Generic name: Losartan (loe-SAR-tan)
Brand name: Cozaar
General Information:
Cozaar is an angiotensin II antagonist. This remedy is prescribed to heal high blood pressure. It is also recommended to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes. It is also used to lower the risk of strokes in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart.
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Cozaar earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Always contact a medic before giving Cozaar to a child.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
It is important to report to a doctor if you have or had the following conditions:
- liver or kidney disease
- heart problems
- diabetes (poorly controlled)
- allergy to Cozaar or other medicines, foods, dyes, preservatives
- high blood levels of potassium
- severe dehydration (and loss of electrolytes such as sodium)
How do I take this medicine?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
Cozaar is taken with or without food. Take this medication regularly to achieve positive results. Take the doses at fixed intervals. Never take your medication more often than prescribed. Avoid sudden stopping of taking this drug. Your medical practitioner will tell you how much drug to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medication, the doses will be gradually reduced in the course of time to avoid any side effects.
Overdosage:
Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your health care professional instantly.
In large doses, this remedy may cause the following conditions: severe dizziness, fast or slow heartbeat, or fainting.
If you miss a dose:
In case you forget about the dose, try to take it as soon as possible. If the time for the next dose has come, take only one dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Interactions:
- potassium supplements (e.g., potassium chloride)
- lithium
- potassium-sparing “water pills” (diuretics such as triamterene, spironolactone, amiloride)
- digoxin
- certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., indomethacin)
- salt substitutes, rifampin
- fluconazole
- “water pills” (diuretics such as furosemide)
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
Which side effects can I perceive from this remedy?
Contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following
Serious side effects:
- allergy like skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, hives, itching, difficulty breathing
- dark urine, change in the amount of urine, yellowing eyes or skin
- severe nausea, stomach/abdominal pain
- muscle pain
- fainting
- unusual fatigue
- decreased sexual ability
Less serious side effects:
- lightheadedness, dizziness
- stuffy nose, blurred vision
This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.
Important Information:
Don’t stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This may reduce the risk of fainting or dizzy spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicament.
Ask your physician before using salt substitutes or low salt products.
Visit your doctor regularly. You will have to check your blood pressure and pulse rate often. Ask your doctor or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him. Don’t take Cozaar if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or trying to get pregnant.
Be aware: elderly people may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
Storage:
Cozaar should be stored at room temperature, in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Cozaar out of the reach of children and away from animals.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor. The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.