Amlodipine + Valsartan: Brands, Price & Uses in Bangladesh

Amlodipine + Valsartan is an FDA-approved fixed-dose combination indicated for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) in adults.

• Established/FDA-approved use: Treatment of hypertension, either as initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve blood pressure goals, or as substitution/add-on therapy in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on amlodipine or valsartan monotherapy, or on the two components given separately.
• Guideline-supported use: Major hypertension guidelines (e.g., ACC/AHA, ESC/ESH) support initial combination therapy with a calcium channel blocker plus a renin-angiotensin system blocker such as an ARB in patients with stage 2 hypertension or blood pressure substantially above goal.
• Cardiovascular risk reduction: Lowering blood pressure with Amlodipine + Valsartan reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily by reducing the incidence of stroke and myocardial infarction, a benefit demonstrated in controlled trials of the individual antihypertensive-drug classes that include amlodipine and valsartan.

Amlodipine + Valsartan is not indicated as first-line therapy in patients who do not require multiple drugs to control their blood pressure.

The usual approach to dosing with Amlodipine + Valsartan is as follows; treatment must always be individualized by a physician.

Initial Therapy

In patients likely to need multiple drugs to reach blood pressure goals, Amlodipine + Valsartan may be started at 5 mg/160 mg once daily. The dose can be titrated upward after 1-2 weeks, up to a maximum of 10 mg/320 mg once daily, based on response.

Add-on/Substitution Therapy

Patients not adequately controlled on amlodipine or valsartan monotherapy, or on the individual components given together, may be switched to the corresponding fixed-dose combination strength of Amlodipine + Valsartan.

Renal Impairment

No initial dose adjustment is required for mild-to-moderate renal impairment. Safety and efficacy of Amlodipine + Valsartan have not been established in severe renal impairment; use with caution and monitor renal function.

Hepatic Impairment

Amlodipine + Valsartan is not recommended for initial therapy in patients with hepatic impairment, since amlodipine blood levels increase substantially in this setting; if used, start at the lowest dose and titrate slowly with close monitoring.

Maximum antihypertensive effect is generally seen within about 2 weeks of a dose change. Amlodipine + Valsartan may be used alone or together with other antihypertensive agents.

The most common side effects of Amlodipine + Valsartan include:

• Peripheral (ankle/leg) edema - the most common dose-related adverse effect, mainly attributable to the amlodipine component
• Nasopharyngitis (cold-like symptoms)
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Flushing

Less common but important effects include hypotension, palpitations, and elevated liver enzymes. Rare but serious effects include angioedema and significant declines in renal function (see Precautions and Warnings). Patients should seek prompt medical attention for facial/throat swelling, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, or fainting while taking Amlodipine + Valsartan.