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ase in red blood cells, fever, sore throat or mouth sores due to infections, spontaneous bleeding or bruising, high level of potassium in the blood, abnormal liver test results, decreased renal functions and severely decreased renal functions, swelling mainly of the face and the throat, muscle pain, rash, purplish-red spots, fever, itching, allergic reaction.
If you experience any of these, tell your doctor straight away.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Exforge after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister.
Do not store above 30°C.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Do not use any Exforge pack that is damaged or shows signs of tampering.
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For doctors
What is it?
Exforge is a medicine that contains two active substances, amlodipine and valsartan. It is available as tablets (dark yellow and round: 5 mg amlodipine and 80 mg valsartan; dark yellow and oval: 5 mg amlodipine and 160 mg valsartan; light yellow and oval: 10 mg amlodipine and 160 mg valsartan).
What is it used for?
Exforge is used in patients who have essential hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not adequately controlled on either amlodipine or valsartan taken alone. ‘Essential’ means that the hypertension has no obvious cause. Exforge is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age, because of a lack of information on safety and effectiveness in this age group. The medicine can only be obtained with a prescription.
How is it used?
Exforge is taken by mouth as one tablet once a day with some water, with or without food. The dose of Exforge to be used depends on the doses of amlodipine or valsartan that the patient was taking before. The patient may need to take separate tablets or capsules before switching to the combination tablet. Exforge should be used with caution in patients who have problems with their liver or biliary obstructive disorders (problems with the elimination of bile).
How does it work?
Exforge contains two active substances, amlodipine and valsartan. Both are anti-hypertensives that have been available separately in the European Union (EU) since the mid-1990s. They work in similar ways to reduce blood pressure by allowing the blood vessels to relax. By lowering the blood pressure, the risks associated with high blood pressure, such as having a stroke, are reduced. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It blocks special channels on the surface of cells called calcium channels, through which calcium ions normally enter the cells. When calcium ions enter the cells in the muscles of blood vessel walls, this causes contraction. By reducing the flow of calcium into the cells, amlodipine prevents the cells from contracting and this helps the blood vessels to relax. Valsartan is an ‘angiotensin II receptor antagonist’, which means that it blocks the action of a hormone in the body called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a powerful vasoconstrictor (a substance that narrows blood vessels). By blocking the receptors to which angiotensin II normally attaches, valsartan stops the hormone ha |
