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Hand holding Rx pills: What can I take instead of edarbyclor?
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Edarbyclor alternatives: What can I take instead of edarbyclor?

Edarbyclor doesn't work for everyone. Diovan HCT, Norvasc, Exforge, Exforge HCT, and Toprol XL are some Edarbyclor alternatives. Get the full list here.
By | Oct. 13, 2022

Compare Edarbyclor alternatives | Diovan HCT | Norvasc | Exforge | Exforge HCT | Toprol XL | Natural alternatives | How to switch meds

Are you struggling to get your hypertension or high blood pressure under control? Is Edarbyclor not meeting your goals, or is it causing you to feel poorly? Are the costs of medications like Edarbyclor putting a strain on your budget? These are common predicaments. Adequate control of hypertension for many individuals is increasingly defined as a baseline systolic blood pressure (the top number) of less than 130 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) of less than 80 mm Hg, targets which are not easily reached. While hypertension can cause extensive health problems over the long-term, blood pressure medications can have a host of adverse effects in the short-term, not the least of which can be expensive. The good news is that you have a lot of options. Alternatives to Edarbyclor abound, so let us guide you through them, detailing their particular characteristics.

RELATED: Understanding blood pressure levels

What can I take in place of Edarbyclor?

Edarbyclor is a combination product, coupling two drug types in order to amplify blood pressure lowering while reducing the total number of pills you have to take and copays you have to shell out for. It puts azilsartan medoxomil, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), together with chlorthalidone, a thiazide diuretic or water pill. Azilsartan medoxomil works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily, while chlorthalidone works to help prevent your body from absorbing too much salt. It is not the only ARB-thiazide combination approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the market, so if you are running into problems with cost or insurance formulary coverage with Edarbyclor, you have other options. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) are related to ARBs and present another alternative that can also be found in combination with thiazide diuretics.

If the genre of ARBs and ACE inhibitors is not working out for you, you still have plenty to choose from. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, loop diuretics, aldosterone antagonists, and direct vasodilators are all on the list for you to consider. Each class of antihypertensive drug has advantages and disadvantages to be aware of.

Compare Edarbyclor alternatives
Drug name Uses Dosage Savings options
Edarbyclor (azilsartan/chlorthalidone) Hypertension 40 mg/12.5 mg to 40 mg/25 mg once daily Edarbyclor coupons
Edarbi (azilsartan) Hypertension 40 to 80 mg once daily Edarbi coupons
Chlorthalidone Hypertension, peripheral edema (swelling) 12.5 to 100 mg once daily Chlorthalidone coupons
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Hypertension, peripheral edema 12.5 to 50 mg once daily (higher doses up to 200 mg may used for edema) Hydrochlorothiazide coupons
Diovan (valsartan) Hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF) with low ejection fraction (EF), left ventricular dysfunction (reduced heart squeeze) after MI 80 to 320 mg once daily (or divided into two doses) Diovan coupons
Diovan HCT (valsartan/HCTZ) Hypertension 80 mg/12.5 mg to 320 mg/25 mg once daily Diovan HCT coupons
Zestril (lisinopril) Hypertension, CHF with low EF, acute MI 2.5 to 40 mg once daily Zestril coupons
Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide) Hypertension 10 mg/12.5 mg, 20 mg/12.5 mg, or 20 mg/25 mg once daily Zestoretic coupons
Norvasc (amlodipine) Hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD) 2.5 to 10 mg once daily Norvasc coupons
Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan) Hypertension 5 mg/160 mg to 10 mg/320 mg once daily Exforge coupons
Exforge HCT (amlodipine/valsartan/HCTZ) Hypertension 5 mg/160 mg/12.5 mg to 10 mg/320 mg/25 mg once daily Exforge HCT coupons
Toprol XL (metoprolol extended release) Hypertension, angina, CHF with low EF 25 to 400 mg once daily Toprol XL coupons
Aldactone (spironolactone) Hypertension, CHF with low EF, edema, primary hyperaldosteronism (excess aldosterone from adrenal glands) 12.5 to 100 mg starting dose of once daily for hypertension (or up to 200 to 400 mg daily for some indications) Aldactone coupons
Lasix (furosemide) Hypertension, edema 10 to 40 mg twice daily for hypertension (or up to 600 mg per day for edema) Lasix coupons
Hydralazine Hypertension 10 to 50 mg four times daily Hydralazine coupons
Cardura (doxazosin) Hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, enlarged prostate) 1 to 16 mg once daily (or maximum of 8 mg for BPH) Cardura coupons

Other alternatives to Edarbyclor

Top 5 edarbyclor alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to edarbyclor.

