Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet belongs to the class of 'anti-hypertensive drugs' used to treat essential hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not adequately controlled on either amlodipine or valsartan taken alone. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against the artery wall is high. As a result, it leads to heart disease, irregular heartbeat, and other complications. Essential means that hypertension has no obvious cause.

Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet contains Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) and Valsartan (angiotensin receptor blocker). Together, amlodipine and valsartan effectively relax and widen the blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, you may experience Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea, headaches, flushing, feeling tired, feeling dizzy, pain in your joints or muscles, and swollen ankles. Most of these side effects of Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor. It is advisable to drink plenty of fluids while taking Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet.

Before taking the Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet, inform your doctor about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and medications you are using. Even if you feel better, do not stop taking your medication. Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet should not be used in pregnant or lactating women and the paediatric population. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.

Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet contains Amlodipine (calcium channel blocker) and Valsartan (angiotensin receptor blocker). Together, Amlodipine and Valsartan effectively relax and widen your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It further helps to reduce the occurrence of heart attack or stroke.

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches
• Flushing
• Feeling tired
• Feeling dizzy
• Pain in your joints or muscles
• Swollen ankles

Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet is not advised for use in pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is recommended not to take if you are allergic to any component present in Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet, has severe liver problems or bile problems such as biliary cirrhosis or cholestasis, or extremely low blood pressure (hypotension), have narrowing of the aortic valve (aortic stenosis) or cardiogenic shock (a condition where your heart is unable to supply enough blood to the body). It is also recommended not to be used if you suffer from heart failure after a heart attack, have diabetes or impaired kidney function, and are treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet may interact with high blood pressure lowering pills (aliskiren, metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide).

Drug-Food Interactions: Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet may interact with grapefruit, grapefruit juices, and St. John’s wort (a plant used to treat depression). Hence, it should not be taken with Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Exforge 5 mg/160 mg Tablet may interact with various disease conditions, including diabetics, angioedema, cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, heart valve problems (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), heart failure, liver or kidney diseases.

• Consume antioxidant-rich food. Blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers are highly antioxidants.
• Eat natural diuretic foods. Asparagus, beets, green beans, grapes, onion, leafy greens, pineapple, leeks, pumpkin, and garlic are all-natural diuretic foods.
• Use healthy cooking oils like soybean, olive, canola, and coconut oil.
• You should avoid refined foods such as white bread, spaghetti, sugar, and red meat.
• Reduce or eliminate Trans fatty acids, which are found in commercially baked items such as cookies, cakes, crackers, French fries, onion rings, doughnuts, and processed foods.
• Avoid the consumption of too much salt or salty food.
• Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
• Regular physical activity or exercise like walking improves your blood flow.
• When possible, elevate your legs or the swollen area on a chair or pillows.
• Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods.
• Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure.
• Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
• Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption is the best strategy to lower the risk of many health complications.

It is important to use contraception if you're taking valsartan and carefully plan any pregnancy with your doctor or specialist. They will review your medical condition and medicine before you get pregnant.

Blood pressure: It is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when the blood supply to the heart is blocked). High blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor. Systolic pressure is the pressure with which the heart pumps blood. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your heart is resting between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.