Safety and Efficacy of Valsartan and Amlodipine Combined and Alone in Patients With Hypertension.

Exclusion Criteria

• •Severe hypertension (grade 3 WHO classification; MSDBP \>=110 mmHg diastolic and/or MSSBP \>= 180 mmHg systolic).
• •Inability to discontinue all prior anti-hypertensive medications safely for a period of 14 weeks).
• •Known Keith-Wagener grade III or IV hypertensive retinopathy.
• •History of hypertensive encephalopathy or cerebrovascular accident at anytime prior to Visit 1 (week -2 to -4).
• •Transient ischemic cerebral attack during the last 12 months prior to Visit 1 (week -2 to -4).
• •Evidence of a secondary form of hypertension, such as coarctation of the aorta, hyperaldosteronism, unilateral renal artery stenosis, or pheochromocytoma, etc.
• •Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
• •Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with poor glucose control as defined by fasting glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) \>8% at Visit 1 (week -2 to -4).
• •Administration of any agent indicated for the treatment of hypertension within a minimum 4 weeks prior to randomization into the study (Visit 2, week 0), with the permitted exception of those anti-hypertensive medications requiring tapering down commencing at Visit 0 (week -4 to -6).
• •Known or suspected contraindications, including history of allergy to angiotensin receptor blockers or calcium channel blockers.