Valsartan/Amlodipine (Exforge) for Hypertension
A tablet made by Novartis combines two agents used to treat hypertension: valsartan (Generic Diovan), an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB), and amlodipine (Norvasc tablet), a calcium-channel blocker (CCB). Both drugs allow blood vessels to relax so that blood can flow more easily.
The FDA’s approval was supported by a clinical program involving more than 5,000 patients. Exforge was approved in January 2007.
Exforge is not indicated for the initial treatment of high blood pressure. It is intended for use when other ARBs or CCBs do not control blood pressure and when patients have experienced doselimiting side effects from either valsartan drug or generic amlodipine.