1. Diovan HCT

Coupling an ARB and a thiazide diuretic makes a lot of sense. The two mechanisms provide synergistic effects on blood pressure. The tendency for thiazide diuretics to cause hypokalemia (low potassium) may be offset by the capacity for ARBs to raise potassium. Edarbyclor and Diovan HCT both have this combination, just using different components. If Edarbyclor is not on your insurance formulary or if the out-of-pocket cost is intolerable, Diovan HCT has a generic version, valsartan/HCTZ, which could save you money since Edarbyclor does not have a generic formulation available. A SingleCare discount card should be another consideration to save money on any of these options. Taking your card to your pharmacist could give you some nice savings.

2. Norvasc

Norvasc is another alternative with a generic version (amlodipine), but it works via a completely different mechanism of action compared to ARBs and diuretics. It is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, in the same category as Nifedical XL, Felodipine XR, and isradipine. Switching classes of antihypertensives may help you to get away from unwanted side effects of Edarbyclor. Monotherapy, treatment with one drug, using amlodipine does not cause electrolyte abnormalities like hypokalemia, hyponatremia (low sodium), or creatinine elevation from kidney dysfunction, which are certainly possible with ARB-thiazide combinations. Of course, Norvasc has its own common adverse events that can take place , namely peripheral edema. If lower leg swelling is already an issue for you, this drug may not be the best fit for you.

3. Exforge

Your trouble with Edarbyclor may be solely based on the chlorthalidone component. Thiazide diuretics like chlorthalidone cause electrolyte imbalance, prompt gout attacks by raising uric acid, and naturally make you urinate more frequently as a result of their diuretic action. At the same time, you may require more than one antihypertensive effect. Exforge (valsartan/amlodipine) puts together the ARB valsartan and the calcium channel blocker amlodipine to better your chances of meeting your blood pressure goals.

4. Exforge HCT

Lowering your blood pressure adequately can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease. If Edarbyclor is not getting your systolic or diastolic blood pressure sufficiently low, then maybe you need another antihypertensive mechanism working in your favor. Adding amlodipine to Edarbyclor would do so, or if you want to maintain one pill per day and one copayment, then Exforge HCT (amlodipine/valsartan/HCTZ) could be appealing. 

As a triple combination product, Exforge HCT unites three different mechanisms. The result is added blood pressure-lowering power, albeit with an array of side effects too. Having all the medications in one pill is often convenient, but if an adjustment to just one component is needed for dosing titration, it can be limiting to have all the drugs in one pill. Every dosing option available with individual medications is not alway available in the combination form.

5. Toprol XL

ARBs, ACE inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are all common first line antihypertensives. Although beta blockers, such as Toprol XL, are not a typical first choice for hypertension, an exception is the circumstance when one has had a heart attack in the past. Their heart rate limiting effect can be protective in the setting of coronary artery disease, as well as heart rhythm problems like atrial fibrillation. Other beta blockers include Tenormin, Inderal LA, Coreg, Coreg CR, Bystolic, bisoprolol, and Trandate. This category avoids many of the adverse effects of Edarbyclor, such as electrolyte and. Of course, Toprol XL comes with its own downsides, such as bradycardia (slow heart rate) and depression for example.

Natural alternatives to Edarbyclor

If all you need is a little more effectiveness out of your blood pressure-lowering pharmaceuticals, it may be reasonable to consider natural options. Weight loss, exercise, and dietary salt restriction are all worthwhile and proven. The DASH diet is a specific evidence-based dietary endeavor. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension clinical trial showed that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low in saturated and total fats was effective for lowering blood pressure.

Vitamins and supplements are categories which hold promise but not proof thus far. Preliminary evidence is encouraging for potassium, magnesium, fish oil, fiber, protein, and folate. Garlic, celery, ginseng, and black cumin have also been tried for hypertension. Keep in mind that these supplements each have unique risks for some individuals, so it is imperative that you get the medical advice of your healthcare provider before starting a vitamin, supplement, or lifestyle change.

RELATED: How to lower blood pressure quickly and naturally | Exercise and blood pressure | High blood pressure diet

How to switch to a Edarbyclor alternative

You are now prepared to sit down with your prescribing healthcare professional and talk about your concerns about discontinuing Edarbyclor. Take your list of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications to review and look for drug interactions. Common medications can cause interactions, including lithium and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. The conversation should include the benefits, risks, and cost of your Edarbyclor and its potential substitutes. With all of the options on the table and now some added information about those options, the two of you can come to an informed decision.