Generic Name: losartan (loe SAR tan)Brand Names: Cozaar
Losartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Losartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
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 muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
congestive heart failure; or
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood); or
if you are dehydrated.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
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.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
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 symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store losartan at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.See also: Losartan dosage in more detail
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out.
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.
feeling like you might pass out;
painful or difficult urination;
chest pain;
numbness or tingly feeling;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
swelling in your hands or feet; or
slow heart rate, weak pulse, tingly feeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;
muscle, leg, or back pain;
stomach pain, diarrhea;
headache, dizziness;
tired feeling; 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 may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetic Nephropathy:
Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day.Maintenance dose: 25 to 100 mg orally in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day.Maintenance dose: 25 to 100 mg orally in 1 to 2 divided doses.
Before taking losartan, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
a diuretic (water pill);
lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid, Lithonate);
celecoxib (Celebrex); or
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with losartan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.