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amlodipine/valsartan vs hydrochlorothiazide

Side-by-side comparison of amlodipine/valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide. 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 – Hydrochlorothiazide Lithium: Increases in serum lithium concentrations and lithium toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with angiotensin II receptor antagonists or thiazides. Hydrochlorothiazide When administered concurrently, the following drugs may interact with thiazide diuretics: Antidiabetic Drugs (oral agents and insulin): Dosage adjustment of the antidiabetic drug may be required. Ion Exchange Resins: Staggering the dosage of hydrochlorothiazide and ion exchange resins (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol) such that hydrochlorothiazide is...

Recommendation: Your doctor may need to adjust your doses and check your blood work regularly. Be sure to report any new symptoms to your healthcare provider.

Drug Class
amlodipine/valsartan CCB / ARB Combination
hydrochlorothiazide Thiazide Diuretic
Type
amlodipine/valsartan Prescription
hydrochlorothiazide Prescription
Summary
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.

hydrochlorothiazide

No summary available.

What It Treats
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.

hydrochlorothiazide

Information not available.

How It Works
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.

hydrochlorothiazide

Information not available.

Common Side Effects
amlodipine/valsartan
  • Dizziness
  • Swelling in your arms, hands, legs, and feet
  • Headache
  • Heartburn
  • Tiredness
hydrochlorothiazide
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
FAERS Reports
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
hydrochlorothiazide
  • Tiredness 10,013
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 9,706
  • Loose stools 8,311
  • Discomfort 7,665
  • Difficulty breathing 7,584
Serious Warnings
amlodipine/valsartan

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

hydrochlorothiazide

No specific warnings noted.

Pregnancy
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.

hydrochlorothiazide

No pregnancy information available.

How to Read This amlodipine/valsartan vs hydrochlorothiazide Comparison

amlodipine/valsartan is classified in the CCB / ARB Combination drug class, while hydrochlorothiazide sits within the Thiazide Diuretic 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, amlodipine/valsartan has 47 submissions while hydrochlorothiazide has 43,279. 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 using these together can change how your body handles fluids and salts. it may also change how well your diabetes medications or other drugs like lithium work.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between amlodipine/valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.