Gemvalaz 160 mg/5 mg/10 mg Tablets

GEMVALAZ tablets contain two substances called amlodipine and valsartan. Both of these substances help to control high blood pressure. Amlodipine belongs to a group of substances called “calcium channel blockers”. Amlodipine stops calcium from moving into the blood vessel wall which stops the blood vessels from tightening. Valsartan belongs to a group of substances called “angiotensin-II receptor antagonists”. Angiotensin II is produced by the body and makes the blood vessels tighten, thus increasing the blood pressure. Valsartan works by blocking the effect of angiotensin II. This means that both of these substances help to stop the blood vessels tightening. As a result, the blood vessels relax and blood pressure is lowered. GEMVALAZ is used to treat high blood pressure in adults whose blood pressure is not controlled enough with either amlodipine or valsartan on its own.

Do not take GEMVALAZ:

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to amlodipine or any other calcium channel blockers, valsartan or to any of the other ingredients of GEMVALAZ (listed in section 6).
• If you have experienced swelling, particularly of the face and throat, while taking other medicines (including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors). If you get these symptoms, stop taking GEMVALAZ and contact your doctor straight away. You should never take GEMVALAZ again.
• If you have recurrent episodes of severe swelling without a known cause.
• Your doctor has diagnosed that you are suffering from a narrowing of valves in your heart (called aortic or mitral stenosis), or abnormally increased thickness of your heart muscle with narrowing (called obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).
• If you have received a kidney transplant or if you had been diagnosed to suffer from a narrowing of your kidney artery or if you are suffering from severe kidney problems.
• If you are taking other medicine or substances, which increase the potassium levels in your blood (such as certain types of diuretics, potassium supplements, etc.).
• If you have porphyria.
• If you are taking a medicine called lithium.
• If you are treated with a blood pressure lowering medicine containing aliskiren.
• If you have severe liver impairment.
• If you have severe low blood pressure (hypotension).
• If you have cardiogenic shock (a condition where your heart is unable to supply enough blood to the body).
• If you suffer from heart failure after a heart attack.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Warnings and precautions

Take special care with GEMVALAZ:

• if you are taking aliskiren (see “Do not take”)
• if you have been sick (vomiting or diarrhoea)
• if you have had a kidney transplant or if you had been told that you have a narrowing of your kidney arteries
• if you have liver or kidney problems
• if you have a condition affecting the renal glands called “primary hyperaldosteronism”.
• if you have experienced swelling, particularly of the face and throat, while taking other medicines (including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors). If you get these symptoms, stop taking GEMVALAZ and contact your doctor straight away. You should never take GEMVALAZ again.
• if you have had heart failure or have experienced a heart attack. Follow your doctor’s instructions for the starting dose carefully. Your doctor may also check your kidney function.

Contact your doctor to re-evaluate your treatment if you are treated with ACE Inhibitors/Angiotensin receptor blockers together with a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Your doctor may check your kidney function, blood pressure, and the amount of electrolytes (e.g. potassium) in your blood at regular intervals.

Children and adolescents

The use of GEMVALAZ in children and adolescents is not recommended (aged below 18 years old).

Other medicines and GEMVALAZ

Always tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicine. (This includes all complementary or traditional medicines.)

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always take GEMVALAZ exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The usual dose of GEMVALAZ is one tablet per day.

• It is preferable to take your medicine at the same time each day.
• Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
• You can take GEMVALAZ with or without food. Do not take GEMVALAZ with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

Depending on how you respond to the treatment, your doctor may suggest a higher or lower dose. Do not exceed the prescribed dose.

GEMVALAZ and older people (age 65 years or over)

Your doctor should exercise caution when increasing your dose.

If you take more GEMVALAZ than you should

In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre. You may experience dizziness, difficulty in breathing and a faster heartbeat.

If you forget to take GEMVALAZ

Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.

If you stop taking GEMVALAZ

Stopping your treatment with GEMVALAZ may cause your disease to get worse. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

GEMVALAZ can have side effects. Not all side effects reported for GEMVALAZ are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking GEMVALAZ, please consult your healthcare provider for advice.

If any of the following symptoms occur, stop taking the GEMVALAZ and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips and mouth or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing,
• rash or itching,
• fainting.

These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to GEMVALAZ. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

• sudden wheeziness, chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
• severe skin reactions including intense skin rash, hives, reddening of the skin over your whole body, severe itching, blistering, peeling and swelling of the skin, inflammation of the mucous membranes (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) or other allergic reactions
• inflamed pancreas, which may cause severe abdominal and back pain accompanied with feeling of being very unwell
• heart attack, abnormal heartbeat
• upper airway swelling

These are all serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

Frequent side effects

• influenza (flu); blocked nose, sore throat and discomfort when swallowing
• low potassium levels
• headache
• asthenia (weakness)
• dizziness
• stomach pain
• feeling sick (nausea)
• tiredness
• facial swelling
• redness and warm feeling of the face and/or neck
• swelling in the body caused by excess fluid. It often affects the lower body, such as the legs, feet, and ankle but it can occur anywhere

Less frequent side effects

• loss of appetite
• high calcium, sugar, cholesterol or uric acid levels in the blood
• low levels of sodium in the blood
• feeling anxious
• abnormal coordination
• drowsiness, tingling or numbness of the hands or feet
• vision disturbance and impairment
• ringing in the ears, head spinning
• fast heartbeat including palpitations
• low blood pressure and light-headedness when standing up
• cough, sneezing/runny nose caused by inflammation of the lining of the nose (rhinitis)
• throat pain
• constipation, change of bowel habit,
• diarrhoea, dry mouth
• nausea, vomiting, indigestion
• excessive sweating
• redness of the skin
• skin rash all over your body
• joint swelling
• back pain; pain in joints, muscle spasm, muscle cramps
• sensation of heaviness
• passing more urine than normal or feeling more of an urge to pass urine
• inability to get or maintain an erection
• a low level of white blood cells in the blood
• low blood platelet count
• excess sugar in blood (hyperglycaemia)
• mood changes, depression, confusion
• taste abnormalities, loss of pain sensation, abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking (‘pins and needles’), high level of muscle tone
• trembling, sleeplessness, partial or total loss of sensation in a part of your body
• an inflammation of the blood vessels that causes changes in the blood vessel walls
• swelling of the gums
• abdominal bloating (gastritis), increased liver enzyme increase which may have an effect on some medical tests
• abnormal liver function, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), yellowing of the skin (jaundice)
• hair loss
• skin discolouration
• skin sensitivity to light, purple spots under the skin, hives
• discomfort or enlargement of the breasts in men
• lack of energy
• chest pain, feeling unwell
• pain
• weight increase or decrease

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you get side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form”, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of GEMVALAZ.

STORE ALL MEDICINES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Store at or below 25 ºC in original package. Protect from moisture. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Keep the blisters in the outer carton in order to protect from moisture. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.