Exforge Drug Interactions

Amlodipine: Simvastatin: Co-administration of multiple doses of 10 mg of amlodipine with 80 mg simvastatin resulted in a 77% increase in exposure to simvastatin compared to simvastatin alone. It is recommended to limit the dose of simvastatin to 20 mg daily in patients on amlodipine.
CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Co-administration of a 180 mg daily dose of diltiazem with 5 mg amlodipine in elderly hypertensive patients resulted in a 1.6 fold increase in amlodipine systemic exposure. However, strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir) may increase the plasma concentrations of amlodipine to a greater extent than diltiazem. Caution should therefore be exercised when co-administering amlodipine with CYP3A4 inhibitors.
Grapefruit Juice: The exposure of amlodipine may be increased when co-administered with grapefruit juice due to CYP3A4 inhibition. However, co-administration of 240 mL of grapefruit juice with a single oral dose of amlodipine 10 mg in 20 healthy volunteers had no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine.
CYP3A4 Inducers: No information is available on the quantitative effects of CYP3A4 inducers on amlodipine. Patients should be monitored for adequate clinical effect when amlodipine is co-administered with CYP3A4 inducers (e.g. rifampicin, Hypericum perforatum).
In monotherapy, amlodipine has been safely administered with thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, long-acting nitrates, sublingual nitroglycerin, digoxin, warfarin, atorvastatin, sildenafil, maalox (Aluminium hydroxide gel, Magnesium hydroxide and Simeticone), cimetidine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and oral hypoglycemic drugs.
Valsartan: Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with ARBs, ACEIs or aliskiren: The concomitant use of ARBs, including valsartan, with other agents acting on the RAS is associated with an increased incidence of hypotension, hyperkalaemia, and changes in renal function compared to monotherapy. It is recommended to monitor blood pressure, renal function and electrolytes in patients on Exforge and other agents that affect the RAS (see PRECAUTIONS).
The concomitant use of ARBs - including valsartan - or of ACEIs with aliskiren, should be avoided in patients with severe renal impairment (GFR < 30 mL/min) (see PRECAUTIONS).
The concomitant use of ARBs including valsartan, or ACEIs, with aliskiren is contraindicated in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (see CONTRAINDICATIONS).
Potassium: Concomitant use with potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes containing potassium, or other drugs that may increase potassium levels (heparin, etc.) requires caution and frequent monitoring of potassium levels.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents (NSAIDs) including Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors (COX-2 Inhibitors): When angiotensin II antagonists are administered simultaneously with NSAIDs, attenuation of the antihypertensive effect may occur. Furthermore, in patients who are elderly, volume-depleted (including those on diuretic therapy), or have compromised renal function, concomitant use of angiotensin II antagonists and NSAIDs may lead to an increased risk of worsening of renal function. Therefore, monitoring of renal function is recommended when initiating or modifying the treatment in patients on valsartan who are taking NSAIDs concomitantly.
Lithium: Reversible increases in serum lithium concentrations and toxicity have been reported during concomitant administration of lithium with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists including Exforge. Therefore, careful monitoring of serum lithium levels is recommended during concomitant use. If a diuretic is also used, the risk of lithium toxicity may presumably be increased further with Exforge.
Transporters: The results from an in vitro study with human liver tissue indicate that valsartan is a substrate of the hepatic uptake transporter OATP1B1 and the hepatic efflux transporter MRP2. Co-administration of inhibitors of the uptake transporter (e.g rifampin, ciclosporin) or efflux transporter (e.g. ritonavir) may increase the systemic exposure to valsartan.
In monotherapy with valsartan, no drug interactions of clinical significance have been found with the following drugs: cimetidine, warfarin, furosemide, digoxin, atenolol, indomethacin, hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, glibenclamide.