Exforge vs. Micardis

Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan) and Micardis (telmisartan) are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Exforge is usually given after other drugs have been tried without successful treatment of hypertension.

Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Both Exforge and Micardis contain angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Exforge also contains a calcium channel blocker.

Side effects of Exforge and Micardis that are similar include dizziness or lightheadedness as your body adjusts to the medication and cold symptoms (such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat).

Side effects of Exforge that are different from Micardis include spinning sensation and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Side effects of Micardis that are different from Exforge include blurred vision, back pain, stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, tired feeling, weakness, or skin rash.

Both Exforge and Micardis may interact with alcohol, potassium supplements or salt substitutes, other blood pressure medications, diuretics (water pills), lithium and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Exforge may also interact with heart medications, vitamin or mineral supplements that contain potassium, “statins” or other cholesterol medications, cyclosporine, ritonavir, antibiotics, and antifungals.

Micardis may also interact with digoxin.

Side effects of Exforge include:

• dizziness,
• spinning sensation, or lightheadedness as your body adjusts to the medication.

Other side effects of Exforge include flushing, and cold symptoms such as runny/stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Exforge including:

• swelling hands/ankles/feet,
• fainting,
• fast heartbeat,
• unusual change in the amount of urine,
• symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat), or
• signs of infection (such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat).

Common side effects of Micardis include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• blurred vision, or
• back pain as your body adjusts to the medication.
• Other side effects of Micardis include stuffy nose,
• sinus pain,
• cough,
• stomach pain,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• tired feeling,
• weakness, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Micardis including:

• fainting,
• unusual change in the amount of urine, or
• symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat).

Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan) is a combination of a calcium channel blocker and an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Exforge is usually given after other drugs have been tried without successful treatment of hypertension.

Micardis (telmisartan) is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Micardis is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications. Micardis is also used to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death from heart problems in people who are at least 55 years old with risk factors for serious heart disorders.

Exforge may interact with heart medication, potassium supplements or salt substitutes, diuretics (water pills), or other medications that lower blood pressure. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Exforge is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to a fetus. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Micardis may interact with diuretics (water pills), or digoxin. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking.

Exforge (ziprasidone HCl) is available as capsules and Exforge (ziprasidone mesylate) is available as an injection for intramuscular use.

Exforge Capsules should be administered at an initial daily dose of 20 mg twice daily with food. For intramuscular dosing, the recommended dose of Exforge is 10 mg to 20 mg administered as required up to a maximum dose of 40 mg per day.

Dosage of Micardis is individualized. The usual starting dose is 40 mg once a day.