Allina Hospitals & Clinics - Amlodipine/valsartan (By mouth)

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Amlodipine/valsartan (By mouth)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to amlodipine or valsartan or if you are pregnant.

Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Make sure your doctor knows if you also use other medicines for high blood pressure, including a diuretic or water pill, such as amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene, Aldactone®, Dyrenium®, or Midamor®. Ask your doctor before you use medicines, supplements, or salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Tell your doctor if you also use cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), ritonavir (Norvir®), simvastatin (Zocor®), or NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, Motrin®, or Voltaren®).

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding or if you have kidney problems, liver disease, congestive heart failure, heart or blood vessel problems or had a recent heart attack. Tell your doctor if you are dehydrated or have recently had severe diarrhea or vomiting. Also tell your doctor if you have surgery scheduled or you are on dialysis.
This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much and cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel dizzy. This is more likely to happen when you begin to use the medicine or if you become dehydrated.
Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain that is worse than usual, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, faintness, or pain in your arms, jaw, back, or neck. This medicine may worsen the symptoms of an existing heart problem.
Even if you feel well, do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate, or painful urination
Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating, or faintness
Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Rapid weight gain
Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Last Updated: 2/4/2013