Exforge 10mg/160mg is formulated as a combination tablet containing the active ingredients amlodipine and valsartan. This medication is commonly used for the treatment of primary hypertension and is indicated for adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with amlodipine or valsartan monotherapy.
1. Therapeutic uses of Exforge 10/160
Exforge 10/160 contains two main active ingredients, amlodipine 10mg and valsartan 160mg, with the following specific effects:
Amlodipine: a calcium channel blocker that prevents calcium ions from entering the cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby relaxing the vascular smooth muscle, reducing peripheral vascular resistance and lowering blood pressure.
Valsartan: an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that helps to lower blood pressure. When taken orally at therapeutic doses, the medication starts to lower blood pressure within 2 hours, reaches its peak effect after 4-6 hours, and provides antihypertensive effects for up to 24 hours.
Due to these actions, the combination of amlodipine and valsartan in Exforge 10/160 enhances the blood pressure-lowering effect more significantly than using either active ingredient alone, thereby increasing the treatment's efficacy.
Exforge 10/160 is primarily indicated for adult patients whose blood pressure is not properly controlled with amlodipine or valsartan monotherapy.
2. Dosage of Exforge 10/160
Exforge 10/160 is commonly used in the form of oral tablets. Patients should swallow the whole tablet with water and avoid chewing or crushing it to prevent reducing the drug's bioavailability. The efficacy of the medication is not dependent on food intake, so Exforge 10/160 can be taken either before or after meals.
The recommended dosage of Exforge 10/160 is one tablet per day at a fixed time to ensure consistent blood drug levels. If patients forget to take a dose, it should only be taken if there is a significant amount of time before the next scheduled dose; doubling the dose to make up for a missed dose is strictly not recommended. Overdosage can result in symptoms such as excessive blood pressure reduction, dizziness, or excessive peripheral vasodilation leading to rapid heart rate, and in severe cases, shock and death.
3. Side effects of Exforge
In some cases, using Exforge 10/160 may cause the following side effects:
Edema
Fatigue, weakness
Nasopharyngitis
Influenza
Dizziness
Fast heart rate
Drowsiness
Palpitations
Digestive disorders: diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth
Orthostatic hypotension
Back pain, joint pain
Cough, sore throat
Erectile dysfunction
Increased sweating
Frequent urination, polyuria
Contraindications of Exforge 10/160 include:
Hypersensitivity to any component of the medication
Patients with severe liver impairment, cholestasis or cirrhosis
Women in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy
Severe renal impairment or patients undergoing dialysis
Children under 18 years old
4. Drug interactions with Exforge
When concurrently using Exforge with these following medications, some adverse reactions can occur, including:
Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing drugs may cause excessive hyperkalemia
NSAIDs can reduce the antihypertensive effect
Precautions when using Exforge 10/160 in pregnant and breastfeeding women:
Since Exforge 10/160 contains valsartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, which may have adverse effects on the fetus, particularly during the first and third trimesters. The medication may cause fetal death, spontaneous abortion, oligohydramnios, and other congenital abnormalities.
Breastfeeding women: Although there are no specific studies on its excretion in human milk, it is advised not to use this medication while breastfeeding.
Understanding the uses of Exforge 10/160, patients should adhere to the prescribed instructions to achieve the best treatment outcomes. If there are any further questions, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
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