What is Hyzaar?
Hyzaar is a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and losartan. Hydrochlorothiazide, also known as a water pill or thiazide-diuretic, helps to prevent the body from absorbing excessive salt. This can lead to fluid retention.Losartan, also known as an ARB blocker or angiotensin II receptor antagonist, is an angiotensin receptor antagonist. Losartan prevents blood vessels from narrowing. This lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.Hypertension is treated with Hyzaar.Hyzaar can also be used to reduce the risk of stroke for certain heart patients.
Side effects of Hyzaar
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to Hyzaar, seek immediate medical attention: itching; difficulty breathing; swelling on your face, lips, or tongue; swelling around your throat.
If you experience:
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Heartbeat irregularities;
- Eye pain and vision problems
- Kidney disease: little or no urination; rapid weight gain; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles
- New or worsening lupus symptoms: joint pain and a skin reaction on your arms or cheeks that gets worse in the sun;
- Signs of an Electrolyte Imbalance: increased thirst or urination; confusion, vomiting, or constipation; muscle pain or cramps; leg cramps or numbness or tingling sensations
Hyzaar may cause side effects such as:
- Dizziness;
- Back pain is a common complaint.
- Cold symptoms include a stuffy nose, sneezing, and a sore throat.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Do not use Hyzaar if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant.This medicine should not be used if you cannot urinate.Hyzaar should not be used with any medications that contain aliskiren, a blood pressure medication.If you have kidney problems, you may need to avoid using Hyzaar in conjunction with aliskiren.Hyzaar 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
Hyzaar should not be used if you have an allergy to hydrochlorothiazide, losartan, or if your urination is impaired.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure Hyzaar will be safe for you:
- Lupus;
- Liver or kidney disease
- Asthma or allergies
- Diabetes;
- Gout;
- Congestive heart failure;
- Glaucoma;
- Are your potassium levels too low or high in your bloodstream?
- High cholesterol or triglyceride level;
- An allergy to penicillin and sulfa drugs
Hyzaar should not be used if you are pregnant. If you are pregnant, stop using the medication and call your doctor immediately.Breastfeeding mothers must not use this medicine.
Similar/related drugs
Amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, losartan, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide
How to take Hyzaar?
Follow your doctor's instructions and take Hyzaar only as directed. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your prescription. Sometimes your doctor will change the dose.Your blood pressure needs to be checked frequently.If you have diarrhea or nausea, call your doctor. This medicine can cause you to become dehydrated. This can cause very low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance, as well as renal failure.Tell your doctor that you use Hyzaar before you undergo any medical procedures or tests.If you suffer from high blood pressure, continue to use Hyzaar even when you are feeling well. High blood pressure is often asymptomatic. It is possible that you will need to take blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.Store away from moisture, heat and light at room temperature.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
HYPERTENSION:
Losartan 50–100 mg, orally, once per day. Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5–25 mg
Maximum dose: hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg; losartan 100 mg orally, once per day.
Comments:
If hydrochlorothiazide and losartan alone are not controlling blood pressure, the patient may be switched to hydrochlorothiazide (12.25 mg) and losartan (50 mg) orally once daily.
If blood pressure is not controlled after 3 weeks, you may need to increase the dose.
Hypertension. This drug is not recommended for the initial treatment of hypertension unless the severity of the condition is such that the benefits of rapid blood pressure control outweigh the risks of starting combination therapy.
SEVERE HIGH HYPERTENSION
Initial treatment: hydrochlorothiazide 12.5, losartan 50 mg orally, once daily. If blood pressure is not controlled after 2 to 4 weeks, you may increase the dose.
Maximum dose: hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg; losartan 100 mg orally, once per day.
HYPERTENSION WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY:
Initial therapy: Losartan as a monotherapy. If blood pressure is not controlled, this drug may be initiated.
Add-on Therapy: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg and Losartan 50 mg orally, once daily. If blood pressure is not controlled, start hydrochlorothiazide (12.25 mg), then 100mg of losartan orally, once daily.
Use: Reduce the risk of stroke for patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertension. However, there are indications that this benefit is not applicable to black patients.
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 the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Skin cancer is increased by hydrochlorothiazide. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). You may be asked by your doctor to undergo regular skin checks.Use potassium supplements and salt substitutes only if your doctor recommends them.Alcohol can lower blood pressure further and cause adverse effects.Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise, in hot weather, or by drinking too little fluid.
Interaction with other drug
Take your Hyzaar 4 hours before or 4 to six hours after taking cholestyramine.
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- Other blood pressure medications
- Lithium
- Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These include aspirin (Advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac (Indomethacin), meloxicam (Aleve), and celecoxib.
This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, may also interact with hydrochlorothiazide or losartan. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
