Losartan Hydrochlorothiazide MedFacts

Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used to decrease the risk of stroke in certain patients with high blood pressure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide is a combination angiotensin II receptor blocker and diuretic. The angiotensin II receptor blocker works by relaxing the blood vessels. Exactly how the diuretic works to decrease blood pressure is unknown, but it helps the kidneys to eliminate fluid and sodium from the body.

Do NOT use Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide or to any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, sulfamethoxazole)
• you are pregnant
• you have severe liver or kidney problems or are unable to urinate
• you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin

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

Consider before using Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you 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 had a severe reaction (eg, swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; trouble swallowing or breathing; hoarseness) after taking any other angiotensin II receptor blocker or an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, captopril)
• if you are dehydrated; have low blood volume; have low blood sodium, chloride, potassium, or magnesium levels; or have high blood calcium levels
• if you have asthma; diabetes; gout; heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure); liver, gallbladder, or kidney problems; high blood cholesterol or lipid levels; or systemic lupus erythematosus
• if you have recently had nerve surgery

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Dofetilide or ketanserin because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), diuretics (eg, furosemide), narcotic pain medicines (eg, morphine), or other medicines for high blood pressure because they may increase the risk of Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 's side effects
• Cholestyramine, colestipol, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, celecoxib) because they may decrease Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 's effectiveness
• Diazoxide, digoxin, lithium, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, tubocurarine), potassium, or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because risk of their side effects and toxic effects may be increased by Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide
• Diabetes medicine (eg, glipizide, metformin), insulin, or pressor amines (eg, norepinephrine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 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/Hydrochlorothiazide Usage Guidelines

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

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide by mouth with or without food.
• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.
• If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide .
• Continue to take Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide , 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/Hydrochlorothiazide .

Important safety information on losartan

• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 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.
• Report any lightheadedness or fainting to your doctor immediately. Your risk of lightheadedness or fainting may be increased if you experience diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, if you do not drink enough fluids, or if you are on a low-salt diet.
• 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/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• Your doctor may have also prescribed a potassium supplement for you. If so, follow the dosing carefully. Do not start taking additional potassium on your own or change your diet to include more potassium without first checking with your doctor.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Diabetes patients - Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide has not been shown to reduce the risk of stroke or certain heart problems in black patients who have high blood pressure.
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide may interfere with certain lab tests, including parathyroid function tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide .
• Lab tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, and blood electrolytes, may be performed while you use Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide . 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.
• Use Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide .

Side effects may be caused by Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide

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:

Back pain; diarrhea; dizziness; lightheadedness, especially when sitting up or standing; nausea; numbness or tingling of the skin; tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; decrease in sexual ability; decreased urination; depression; drowsiness; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hoarseness; muscle pain, tenderness, or cramps; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; restlessness; seizures; severe or persistent dry mouth; shortness of breath; swelling of the arms or legs; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual thirst; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

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. 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 confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; severe or unusual dizziness.

Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide storage instructions:

Store Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 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/Hydrochlorothiazide out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide 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/Hydrochlorothiazide . 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.