amiloride vs amlodipine/valsartan

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Side-by-side comparison of amiloride and amlodipine/valsartan. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Valsartan Agents Increasing Serum Potassium: Concomitant use of valsartan with other agents that block the renin-angiotensin system, potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride), potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium or other drugs that may increase potassium levels (e.g., heparin) may lead to increases in serum potassium and in heart failure patients to increases in serum creatinine.

Drug Class
amiloride Potassium-Sparing Diuretic
amlodipine/valsartan CCB / ARB Combination
Type
amiloride Prescription
amlodipine/valsartan Prescription
Summary
amiloride

Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium. It is often used with other water pills to prevent low potassium levels.

amlodipine/valsartan

Exforge HCT is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It contains amlodipine, valsartan, and hydrochlorothiazide to help lower your blood pressure.

What It Treats
amiloride

Amiloride treats high blood pressure and heart failure. It helps restore normal potassium levels if you develop low potassium while taking other water pills. It can also prevent low potassium if you are at risk, such as if you take digoxin or have heart rhythm problems. Amiloride is not usually prescribed alone.

amlodipine/valsartan

Exforge HCT is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of heart problems and strokes. It is for people who need more than one medicine to control their blood pressure. It is not for the initial treatment of high blood pressure.

How It Works
amiloride

Amiloride blocks sodium channels in your kidneys. This action reduces the amount of potassium lost in your urine. This helps to maintain or increase potassium levels in your body.

amlodipine/valsartan

This medicine works in three ways to lower blood pressure. Amlodipine relaxes your blood vessels. Valsartan blocks a substance that tightens blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide helps your body get rid of extra salt and water.

Common Side Effects
amiloride
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
amlodipine/valsartan
  • Dizziness
  • Swelling in your arms, hands, legs, and feet
  • Headache
  • Heartburn
  • Tiredness
FAERS Reports
amiloride
  • Dyspnoea 69
  • Diarrhoea 57
  • Nausea 49
  • Vomiting 39
  • Fatigue 37
amlodipine/valsartan
  • Pain 11
  • Interaction with another medicine 9
  • Taking too much medicine on purpose 9
  • Attempt to end one's own life 9
  • Weight loss 9
Serious Warnings
amiloride

Amiloride can cause high potassium levels, which can be dangerous. You should not take this medicine if you already have high potassium, kidney problems, or are taking other potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements. Your doctor should check your potassium levels regularly.

amlodipine/valsartan

If you are pregnant, stop taking Exforge HCT right away. This medicine can harm or kill your unborn baby.

Pregnancy
amiloride

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if amiloride can harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk.

amlodipine/valsartan

Do not take Exforge HCT if you are pregnant. It can cause serious harm to your unborn baby, including death. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medicine.

How to Read This amiloride vs amlodipine/valsartan Comparison

amiloride is classified in the Potassium-Sparing Diuretic drug class, while amlodipine/valsartan sits within the CCB / ARB Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, amiloride has 251 submissions while amlodipine/valsartan has 47. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs can cause your body to keep too much potassium, which can lead to high levels in your blood.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for amiloride or amlodipine/valsartan.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.