amlodipine/valsartan vs lithium
Side-by-side comparison of amlodipine/valsartan and lithium. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate 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. Monitor lithium levels in patients taking Exforge HCT. ( 12.3 ) Lithium: Increased risk of lithium toxicity.
Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor your lithium levels closely to prevent toxicity while you are taking these drugs together.
Exforge
Lithobid, Eskalith
Exforge HCT is a combination medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It contains amlodipine, valsartan, and hydrochlorothiazide to help lower your blood pressure.
Lithium is a mood stabilizer medicine. It helps to balance mood swings.
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.
Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and concentration. Lithium helps to control the extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression) of this condition.
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.
Lithium affects the flow of sodium in nerve and muscle cells in the body. This helps to stabilize your mood. It may also affect other chemical messenger systems in the brain.
- • Dizziness
- • Swelling in your arms, hands, legs, and feet
- • Headache
- • Heartburn
- • Tiredness
- • Tremor (shaking)
- • Nausea
- • Increased weight
- • Fatigue (feeling tired)
- • Vomiting
- 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
- Poisoning from different substances 2,179
- The drug is reacting with another medicine 1,526
- Shaking 1,463
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,344
- Gaining weight 1,153
If you are pregnant, stop taking Exforge HCT right away. This medicine can harm or kill your unborn baby.
Lithium levels in your blood need to be monitored closely by your doctor. Too much lithium can be toxic and cause serious side effects. Make sure to attend all scheduled blood tests.
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.
Lithium can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lithium can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking lithium.
How to Read This amlodipine/valsartan vs lithium Comparison
amlodipine/valsartan is classified in the CCB / ARB Combination drug class, while lithium sits within the Mood Stabilizer 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 lithium has 7,665. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to valsartan can make it harder for your kidneys to clear lithium from your body. this can cause lithium to build up to levels that are poisonous to your system.. 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 lithium - 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.