losartan
What is the most important information I should know about losartan?Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Losartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. If you have diabetes, do not use losartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo). What is losartan?Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Losartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease. Losartan is used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure. Losartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking losartan?You should not use losartan if you are allergic to it. If you have diabetes, do not use losartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo). You may also need to avoid taking losartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease. Do not use if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. Losartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. To make sure losartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: - kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- congestive heart failure;
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as high levels of potassium in your blood);
- if you are on a low-salt diet; or
- if you are dehydrated.
It is not known whether losartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine. Losartan is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old. How should I take losartan?Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. You may take losartan with or without food. Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may need other blood and urine tests at your doctor's office. It may take 3 to 6 weeks of using this medicine before your blood pressure is under control. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your condition does not improve after 3 weeks of treatment. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. What happens if I miss a dose?Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. What happens if I overdose?Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. What should I avoid while taking losartan?Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of losartan. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking losartan, unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall. What are the possible side effects of losartan?Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: - a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- pain or burning when you urinate;
- pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
- chest pain;
- high potassium --nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement; or
- kidney problems --little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.
Common side effects may include: - dizziness;
- dry cough;
- back pain; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. What other drugs will affect losartan?Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: - a diuretic or "water pill";
- other blood pressure medications;
- lithium;
- celecoxib; or
- aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with losartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Where can I get more information?Your pharmacist can provide more information about losartan.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2017 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 14.01. Revision date: 5/6/2016.
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Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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