Losartan – what it is, what it is for and side effects!

Losartan is a   medication that helps lower blood pressure and it prevents blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. It is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease. This medication  is used to delay long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes  who also have high blood pressure.

This medication  may also be used for purposes not mentioned in this medication guide.

Important information about losartan:

Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. This medicine  can cause injury or death to an unborn baby if you take the medicine  during the second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.

You should not use this medication  if you are allergic to losartan . If you have diabetes , do not use  together with any medication  that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

In rare cases, it can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever, unusual tiredness, and dark-colored urine.

Precautions before taking losartan:

You should not use losartan if you are allergic to it. If you have diabetes , do not use this medication  together with any medication  that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna). You may also need to avoid taking this drug  with aliskiren if you have kidney disease .

• kidney disease ;
•  Liver disease ;
• Congestive heart failure;
• electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in the blood);
• If you are dehydrated.

FDA Pregnancy Category D. Do not use if pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant. In addition, this medication can cause injury or death to an unborn baby if you take the medication  during the second or third trimester.

Use effective birth control. It is not known whether losartan passes into breast milk or whether it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine .

How to take losartan?

Take losartan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all instructions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to ensure you get the best results. Do not take this medication  in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

You can take losartan with or without food. Call your doctor if you experience vomiting or diarrhea , or if you’re 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 frequently. Visit your doctor regularly. It may take 3 to 6 weeks of using Losartan  before your blood pressure is under control. For best results, continue to use medication as directed. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, continue using this medication  even if you feel fine. 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 of losartan?

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 for the missed dose.

Or what should I avoid taking losartan?

Drinking alcohol can further lower blood pressure and increase some losartan side effects . Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while taking this medication unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid getting up too quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and hold on tight to avoid falling.

Losartan side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to losartan : hives; breathing difficulty; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

In rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever, unusual tiredness, and dark-colored urine.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Feeling that you might pass out;
• Pain or burning when urinating;
• pale skin, feeling dizzy or short of breath, fast heart rate, difficulty concentrating;
• Wheezing, chest pain;
• Drowsiness, confusion, mood swings, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
• Swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, urinating less than usual or not feeling anything at all; or
• High potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingling sensation).

Common side effects of losartan can include:

cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever;

• Dry cough;
• Muscle cramps;
• Pain in the legs or back;
• Stomach pain, diarrhea ;
• Dizziness, headache;
• Feeling tired; or
• Sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect losartan?

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during treatment with losartan , especially:

• A diuretic or “water pill”;
• Other  blood pressure medications ;
• Lithium;
• Celecoxib;
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam and others.