Losartan

Losartan

Losartan is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It is also used to reduce the risk of stroke in certain patients with high blood pressure and for treating kidney disease in certain patients with type 2 diabetes.

Losartan is an angiotensin-2 receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the action of angiotensin-2 in the body, which relaxes blood vessels and helps the kidneys to eliminate extra sodium and fluids.

Do NOT use Losartan if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Losartan
• you are pregnant
• the patient is a child with severely decreased kidney function

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Losartan

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Losartan . Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have kidney problems, liver problems, congestive heart failure, blood electrolyte problems (eg, low sodium levels or high potassium levels), or low fluid volume (eg, dehydration)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Losartan . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Potassium or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because the risk of irregular heartbeat due to high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Indomethacin because it may decrease Losartan 's effectiveness
• Lithium because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Losartan

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Losartan may interact with other medicines you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Losartan Usage Guidelines

You should use Losartan as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Losartan by mouth with or without food.
• Take this medicine on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Continue to take Losartan even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Losartan , take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Losartan .

Important safety information on losartan

• Losartan may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Losartan with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Losartan may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Losartan has not been shown to reduce the risk of stroke or certain heart problems in black patients who have high blood pressure.
• Diabetes patients - Losartan may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Losartan . These tests can be used to monitor your medical condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Losartan should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Losartan is not recommended for use in CHILDREN who have severely decreased kidney function.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Losartan after the third month of pregnancy. It may cause injury or death to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is unknown if Losartan is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Losartan .

Side effects may be caused by Losartan

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Diarrhea; dizziness; tiredness; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dark urine; decreased amount of urine; hoarseness; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or tenderness; stomach pain; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; rapid or unusually slow heartbeat; severe dizziness.

Losartan storage instructions:

Store Losartan at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Losartan out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Losartan , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Losartan is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Losartan . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.