Losartan is a prescription medicine available in oral tablet form. This tablet is sold under the brand name Cozaar. It is also available as a generic drug at a lower cost.
Losartan is primarily used to treat high blood pressure and certain kidney conditions. It helps relax blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and reducing the risk of complications like strokes or heart attacks.
What Are the Uses of Losartan Tablet?
Losartan is commonly prescribed for various heart and kidney-related conditions. It helps improve overall heart health and kidney function.
Treats diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes)
Controlling high blood pressure can help prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease. Losartan also relaxes blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.
Secondary Uses of Losartan
May be used in combination therapy with other medications to lower blood pressure.
How Does Losartan Work (Mechanism of Action)?
Losartan tablet works by blocking the action of a substance called angiotensin II that tightens blood vessels.
Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which helps blood vessels relax. This lowers blood pressure, improves blood flow, and reduces the workload on the heart.
Dosage Instructions for Losartan
The dosage of Losartan depends on your health condition and how your body responds to the treatment. This is the most common form. Available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Always take the dose as prescribed by your doctor.
Typical Dosage
Dosage for hypertension:
Adult dosage: First dosage is 50 mg losartan/ 12.5 mg Hydrochlorothiazide or *100 mg losartan/ 12.5 mg Hydrochlorothiazide once per day.
The dosage will depend on the blood pressure drug that you were taking before.
Dosage for left ventricular hypertrophy
Adult dosage: The first dosage is 50 mg losartan/ 12.5 mg Hydrochlorothiazide or once per day. If it can't control the blood pressure level, then your doctor may increase the dosage.
Losartan is often combined with Hydrochlorothiazide:
50 mg losartan/ 12.5 mg Hydrochlorothiazide
100 mg losartan/ 12.5 mg Hydrochlorothiazide
100mg losartan/ 25 mg Hydrochlorothiazide
How do you take Losartan?
Losartan should be taken as prescribed by the Doctor. Follow your prescriptions to get the best results. The dosage will depend on multiple factors:
Type of condition
Age
Weight
Other medical conditions
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Losartan?
Missing one or two-dose of losartan won't show any effect on your body.
The skipped dose causes no problem. However, with some medications, it won't work if you don't take the dosage on time.
If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body.
In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
What Happens in Case of an Overdose?
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed losartan tablets, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body's functions.
The common side effects will go away within a few days if major precautions are taken after consulting a Doctor.
Serious Losartan side effects
High Potassium in the Blood:
Heart rhythm problems
Muscle weakness
Heart rate getting slow
Allergic reactions: Swelling of face, lips, throat and tongue
Low blood pressure: Feeling Faint
Kidney problems: Swelling in feet, ankles and hands
Abnormal weight gain: If you have any of these serious symptoms, immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Losartan, if you get any kind of reaction in your body, try avoiding it.
If you experience serious symptoms, contact your doctor promptly. Seek medical assistance immediately for any severe side effects of Losartan.
Precautions for Losartan
Before taking losartan, tell your doctor if you've taken any medicine in the past or have had allergic reactions.
Avoid the usage of alcohol or cigarettes if you are taking losartan tablets.
People with sulfonamide energy: If your body is allergic to sulfonamide then avoid taking losartan tablets. Consult your doctor if you have allergies.
People with kidney disease: If you're having any kind of kidney disease then this drug can cause you some measure side effects.
People with diabetes: If you're taking drugs for diabetics then your doctor may adjust the drugs. The doctor will also guide you in how often you can test the blood sugar levels.
Pregnant women: Research indicates potential fetal adverse effects if a mother takes this drug during pregnancy. While the risk of pregnancy loss or birth defects seems low, consult your doctor before using the medication to ensure safety.
Breastfeeding: Losartan passes into breast milk, potentially causing side effects in breastfed infants like diarrhea, vomiting, and rash. Consult your doctor before taking Losartan while breastfeeding.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Using Losartan?
Losartan may be prescribed for adults and children over 6 years old under strict medical supervision.
Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Losartan?
Avoid alcohol, as it may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effect and increase the risk of dizziness or fainting.
How to get rid of Losartan side effects?
Dizziness: If losartan tablets make you feel dizzy, then stand for a while or try sitting slowly. If the dizziness continues, lie down to avoid falls or injury.
Headaches: Drink enough water. Avoid the consumption of alcohol to not get into any measure trouble. Keep your body hydrated.
Nausea: Take losartan tablets after a meal. Try to avoid spicy foods.
Joint or muscle pain: If you get muscle pain or feel tired and weak, then consult your doctor immediately.
Possible Interactions with Other Medications
Losartan may interact with other drugs, altering how it works or increasing side effects. Always inform your doctor about all the medicines you take.
Interactions with Herbal Products: Some herbal remedies may also affect blood pressure. Talk to your doctor before using them.
How Should Losartan Be Stored?
Direct contact with heat, air, and light may damage your medicines.
The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects.
The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children's reach.
Mainly, the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Losartan vs Lisinopril
Losartan
Lisinopril
Losartan is a prescribed drug that comes in an oral tablet. This tablet is available in the brand name Cozaar.
Lisinopril belongs to an angiotensin-converting enzyme. It helps in controlling low blood pressure. The tablet is available in the brand name called Zestril and Prinivil.
Side effects of Losartan are: Vomiting, headache, chest pain, back pain and low blood pressure
Side effects of lisinopril are dry cough, headaches, diarrhea, itching and blurred vision.
Losartan can be used for treating high blood pressure
Lisinopril can be used for Treating high blood pressure and heart failure
Reduce the risk of stroke if you're having high blood pressure and are left with ventricular hypertrophy.
Losartan is safe to take if you’re experiencing any serious symptoms. However, you should consult your doctor for the best way to take it.
Grapefruits and juice may reduce the efficacy of losartan. If any interaction is suspected, then grapes should be avoided.
Irbesartan is a proper substitute for losartan. But before going for the substitute, consult your doctor.
Losartan is less likely to cause a dry cough than lisinopril. Cough is rare with losartan but can still happen in some people.
Losartan stays in your system for about 24 hours, but its effects may last longer due to its active metabolite.
No, losartan is not safe during pregnancy. It can harm the unborn baby, especially in the second and third trimesters.
Both are ARBs used to treat high blood pressure, but they differ slightly in how long they work and how your body processes them.
Disclaimer: The information provided is accurate and up-to-date to the best of our knowledge. However, it should not be considered a substitute for medical advice or consultation. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. The absence of specific warnings does not mean a medicine is safe for all users. We are not responsible for any outcomes based on this information and strongly recommend consulting a doctor for any medical concerns or questions.
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