Exforge
Lower elevated blood pressure in essential hypertension by relaxing blood vessels through dual complementary mechanisms
- Category
- Heart & Blood Pressure
- Active ingredients
- Amlodipine · Valsartan
- Route
- Oral use
- Form
- Tablet; Film-coated tablet
- Strengths
- 5mg + 80mg
You will receive a quality generic equivalent of Exforge, depending on stock.
Prescription and consultation requirements for Exforge vary by destination and are determined by the fulfilment partner.
Exforge details
- Conditions
- Essential Hypertension · Hypertension Not Adequately Controlled on Amlodipine or Valsartan Monotherapy
- Alternative names
- Dafiro
- Therapeutic class
- Angiotensin II antagonists and calcium channel blockers
- Pharmacological class
- Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker; Angiotensin II receptor blocker
- Dosage forms
- Tablet; Film-coated tablet
- Administration route
- Oral use
- Supply category
- Prescription-only medicine (POM)
- Originator
- Novartis
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Storage instructions
- Store below 30°C. Store in the original package to protect from moisture.
Contraindications
hypersensitivity to amlodipine, valsartan, dihydropyridine derivatives or any excipient; severe hepatic impairment; biliary cirrhosis; cholestasis; concomitant use with aliskiren in patients with diabetes mellitus or renal impairment; second and third trimesters of pregnancy; severe hypotension; shock including cardiogenic shock; obstruction of the outflow tract of the left ventricle; haemodynamically unstable heart failure after acute myocardial infarction
Precautions and warnings
sodium and volume depletion should be corrected before starting treatment; risk of hypotension in volume-depleted patients; hyperkalaemia monitoring; renal artery stenosis; renal impairment with monitoring of potassium and creatinine; mild to moderate hepatic impairment with dose adjustment; risk of increased angina or myocardial infarction on initiation or dose increase of calcium channel blocker; heart failure; aortic or mitral valve stenosis; elderly patients requiring caution with dose increases; angiotensin II receptor antagonists should not be initiated during pregnancy
Minor side effects
peripheral oedema; headache; dizziness; fatigue; nasopharyngitis; upper respiratory tract infection; flushing; asthenia; nausea; abdominal pain; dyspepsia
Moderate side effects
hypotension; orthostatic hypotension; syncope; hyperkalaemia; renal impairment; angina pectoris; myocardial infarction; arrhythmia; hypersensitivity reactions; angioedema; hepatitis; pancreatitis; thrombocytopenia
Serious side effects
angioedema, requires immediate medical attention; myocardial infarction, requires immediate medical attention; severe hypotension, requires immediate medical attention; acute renal failure, requires immediate medical attention; severe hyperkalaemia, requires immediate medical attention; hepatitis, requires immediate medical attention
Patient summary
Lower elevated blood pressure in essential hypertension by relaxing blood vessels through dual complementary mechanisms
Mechanism of action
Exforge contains two medicines that help control high blood pressure. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that works by relaxing and widening blood vessels by blocking the entry of calcium into the smooth muscle cells of blood vessel walls. Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker that blocks the action of a naturally occurring hormone called angiotensin II, which normally constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure. By blocking this hormone, valsartan also allows blood vessels to relax and widen. Together, these two actions allow blood to flow more easily and help lower blood pressure.
Drug interactions
aliskiren; lithium; potassium supplements; potassium-sparing diuretics; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; ACE inhibitors; heparin; grapefruit juice; CYP3A4 inhibitors; CYP3A4 inducers; simvastatin; dantrolene; other antihypertensives
Age restrictions
Safety and efficacy in children and adolescents under 18 years have not been established. Caution required when increasing dosage in elderly patients.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Amlodipine may be used during pregnancy if clinically needed. Valsartan is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists should not be initiated during pregnancy. When pregnancy is diagnosed, Exforge must be discontinued immediately and alternative antihypertensive therapy started. Breast-feeding is not recommended; alternative treatments with better established safety profiles during breast-feeding are preferable.
What you will receive
Exforge is the originator brand name, made by Novartis. We use it to identify the medicine and are not affiliated with Novartis.
- The fulfilment partner confirms whether the exact brand or an equivalent containing Amlodipine / Valsartan is offered.
- The offered brand, manufacturer and dispatch location depend on the product, destination and partner warehouse.
- Check the final product details at checkout before confirming an order.