LOSARTAN (Cozaar) is used for treating high blood pressure. It is also used to reduce the risk of stroke in certain patients with high blood pressure and for treating kidney disease in certain patients with type 2 diabetes.
Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist drug. It is used to treat high blood pressure, and to reduce the risk of stroke in certain patients with high blood pressure and for treating kidney disease in certain patients with type 2 diabetes.
Tell your doctor if any of these apply to you:
pregant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
an unusual or allergic reaction to Losartan, other medicines, foods, dyes, preservatives, or other substances
kidney or liver disease
you are on a special diet, such as low-salt diet
electrolyte imblance (eg, low or high levels of potassium in the blood)
How to use:
Strictly follow your doctor's instructions
Follow the directions on the prescription label
Take your doses at regular intervals
Do not stop taking Losartan until you are told so by your doctor
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can
Avoid taking double or extra doses
Safety issues:
Visit your doctor regularly for checks on your progress.
Losartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other tasks that require mental alertness until you know how Losartan affects you.
Tell your doctor if you are going to have surgery.
Avoid salt substitutes unless you are told otherwise by your doctor.
What drug(s) may interact with Losartan?
water pills
antiinflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen
voriconazole
blood pressure medication
rifampin
bosentan
potassium salts or potassium supplements
cimetidine
phenobarbital
delavirdine
MAO inhibitors
fluconazole
lithium
hawthorn
Possible side effects:
If you experience these side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately:
fast or uneven heartbeat, palpitations, or chest pain
difficulty breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, or tightening of the throat
decreased sexual function
swelling of your face, lips, tongue, hads, or feet
decreased amount of urine passed
unusual rash
confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting spells
These side effects usually don't require medical attention (but you should contact your doctor if they continue or are bothersome):
upset stomach
cough
sore or muscle cramps
diarrhea
fatigue or tiredness
nasal congestion or stuffiness
headache
nausea or stomach pain
inability to sleep
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
What is a generic pill?
Generic drug (pl. generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is produced and distributed without a brand name. A generic must contain the same active ingredients as the original formulation. In most cases, it is considered bioequivalent to the brand name counterpart with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties.
