Cozaar (Losartan)

General information

Cozaar is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow. Cozaar is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease. It is used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure and protein in the urine (proteinuria). It may be used alone or in combination with a diuretic.

Directions

Take Cozaar exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You may take Cozaar with or without food. The usual recommended dose of losartan is 50 mg or 100 mg once daily. In some cases, a lower starting dose of 25 mg once daily may be advisable. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Keep using Cozaar even if you feel fine.

Precautions

Before taking Cozaar tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, congestive heart failure, electrolyte imbalance, or if you are dehydrated. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Cozaar. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position.

Contraindications

You should not take Cozaar if you are pregnant, or allergic to losartan or to any of the ingredients of the medication.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have wheezing, pale skin, hives, rapid heart rate, yellowing of skin, chest pain, difficulty breathing, weak pulse, muscle weakness. Less serious side effects may include: headache, stomach pain, insomnia, dizziness, muscle cramps, dry cough, stuffy nose, abdominal pain, loss of appetite.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially: salt substitutes that contain potassium, rifampin, lithium, blood pressure medications (ramipril, enalapril), anti-inflammatory medications, diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, diclofenac, ibuprofen). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are dizziness, fast or slow heartbeat.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature away from light and moisture. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.