What is the most important information I should know about losartan?
Do not use if you are pregnant. Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with losartan.
What is losartan?
Losartan is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure in adults and children at least 6 years old.
Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke in certain people with heart disease.
Losartan is also used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who have high blood pressure.
Losartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking losartan?
You should not use losartan if you are allergic to it.
If you have diabetes, do not take losartan with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease or congestive heart failure;
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as high levels of potassium in your blood);
- if you are on a low-salt diet;
- liver disease; or
- kidney disease.
You may also need to avoid taking losartan with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Losartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
How should I take losartan?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Losartan is usually taken once per day.
You may take losartan with or without food.
Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking losartan. This can lead to very low blood pressure, a serious electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests.
If you have high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking losartan?
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.
What are the possible side effects of losartan?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- high blood potassium --nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; or
- kidney problems --swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath.
Common side effects may include:
- dizziness, tiredness;
- low blood pressure;
- low blood sugar;
- diarrhea;
- back pain; or
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
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.
What other drugs will affect losartan?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- a diuretic or "water pill" that may increase blood potassium such as spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride;
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
- heart or blood pressure medication.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect losartan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about losartan.
