What is Losartan?
Losartan can be used by itself or in combination with another medication to treat high blood pressure in adults and children older than 6 years.Losartan can also be used to reduce the risk of stroke in people with high blood pressure who have a condition known as left ventricular hypertrophy. (An enlargement of heart walls on the left side)Losartan does not reduce the risk of stroke for African Americans with these conditions.Losartan can also be used to treat kidney diseases in people with type II diabetes and high blood pressure.Losartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin receptor antagonists. It works by blocking certain substances that tighten blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow better and the heart to pump more efficiently.
Warnings
Losartan can harm or kill an unborn child during the second or third trimester.Losartan should not be taken with any medications that contain aliskiren, a blood pressure medication.If you have kidney problems, you may need to avoid taking aliskiren with losartan.This medicine may cause kidney failure in rare cases. If you experience unexplained weakness, muscle tenderness, or pain, call your doctor immediately, especially if there is a fever, unusual fatigue, or dark urine.
Before you take this drug
Losartan is not recommended if there's an allergic reaction.Losartan should not be taken with any medications that contain aliskiren, a blood pressure medication.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medicine will be safe for you:
- Heart disease or congestive heart failure
- An electrolyte imbalance is a high potassium level in the blood.
- If you're on a diet low in salt,
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease is a serious condition.
If you have kidney problems, you may need to avoid taking aliskiren with losartan.Losartan may cause harm or even death to an unborn child if taken during the second or third trimester.Inform your doctor if breastfeeding is a concern.
How to take Losartan?
Take the prescribed medication as directed by your physician. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your prescription. Sometimes your doctor will change the dose.Losartan is typically taken once per day.Losartan can be taken with or without food.If you have diarrhoea or nausea, call your doctor. Losartan can cause you to become dehydrated. This can cause very low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance, as well as renal failure.You may require frequent blood tests to check your blood pressure.Even if you are feeling well, continue to take this medication if you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often asymptomatic.Store tightly closed, at room temperature, and away from moisture, light, heat, or humidity.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for diabetic nephropathy:
Initial dose: 50mg orally, once per day.
Maximum dose: 100 mg once daily orally
Comments:
If hypertensive patients who have left ventricular hypertrophy or diabetic type 2 nephropathy require titration of the initial dose, increase it to 100 mg once daily.
In some studies, the maximum effect was seen in three to six weeks.
Uses:
Treatment of hypertension
Reduce the risk of stroke among patients with hypertension or left ventricular hypertrophy.
Treatment of diabetic kidney disease with an elevated serum creatinine level and proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes and a prior history of hypertension
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 50mg orally, once per day.
Maximum dose: 100 mg once daily orally
Comments:
If hypertensive diabetic patients or patients with left-ventricular hypertrophy require titration, increase the dose to 100mg orally once per day.
In some studies, the maximum effect was seen in three to six weeks.
Uses:
Treatment of hypertension
Reduce the risk of stroke among patients with hypertension or left ventricular hypertrophy.
Treatment of diabetic kidney disease with elevated serum creatinine (urinary albumin/creatinine ratio greater than 300 mg/g) in patients with type 2 diabetes who have a history of hypertension
The usual paediatric dose for hypertension is:
Six years and older
Initial dose: orally, 0.7 mg/kg once daily (up to a total of 50 mg).
Comments:
can be administered as a tablet, suspension, or liquid.
Paediatric patients have not received doses above 1.4 mg/kg (or a daily dose of 100mg).
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of a medicine at the same time.
What happens if I overdose?
For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.
What should be avoided?
You may get dizzy if you stand up quickly from a seated or lying position.Use potassium supplements and salt substitutes only if your doctor recommends them.
Side effects of Losartan
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Losartan may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- High potassium: nausea; weakness; tingling feeling; chest pains; irregular heartbeats; or loss of mobility
- Kidney disease: swelling, less urination, feeling tired, or shortness of breath.
Common losartan side effects may include:
- Dizziness, tiredness;
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar
- Diarrhoea;
- Backache
- Cold symptoms like a stuffy nose and sneezing.
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications at the same time. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective.
Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including:
- Diuretics or "water pills" that may increase potassium in the blood, such as spironolactone, triamterene, and amiloride
- Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin (Advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac (Indomethacin), meloxicam (Aleve), and celecoxib.
- Heart or blood pressure medications
This list is incomplete. Losartan may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
