Medicine Name: Exforge Hct Tablets 5/160/12.5mg
📘 Exforge HCT Tablets – Product Specification Sheet
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🔒 Requires Prescription
Yes
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💊 Generic Composition
Valsartan + Amlodipine + Hydrochlorothiazide
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🩺 Used For
Treatment of Essential Hypertension
Particularly in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on dual therapy.
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⚙️ How It Works
• Valsartan: An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that inhibits vasoconstriction and aldosterone effects, lowering blood pressure.
• Amlodipine: A calcium channel blocker (dihydropyridine) that relaxes vascular smooth muscle by inhibiting calcium influx.
• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT): A thiazide diuretic that increases sodium and chloride excretion, reducing plasma volume and contributing to lower blood pressure.
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💡 Indication
• Indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension in adults, especially those requiring triple therapy for adequate blood pressure control.
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🚫 When Not to Use
• Hypersensitivity to valsartan, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, sulfonamide, or dihydropyridine derivatives
• Pregnancy (2nd and 3rd trimesters)
• Severe hepatic impairment, biliary cirrhosis, or cholestasis
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⚠️ Warnings
1. Fetal Risk: Use of RAS inhibitors (e.g. valsartan) in later pregnancy stages can cause fetal renal dysfunction, oligohydramnios, and skeletal abnormalities.
2. Symptomatic Hypotension: May occur in salt-/volume-depleted patients; initiate treatment with caution under supervision.
3. Renal Function Risk: All three components (especially valsartan and HCT) may alter renal function, leading to acute renal failure in susceptible individuals.
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🧪 Precautions
• Use cautiously in patients with:
o Unilateral/bilateral renal artery stenosis
o Stenosis to a solitary kidney
• Monitor renal function (urea, creatinine) and electrolyte balance during therapy.
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❗ Side Effects
• Hematologic: Agranulocytosis, bone marrow failure, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia
• Metabolic: Hypokalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypercalcemia, hypomagnesemia
• Neurological: Headache, hypertonia, visual disturbance
• Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias
• Others: Anorexia, hypochloremic alkalosis
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💊 Drug Interactions
• Amlodipine: Interacts with CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, clarithromycin), inducers (e.g. rifampicin, St. John’s Wort), grapefruit, simvastatin, dantrolene, sildenafil
• Valsartan: Caution with potassium-sparing diuretics, NSAIDs, lithium, cyclosporine, ritonavir
• Hydrochlorothiazide: May interact with metformin, carbamazepine, beta-blockers, digitalis glycosides, methyldopa, lithium, alcohol, contrast agents, and cytotoxic drugs
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🧴 Storage
Yes
Store at room temperature, away from direct light, heat, and moisture.
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🤰 Pregnancy Category
⚠️ Not recommended during pregnancy
Consult your physician before use, especially during 2nd or 3rd trimester.
