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Losartan (Cozaar) belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease.
Losartan is used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure.
Losartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Losartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.
If you have diabetes, do not use losartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
In extremely rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
You should not use losartan if you are allergic to it.
If you have diabetes, do not use losartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna). You may also need to avoid taking this medicine with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
To make sure losartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
congestive heart failure;
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood); or
if you are dehydrated.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Losartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
It is not known whether losartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Take losartan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You may take losartan with or without food.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.
It may take 3 to 6 weeks of using losartan before your blood pressure goes down somewhat. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of losartan.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking this medicine, unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to losartan: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
In extremely rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to potential kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
a feeling that you might pass out;
pain or burning when you urinate;
pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
wheezing, chest pain;
drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).
Common losartan side effects may include:
cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever;
dry cough;
muscle cramps;
pain in your legs or back;
stomach pain, diarrhea;
headache, dizziness;
tired feeling; or
sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usual Adult Dose of Losartan for Diabetic Nephropathy:
Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: 25 to 100 mg orally in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: 25 to 100 mg orally in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with losartan, especially:
a diuretic or "water pill";
other blood pressure medications;
lithium;
celecoxib; or
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with losartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use losartan only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Losartan Potassium (www.drugs.com/losartan.html).
Commonly reported side effects of losartan include: asthenia, chest pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and hypoglycemia. Other side effects include: hyperkalemia, hypotension, and orthostatic hypotension. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to losartan: oral tablet
Oral route (Tablet)
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue losartan as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury or death to the developing fetus.
Along with its needed effects, losartan may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking losartan:
More common
Rare
Incidence not known
Some side effects of losartan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Less common
Rare
Applies to losartan: oral tablet
The most common adverse reactions were upper respiratory infection and dizziness.
Common (1% to 10%): Nasal congestion, upper respiratory infection, sinusitis, pharyngitis, cough, sinus disorder
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea
Frequency not reported: Bronchitis, pharyngeal discomfort, epistaxis, rhinitis, respiratory congestion
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Obstipation, vomiting
Frequency not reported: Constipation, dental pain, dry mouth, flatulence, gastritis
Common (1% to 10%): Muscle cramp, back pain, leg pain, myalgia
Frequency not reported: Arm pain, hip pain, joint swelling, knee pain, musculoskeletal pain, shoulder pain, stiffness, arthralgia, arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle weakness
Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis
Common (1% to 10%): Renal impairment, renal failure, BUN increased, serum creatinine increased
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, vertigo
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence
Rare (less than 0.1%): Paresthesia, syncope, cerebrovascular accident
Frequency not reported: Ataxia, hypesthesia, memory impairment, migraine, peripheral neuropathy, tremor, taste perversion, tinnitus
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia/fatigue, edema/swelling, chest pain
Frequency not reported: Facial edema, fever, orthostatic effects
Postmarketing reports: Malaise
Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia, serum potassium increased, hypoglycemia
Frequency not reported: Anorexia, gout
Postmarketing reports: Hyponatremia
Common (1% to 10%): Orthostatic hypotension
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitation, angina pectoris
Rare (less than 0.1%): Atrial fibrillation
Frequency not reported: Second degree atrioventricular block, hypotension, myocardial infarction, sinus bradycardia, tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, flushing
Postmarketing reports: Vasculitis
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sleep disorder
Frequency not reported: Anxiety, anxiety disorder, confusion, depression, dream abnormality, libido decreased, nervousness, panic disorder
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hemolysis
Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, pruritus, rash
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema, superficial peeling of palms
Frequency not reported: Alopecia, dermatitis, dry skin, ecchymosis, erythema, photosensitivity, sweating
Postmarketing reports: Erythroderma
Rare (less than 0.1%): ALT increased
Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, liver enzymes increased, serum bilirubin increased, pancreatitis, liver function abnormalities
Frequency not reported: Impotence, nocturia, urinary frequency, urinary tract infection
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, burning/stinging in the eye, conjunctivitis, visual acuity decreased
Frequency not reported: Flu-like symptoms
Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions, hypersensitivity reactions
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Losartan Potassium (www.drugs.com/losartan.html).
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