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amlodipine/valsartan vs valsartan

Side-by-side comparison of amlodipine/valsartan and 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. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID) Agents Including Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (COX-2 Inhibitors): In patients who are elderly,...

Recommendation: Avoid taking these two medications together as they contain the same active ingredient. Your doctor should check your medication list to prevent an accidental overdose.

Drug Class
amlodipine/valsartan CCB / ARB Combination
valsartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Type
amlodipine/valsartan Prescription
valsartan 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.

valsartan

Entresto is a medicine that combines two drugs to help adults and children with heart failure. It can lower the risk of death and hospitalization.

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.

valsartan

Entresto is used to treat heart failure in adults and children aged one year and older. It helps people whose hearts don't pump blood well enough. It can reduce hospital visits and the risk of death from heart problems.

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.

valsartan

Entresto works by blocking two substances in your body that can worsen heart failure. One substance is neprilysin, and the other is angiotensin II. By blocking these, Entresto helps your heart pump blood more easily and reduces strain.

Common Side Effects
amlodipine/valsartan
  • Dizziness
  • Swelling in your arms, hands, legs, and feet
  • Headache
  • Heartburn
  • Tiredness
valsartan
  • Low blood pressure
  • High potassium levels in your blood
  • Cough
  • Dizziness
  • Kidney problems
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
valsartan
  • Feeling tired 5,476
  • Feeling lightheaded 5,251
  • Difficulty breathing 5,251
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 5,164
  • Loose stools 4,581
Serious Warnings
amlodipine/valsartan

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

valsartan

Entresto can harm your unborn baby, even causing death. If you are pregnant or become pregnant, stop taking Entresto right away and tell your doctor.

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.

valsartan

Entresto can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Entresto.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This amlodipine/valsartan vs valsartan Comparison

amlodipine/valsartan is classified in the CCB / ARB Combination drug class, while valsartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) 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 valsartan has 25,723. 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 taking both of these medications results in a double dose of valsartan. this increases your risk for high potassium levels, kidney damage, and very low blood pressure.. 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 valsartan - 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.