Medicine Name: Exforge Hct Tablets 10/160/12.5mg
📄 Exforge HCT Tablets – Specification Sheet
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🔒 Requires Prescription
Yes
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💊 Generic Name
Valsartan + Amlodipine + Hydrochlorothiazide
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🩺 Used For
Treatment of essential hypertension in adult patients requiring triple therapy.
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⚙️ How It Works
• Valsartan: Blocks angiotensin II receptors → vasodilation, reduced aldosterone secretion, decreased sodium retention.
• Amlodipine: Calcium channel blocker → inhibits calcium ion influx into vascular smooth muscle → vasodilation.
• Hydrochlorothiazide: Thiazide diuretic → inhibits Na⁺/Cl⁻ reabsorption in the distal tubules → increases sodium and water excretion → reduces blood volume and pressure.
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💡 Indication
• Indicated for adults with essential hypertension, especially when monotherapy or dual therapy is insufficient.
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⚠️ Warnings
1. Pregnancy Risk: Avoid during 2nd and 3rd trimesters—may cause fetal kidney failure, oligohydramnios, and skeletal malformations.
2. Symptomatic Hypotension: May occur in salt-/volume-depleted patients—initiate with caution under supervision.
3. Renal Impairment Risk: Risk of acute renal failure due to effects on the renin-angiotensin system and diuretic component.
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❗ Contraindications (When Not to Use)
• Hypersensitivity to valsartan, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, sulphonamides, or dihydropyridines
• Pregnancy (2nd/3rd trimesters)
• Severe hepatic impairment, biliary cirrhosis, or cholestasis
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🔍 Precaution
Use with caution in:
• Patients with renal artery stenosis
• Solitary kidney cases
• Monitor serum creatinine, urea, potassium, and blood pressure regularly.
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🚫 Side Effects
• Hematologic: Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, bone marrow failure, hemolytic/aplastic anemia
• Metabolic: Hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia
• Cardiac: Bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, general arrhythmias
• Neurological: Headache, hypertonia, visual disturbances
• Electrolyte: Hypochloremic alkalosis
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🔗 Drug Interactions
Amlodipine:
• CYP3A4 inhibitors: e.g., ritonavir, ketoconazole, verapamil
• CYP3A4 inducers: e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin
• Simvastatin, Sildenafil, Grapefruit juice, Dantrolene
Valsartan:
• Potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin, NSAIDs, Lithium, Rifampicin, Cyclosporine, Ritonavir
Hydrochlorothiazide:
• Antidiabetics (e.g., Metformin)
• Lithium, Alcohol, Digitalis, Cytotoxic agents
• Contrast media, Amantadine, Beta-blockers, Antidepressants, Antiepileptics
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💉 Dosage
• Fixed-dose combination (dose strength depends on clinical condition)
• Taken once daily, with or without food
• Initiation under medical supervision recommended for high-risk patients
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👶 Pregnancy Category
Not recommended
Consult your physician, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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🧴 Storage
Yes
• Store at room temperature
• Keep away from direct light, heat, and moisture
