Type of medicine: calcium channel blocker/angiotensin receptor blocker/diuretic
Generic and brand names: amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide, oral; Exforge HCT
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat and control high blood pressure. It contains a calcium channel blocker, an angiotensin receptor blocker, and a diuretic.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Do not take this medicine after the third month of pregnancy. It can cause severe harm to the baby. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Take it regularly every day, even if you start to feel better. You may need to take it for a long time to control your blood pressure. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Swallow the medicine without crushing, breaking, or chewing it.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure about what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: fast or slow heartbeat, weakness, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, dry mouth, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
This medicine may cause eye problems that could lead to vision loss. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have eye pain or a decrease in vision.
This medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when you first start taking it. You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. If you feel dizzy or faint while you are standing, lie down for a while and then get up slowly, Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.
You need to check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medicine. You may need to have blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and a sunscreen lotion that is SPF15 or higher until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should follow a special diet. Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you are dehydrated (due to diarrhea or sweating heavily) or you have lost salt from your system, this medicine may cause low blood pressure (lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting). If you feel faint, lie down until the reaction passes. Talk with your healthcare provider if this happens often.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (swelling of your tongue, throat, lips, or face; trouble swallowing; hives; itching; tightness or pain in your chest; trouble breathing); severe dizziness or fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; seizures.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe stomach pain; severe nausea; severe vomiting or diarrhea; rash; muscle cramps; dry mouth; extreme thirst; weakness; confusion; black tarry stools; persistent cough or hoarseness; fever; joint pain; lower back or side pain; unusual bleeding or bruising; yellow eyes or skin; shortness of breath; swelling in hands or feet, or any unexplained swelling; numbness or tingling in hands or feet; change in how much you urinate; eye pain; decrease in vision.
Other: Cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, flushing, gas, stomach cramps, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, sensitivity to sun, loss of appetite, change in sexual desire or ability, blurred vision.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.