Exforge Tablets 5/80mg

Medicine Name: Exforge Tablets 5/80mg

Exforge Tablets – Product Information Sheet
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✅ Requires Prescription
Yes
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🧪 Generics
Amlodipine Besilate + Valsartan
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🩺 Used For
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
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⚙️ How It Works
Exforge combines two antihypertensive agents:
•    Amlodipine: A calcium channel blocker that relaxes and widens blood vessels, improving blood flow.
•    Valsartan: An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that prevents blood vessel constriction by blocking the action of angiotensin II.
Together, these provide additive effects in lowering blood pressure more effectively than either drug alone.
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📦 Dosage
•    Active Ingredients: Amlodipine Besilate + Valsartan
•    Dosage must be individualized and prescribed by a physician.
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⚠️ Side Effects
Common Adverse Effects:
•    Upper respiratory tract issues: Nasopharyngitis, influenza, pharyngolaryngeal pain
•    Electrolyte disturbances: Hypokalemia, hypercalcemia, hyponatremia
•    Neurological: Dizziness (including postural), headache, vertigo, somnolence, paraesthesia, coordination issues
•    Cardiovascular: Palpitations, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension
•    Gastrointestinal: Nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort
•    General: Fatigue, asthenia, facial or peripheral edema, flushing
•    Musculoskeletal: Back pain, joint swelling, arthralgia
•    Skin: Rash, erythema
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💊 Drug Interactions
Caution advised when used with:
•    Other antihypertensive agents
•    Grapefruit juice
•    CYP3A4 inhibitors: (e.g. verapamil, diltiazem, azole antifungals, macrolides)
•    CYP3A4 inducers: (e.g. rifampicin, St. John’s Wort)
•    Simvastatin (increased risk of toxicity)
•    Lithium (increased lithium toxicity risk)
•    Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics
•    NSAIDs
•    Sildenafil (increased hypotensive effect)
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🎯 Indication
•    Management of essential hypertension in adults who require combination therapy.
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🚫 When Not to Use
Do not use Exforge in patients with:
•    Hypersensitivity to amlodipine, valsartan, dihydropyridines, or any excipients
•    Severe hepatic impairment, biliary cirrhosis, or cholestasis
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⚠️ Warnings
•    Warning 1 – Hyperkalemia: Use cautiously with potassium supplements or potassium-sparing agents; monitor potassium levels regularly.
•    Warning 2 – Hypertensive Crisis: Amlodipine has not been established for treating hypertensive crisis.
•    Warning 3 – Angioedema: Discontinue immediately if angioedema occurs (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or airway). Do not re-administer.
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🔍 Precaution
•    Use with caution in patients with renal artery stenosis or single functional kidney – may lead to elevated blood urea and creatinine.
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🤰 Pregnancy Category
Always consult a physician before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
ARBs like valsartan are contraindicated in pregnancy due to fetal risk.
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🧊 Storage
Yes
Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat.