Losartan

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (loe sar' tan)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Losartan is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Losartan is also used to decrease the risk of stroke in people who have high blood pressure and a heart condition called left ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the walls of the left side of the heart). Losartan may not decrease the risk of stroke in African Americans who have these conditions. This medication is also used to treat kidney disease in people who have type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) and high blood pressure. Losartan is in a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of certain natural substances that tighten the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently.

High blood pressure is a common condition, and when not treated it can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.


How should this medicine be used?

Losartan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. To help you remember to take losartan, take it at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take losartan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of losartan and gradually increase your dose.

If your child can not swallow a tablet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. The pharmacist can prepare a liquid form of this medication for your child.

Losartan controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Your blood pressure may decrease during the first week of your treatment, but it may take 3 to 6 weeks for you to notice the full benefit of losartan. Continue to take losartan even if you feel well. Do not stop taking losartan without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking losartan,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to losartan, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in losartan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor if you have diabetes (high blood sugar) and you are taking aliskiren (Tekturna, in Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tekturna HCT). Your doctor will probably tell you not to take losartan if you have diabetes and you are also taking aliskiren.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten, in Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Prinzide, in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, in Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and selective COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex); diuretics ('water pills') including potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, in Aldactazide), and triamterene (Dyrenium, in Dyazide, in Maxzide); fluconazole (Diflucan); lithium ( Lithobid); phenobarbital; potassium supplements; and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or kidney or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
  • you should know that losartan may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking losartan. To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
  • you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting. Tell your doctor if you have any of these problems or develop them during your treatment.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Losartan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • leg, knee, or back pain
  • muscle cramps or weakness
  • diarrhea
  • heartburn
  • decreased sensitivity to touch
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
  • swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • hoarseness
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • chest pain

Losartan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat, light, and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Angiotensin II Antagonists, Plain
  • Agents Acting on the Renin-Angiotensin System
  • Angiotensin II Antagonists and Diuretics
  • Angiotensin II Antagonists and Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inducers
  • Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
  • Co
Prescribed May be used as a first line agent to treat uncomplicated hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. May be used...
Weight :422.911
Structure Losartan
Generic Drug Losartan prescribed May be used as a first line agent to treat uncomplicated hypertension, isolated systolic hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. May be used...
Formula

C22H23ClN6O

Losartan has 33 Brands listed


Angizaar FC (25 mg)Angizaar FC (50 mg)
Asortan (25 mg)Asortan (50 mg)
Etotan (25 mg)Etotan (50 mg)
Hypart (50 mg)Lomasar (25 mg)
Lomasar (50 mg)Lopar (25 mg)
Lopar (50 mg)Lopassium (25 mg)
Lopassium (50 mg)Lopt (25 mg)
Lopt (50 mg)Lortan (50 mg)
Losa (500 mg)Losaday (50 mg)
Losaden (50 mg)Losain (50 mg)
Losartan 25mg (Jan Aushadhi)Losatec (50 mg)
Losin (50 mg)Losit (50 mg)
Lot (25 mg)Lot (50 mg)
Miotin (50 mg)Olas (25 mg)
Olas (50 mg)Ostan (25 mg)
Ostan (50 mg)Zaart (25 mg)
Zaart (50 mg)

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