PRINCETON, N.J. — Sandoz Inc. has released amlodipine and valsartan combination tablets, a hypertension medication, in the United States.

The company said Tuesday that its product is a generic version of Exforge, made by Novartis. Sandoz will market its combination amlodipine/valsartan tablets in strengths of 5-160 mg, 5-320 mg, 10-160 mg, 10-320 mg, the same as the branded version.

Amlodipine and valsartan tablets are a combination of amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (DHP CCB), and valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). The drug is indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure in patients not adequately controlled on monotherapy with a DHP CCB or an ARB and as initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals, according to Sandoz.

“We are pleased to add amlodipine and valsartan combination tablets to our portfolio of anti-hypertensive medicines,” stated Peter Goldschmidt, president of Sandoz. “We believe it is important to provide a high-quality and affordable alternative to the millions of Americans affected by hypertension.”

U.S. sales of branded amlodipine/valsartan tablets totaled about $329 million for the 12 months ended in January, according to IMS Health data reported by Sandoz.