They found that the treatment reduced blood pressure more than a placebo. Dizziness is a common side effect of losartan. This usually affects people who are just beginning treatment, as their bodies are adjusting to the drug. To prevent dizziness or associated injuries, doctors advise people to change positions slowly.
For example, carefully move from a lying position to a sitting one, and from a seated position to an upright one. Avoid driving or using heavy machinery while dizzy. See a doctor if dizziness or lightheadedness persists or gets worse. Most people do not experience serious adverse reactions to losartan potassium. Call or go to the nearest emergency department if symptoms of an allergic reaction to the drug occur.
Allergy symptoms include:. Losartan potassium is not suitable for everyone. People with hypertension should consider and talk to a doctor about the following factors before taking losartan potassium :. People who are allergic to losartan potassium or other inactive ingredients in the drug should avoid it. Inactive ingredients in Cozaar are:. Losartan and similar medicines can affect a fetus. They may affect the kidney function of the fetus and increase their risk of illness or death. People taking losartan should speak to their doctor immediately after confirming the pregnancy, as they will likely need to stop taking the medication until the baby is born.
The FDA advise that people who breast-feed should not take losartan, as they do not know whether or not the medication passes into the breast milk. People who have any of the following conditions should speak to their doctor before taking losartan:. Losartan potassium can interact with some drugs and supplements. People should give their doctor a complete list of the prescription medications, non-prescription medications, vitamins , and supplements they take.
Losartan potassium , sold as Cozaar, is available in tablet form in three doses:. The dosage of losartan a person will take will depend on several factors. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication. Potassium: Increases in blood levels of potassium can occur with use of this medication.
This rarely causes problems, but your doctor may want to monitor your potassium levels through blood tests. Pregnancy: Losartan should not be taken by pregnant women as it can cause severe harm or death to an unborn child. If you are planning to become pregnant, discuss alternative medications for blood pressure control with your doctor.
If you become pregnant while taking this medication, stop taking it and tell your doctor at once. Breast-feeding: It is not known if losartan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 6 years of age.
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them.
Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed. Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter non-prescription , and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take.
Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. All material copyright MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www. Losartan is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure hypertension.
High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.
Lowering blood pressure may reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten.
As a result, losartan relaxes the blood vessels. A lower blood pressure will increase the supply of the blood and oxygen to the heart. Losartan is also used to decrease the risk of stroke in patients with high blood pressure and enlargement of the heart. It is also used to treat kidney problems in patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of hypertension. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.
For this medicine, the following should be considered:. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of losartan to treat high blood pressure in children 6 years of age and older. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 6 years of age. No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of losartan to treat other indications in the pediatric population.
Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of losartan combination in the elderly.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.
If you're bothered by side effects, your doctor may be able to prescribe you a different blood pressure-lowering medicine. Even if your blood pressure is successfully lowered by losartan, it's best to carry on taking it. If you stop taking losartan, your blood pressure could rise back up again. If you need blood pressure-lowering medicines, you'll probably need to take them for the rest of your life. Remember, by keeping your blood pressure low, you're protecting yourself against having a heart attack or stroke in the future.
Some samples contained traces of a chemical NDMA. NDMA may be linked to a very small increased risk of developing cancer. They have recalled any affected batches from the manufacturers while they investigate further. Drinking alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of losartan, which can make you feel dizzy or light-headed.
During the first few days of taking losartan or after a dose increase, it is best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine affects you. If you find losartan makes you feel dizzy it's best to stop drinking alcohol. Do not use salt substitutes such as Lo-Salt.
This is because they are high in potassium. When mixed with losartan they may make the level of potassium in your blood too high. There's nothing else you need to avoid while taking losartan. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help if you have high blood pressure. There are several other angiotensin receptor blockers that work in the same way as losartan.
They include candesartan , irbesartan and valsartan. The blood pressure-lowering medicine you're prescribed depends on your age and ethnicity:. Many people need to take a combination of different blood pressure-lowering medicines. Losartan works as well as other angiotensin receptor blockers when it's used to lower blood pressure.
Its side effects are also similar. It also works as well as ramipril and other angiotensin converting enzyme ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure. Losartan can be taken by people who have tried ramipril or other ACE inhibitors but had to stop taking them because of side effects such as a dry, irritating cough. If you're going to be put to sleep for an operation using a general anaesthetic , tell your doctor that you're taking losartan.
Losartan can reduce your blood pressure when it's used with general anaesthetics. Your doctor will probably advise you to stop taking losartan 24 hours before surgery. There's some evidence that losartan might help prevent migraines. However, losartan is not officially approved for migraine.
Your doctor will probably advise you to try other medicines first. At present, medicines like nifedipine are used first for Raynaud's phenomenon. But if your condition doesn't improve, your doctor might try losartan.
There have been some studies which have looked at whether blood pressure medicines could help protect people against Alzheimer's. However, at the moment, there is not enough evidence to recommend taking losartan or other similar medicines for Alzheimer's. There are steps you can take that may reduce your risk of Alzheimer's. If you are worried about getting Alzheimer's disease in the future or have a family history of this condition, speak to your doctor.
There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking losartan will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, if you're trying to get pregnant, talk to your doctor first. This medicine is usually not recommended in pregnancy. However, some types of hormonal methods of contraception, such as the combined contraceptive pill and contraceptive patch , aren't usually recommended for women with high blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor if you're taking a combined hormonal contraceptive. Losartan can make you feel dizzy - especially when you first start taking it or after taking a bigger dose. If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery until you feel better.
You can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes. These will also help if you have high blood pressure or heart failure. Page last reviewed: 13 December Next review due: 13 December Losartan On this page About losartan Key facts Who can and can't take losartan How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About losartan Losartan is a medicine widely used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure , and to protect your kidneys if you have both kidney disease and diabetes.
This medicine is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets. NHS coronavirus advice If you have coronavirus, or think you might have it, keep taking your blood pressure medicines as usual. Updated: 17 March
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