassium levels; certain painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or COX-2 inhibitors; your doctor may also check your kidney function. Anticonvulsants (such as Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Fosphenytoin, Primidone); St. John’s Wort; Nitroglycerin and other nitrates, or other substances called "vasodilators"; HIV/AIDS medications (such as Ritonavir, Indinavir, Nelfinavir); antifungal medications (such as Ketoconazole, Itraconazole); antibiotics (such as Rifampicin, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Telithromycin); Verapamil, Diltiazem (heart medications); Simvastatin (a drug used to control high cholesterol); Dantrolene (used in severe temperature disorder); immunosuppressants (such as Cyclosporine). Amlodipine / Valsartan with food and drink: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should not be consumed by people taking Amlodipine / Valsartan because they can increase blood levels of the active substance Amlodipine, which may lead to an unexpected increase in the blood pressure-lowering effect of Amlodipine / Valsartan. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnancy: Tell your doctor if you think you (or may become) pregnant. Your doctor will usually advise you to stop taking Amlodipine / Valsartan before pregnancy or as soon as you find out you are pregnant, and will prescribe another medication instead of Amlodipine / Valsartan. Amlodipine / Valsartan is not recommended during the first three months of pregnancy, and should not be taken after more than 3 months of pregnancy, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month. Breastfeeding: Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or about to start breastfeeding. It has been shown that Amlodipine passes into breast milk in small amounts. Amlodipine / Valsartan is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers, and your doctor may choose another treatment if you wish to breastfeed, especially if your baby is a newborn or premature. Driving and operating machinery: This medicine may make you feel dizzy and impair your ability to concentrate. Therefore, if you are unsure how this medicine affects you, do not drive or operate machinery or perform other activities that require focus. How to take Amlodipine / Valsartan: The usual dose of Amlodipine / Valsartan is one tablet per day. It is preferable to take your medication at the same time each day. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. You may take Amlodipine / Valsartan with or without food. Do not take Amlodipine / Valsartan with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Depending on how you respond to the treatment, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dose. Do not exceed the prescribed dose. Amlodipine / Valsartan and the elderly (65 years or older): Your doctor should exercise caution when increasing your dose. If you take more Amlodipine / Valsartan than you should: If you take too many Amlodipine / Valsartan tablets, or if someone else takes your tablets, consult your doctor immediately. If you forget to take Amlodipine / Valsartan: If you forget to take this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you stop taking Amlodipine / Valsartan: Stopping treatment with Amlodipine / Valsartan may worsen your condition. Do not stop taking your medication unless your doctor tells you to. Possible side effects: Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Some side effects can be serious and require immediate medical attention: A few patients have experienced these serious side effects (which may affect up to 1 in 1000 people). In case of any of the following, contact your doctor immediately: allergic reaction with symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling of the face or lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure (fainting, dizziness). Other possible side effects of Amlodipine / Valsartan: Common (may occur in up to 1 in 10 people): influenza, nasal congestion, sore throat, discomfort when swallowing; headache; swelling of the arms, hands, legs, ankles, or feet; fatigue; weakness; redness and warm sensation in the face and/or neck. Uncommon (may occur in up to 1 in 100 people): dizziness; nausea and abdominal pain; dry mouth; drowsiness; tingling or numbness in the hands or feet; rapid heartbeat including palpitations; dizziness when standing; cough; diarrhea; constipation; skin rash and redness; joint swelling and back pain; joint pain. Side effects reported with Amlodipine or Valsartan alone, or more frequently with Amlodipine / Valsartan: Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following very rare severe side effects after taking this medicine: sudden wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; swelling of the tongue and throat causing severe difficulty in breathing; severe skin reactions including severe rash, hives, skin redness all over the body, intense itching, ulcers, peeling, skin swelling, mucous membrane inflammation (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis), or other allergic reactions; heart attack; irregular heartbeat; pancreatitis, which may cause severe abdominal and back pain accompanied by feeling very unwell; common (may occur in up to 1 in 10 people): dizziness and drowsiness; palpitations; redness, ankle swelling (edema); abdominal pain, nausea; uncommon (may occur in up to 1 in 100 people): mood changes, anxiety, depression, insomnia, tremors, taste disturbances, fainting, loss of sensation of pain; visual disturbances, blurred vision, ringing in the ears; low blood pressure; sneezing/runny nose caused by nasal mucosa inflammation (rhinitis); indigestion and vomiting; hair loss, increased sweating, skin itching, skin color changes; urinary disturbances, increased need to urinate at night, increased frequency of urination; inability to achieve an erection or discomfort or breast enlargement in men, pain, feeling unwell, muscle pain, muscle cramps; weight gain or loss; decrease in red blood cells, fever, sore throat or mouth ulcers due to infections; spontaneous bleeding or bruising; high potassium levels in the blood; abnormal liver test results; severe kidney impairment and decreased kidney function; swelling mainly in the face and throat; muscle pain; skin rash, purple-red spots; fever; itching; allergic reactions; skin ulcers (a sign of a condition called pemphigus). How to store Amlodipine / Valsartan: Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the package. Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original container to protect from moisture.