Chemical Name

Losartan

 

Ingredients

Active Ingredients: Losartan

 

Non-Active Ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose hydrous, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide.

 

Indications

Cozaar is used to treat hypertension, high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure, as well as to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease.

 

How It Works

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Losartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

 

Dosage

Tablets (25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg)

 

The usual dosage of losartan should be one 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg pill per day administered in a single dose or two divided doses. This should be gradually increased to 100 mg per day.

 

Precautions

Cozaar is contraindicated in pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Cozaar, any of its components or if you are suffering from dehydration or are unable to urinate.

 

Before taking Cozaar, tell your doctor if you have a history of kidney disease (or are on dialysis), liver disease, low or high blood levels of potassium, congestive heart failure, asthma, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs.

 

Some things may lower your blood pressure too much. Including vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low-salt diet, or taking other diuretics (water pills). Follow your doctor's instructions about amount of liquids you should drink as well as the types of liquids you should drink while taking  and losartan. Tell your doctor if you are prone to diarrhea or vomiting or if you have a condition causing either of these. Do not use salt substitutes and do not take potassium supplements unless your doctor has told you to do so.

 

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure does not have external symptoms. Do not suddenly stop taking this medication, always consult your doctor about gradually ending treatment or switching medication.

 

Avoid losing excess amounts of water, becoming overheated, dehydrated, exercising excessively or in hot weather. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough. All patients should be cautioned that excessive sweating and dehydration may lead to a fall in blood pressure because of the decrease in fluid volume. Other causes of volume depletion such as vomiting or diarrhea may also lead to a fall in blood pressure; patients should be advised to consult with the physician.

 

Avoid getting up too fast, which may make you feel dizzy. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of  and losartan.

 

This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby and has been known to cause birth defects. Before taking Cozaar, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Cozaar passes into breast milk and may causes harm to a nursing baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. You should not be breast feeding on this medication. 

Drug Interactions

Consult a doctor before taking Cozaar if you are taking any of the following: other diuretics "water pills" or other blood pressure medications, steroids (prednisone or others), lithium, digoxin, celecoxib, cholestyramine or colestipol, steroids, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, indomethacin, naproxen, piroxicam, nabumetone, etodolac, and others, rifampin, a barbiturate such as phenobarbital or others or insulin and diabetes medicine taken orally.

 

Avoid other medicines that can cause light-headed and drowsiness (such as cold medicine, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). These can add to the side effects of  and losartan. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other blood pressure medications. Do not use salt substitutes and do not take potassium supplements unless your doctor has told you to do so.

 

Before using this Cozaar, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription medications, including herbal products, minerals and vitamins you may be taking. Other medications may affect how Cozaar works or may cause other unforeseen complications.

 

Adverse/Side Effects

It is common that Cozaar causes the following minor side effects: stomach pain, back pain, dry cough, dizziness, headache, tired feeling, diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, mild skin rash, or increased sweating. If these side effects persist or become overly bothersome contact your doctor or health-care professional.

 

If you experience any of these less common but serious side effects contact you doctor immediately: high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling), low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling), nausea, vomiting, fainting, feeling weak, drowsy, restless, light-headedness, a red, blistering, peeling skin rash, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, seizures (convulsions), jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), urinating less than usual or not at all, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, fever, chills, body aches, and flu symptoms. 

 

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. This may not be a complete list of side effects and may be subject to change, consult with your doctor or pharmacist if you are experiencing any worrisome side effects.

 

Overdose

If you suspect overdose, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose include feeling light-headed, fast or slow heartbeat, or fainting.

 

Storage Instructions

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light, and out of reach of children and pets.