Exval-A 5/80mg Tablets

Amlodipine and valsartan are used together to treat high blood pressure. Bringing blood pressure down lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It relaxes and widens the blood vessels.
• Valsartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It stops a natural hormone, angiotensin II, from tightening the blood vessels.

Because they work in different ways, the two medicines can lower blood pressure more than either one alone. Doctors use the combination when one medicine has not been enough, or when more than one medicine is likely to be needed from the start.

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually once a day at around the same time.

• You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet with water.
• Keep taking it even when you feel well. Do not stop unless your doctor tells you to.
• If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one at the usual time. Never take two doses together.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, which can increase the side effects of amlodipine.
• If you take too much, get medical advice straight away.

Common side effects include:

• swelling of the ankles, feet or legs
• dizziness, especially when you first start
• headache, flushing or a fast, pounding heartbeat
• a blocked or runny nose, sore throat or cold-like symptoms
• feeling tired, feeling sick or tummy pain

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
• fainting or feeling very light-headed
• chest pain that is new, more frequent or worse
• muscle weakness or twitching, or an uneven heartbeat (signs of high potassium)
• yellow skin or eyes, or passing much less urine than usual
• blistering or peeling skin

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding
• have kidney problems, narrowing of the kidney arteries or are on dialysis
• have liver problems
• have heart failure, a narrowed heart valve or have recently had a heart attack
• have been dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhoea or a low-salt diet, or take water tablets
• have had angioedema (sudden swelling of the face or throat)
• use potassium supplements or potassium salt substitutes
• take lithium, ibuprofen-type painkillers, other blood pressure medicines (including ACE inhibitors or aliskiren), simvastatin, ciclosporin or tacrolimus

Store at room temperature in the original pack, protected from moisture, and keep out of the reach of children.

Pregnancy: do not take this medicine while pregnant. Valsartan can harm or kill an unborn baby. If you find out you are pregnant, contact your doctor as soon as possible. It should not be used while breastfeeding.

Dizziness: if you feel dizzy or tired, do not drive, cycle or use machines until it passes.

Alcohol: keep alcohol low, as it can make dizziness worse and lower your blood pressure too much.

You may need regular blood tests to check your kidneys and potassium level.