Exforge HCT 5mg/160mg/12.5mg tablet

Introduction

Expert Advice

• Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without meals.
• Contact prescriber if there is chest pain, palpitations, swelling of face/ankle/tongue, unrelieved headache, weakness, difficulty in breathing, or unusual cough.
• Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes.
• Change body position slowly.

Primary Uses

Indications

This medicine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, myocardial infarction (Heart attack) with left ventricular failure or left ventricular diastolic failure.

Side Effects

Patients using this medicine may rarely experience syncope (fainting), thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets), renal (kidney) dysfunction, angioedema (swelling under skin or mucous membrane), dizziness (lightheadedness), and hypotension.

Contraindications

This medicine is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic (liver) impairment, cirrhosis (irreversible scarring of liver), biliary (bile duct) obstruction, cholestasis (decrease in bile flow), and primary hyperaldosteronism (excessive aldosterone production).

FAQS

How does this medication work?

This medication works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow easily.

Should I take this medication same time everyday?

Try to take this medication same time everyday?

Is this medication hard on the kidneys?

If this medication continues for a long time, it may damage the blood vessels of heart and kidneys.

Can I eat bananas while taking this medicine?

Avoid potassium-rich foods like bananas, oranges, and green leafy vegetables as this medicine already raises potassium concentrations in the body.

Will this medicine make me sleepy?

Yes, this medicine might make you sleepy. Using alcohol along with this medicine will worsen the symptom. Avoid driving.

Can children take this medicine?

This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years.

Which medicines should be avoided with Amlodidpine?

As per FDA recommendation, simvastatin dosage should be limited to 20 mg daily while taking amlodipine. Also, all the CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors like diltiazem, ketoconazole, itraconazole & ritonavir should be avoided while taking amlodipine.

I have been experiencing swelling in hands and foot since I started using the medicine. I amconcerned whether this swelling will persist?

You don’t need to worry about the swelling, as it is one of the very common adverse effects of the drug. This will go off once you withdraw its use. But you still need to consult your physician if the condition is getting worse.

When is it safe to discontinue the medicine?

You are not advised to do so abruptly nor are you supposed to make this decision by yourself. Consult with your physician, who will most probably advise for a gradual withdrawal. This is done to avoid the chest pain and relapse of high blood pressure, which is usually observed in such scenarios.

In what forms is the medicine available?

It is available in tablet, drops and I/V (intravenous) forms.

I am a patient of dialysis and have a history of getting treated for hepatitis C too. So, is the medicine safe for me?

No, the drug is not safe for any kind of kidney or liver disease. Consult your physician for an alternative.

What is the best time to take this medicine?

It doesn’t really matter at what time of the day you take amlodipine, but it is best to take it at the exact time every day, for more even blood levels & more effectiveness of the medicine.

Why taking this medicine at night is useful?

New research shows that administering blood pressure medicines at bedtime effectively helps to reduce your risk of illness or death due to blood vessel & heart disease. Timings are important as BP follows a daily rhythm. It is high during the day & falls at nighttime.

How much does this medicine help reduce blood pressure?

It is seen that titration of amlodipine from 5-10 mg every day in patients not responding to the treatment with 5 mg dose showed significant decrease in BP.

What are the most common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide?

The more common side effects that can occur with hydrochlorothiazide include blood pressure that is lower than normal (especially when standing up after sitting or lying down), dizziness (feeling like sleeping), headache, and weakness.

What is the best time of day to take hydrochlorothiazide?

If you are to take a single dose a day, take it in the morning after breakfast. If you are to take more than one dose a day, take the last dose no later than 6 p.m., unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Does hydrochlorothiazide make you pee a lot?

Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of medicine known as diuretics water pills. It works by causing you to make more urine. This helps your body get rid of extra salt and water. This medicine also reduces extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.

How to administer this medicine?

This medicine is mostly used orally. The dose is dependent on the age, condition and its severity.

Can I drink any alcohol at all while taking hydrochlorothiazide?

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

How to store this medicine?

Please store this medicine at room temperature away from excessive light, moisture, and children.

How long does it take for hydrochlorothiazide to start working?

Pharmacological effects begin in about 2 hours after an oral dose, peaks in 4 hours, and lasts for about 6 to 12 hours.