Losartan

Losartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Introduction #

Generic name: Losartan

Brand name: Cozaar

Drug class: Angiotensin receptor blockers

Uses #

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Heart failure

Prevention of heart attack and stroke

Benefits #

In Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Valzaar 40 Tablet lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. You do not usually feel any direct benefit from taking this medicine, but it works in the long term to keep you well.

In Heart failure

Heart failure means your heart is weak and cannot pump enough blood to your lungs and the rest of your body. The most common symptoms are breathlessness, tiredness, and swelling in your legs, ankles, abdomen, and other parts of your body. Valzaar 40 Tablet lowers your blood pressure which makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body and is, therefore, effective treatment for heart failure.

This medicine will help relieve your symptoms, making you feel better and more energetic. You should make appropriate lifestyle changes (such as eating healthily and keeping active) to help this medicine be effective. Take it regularly and keep taking it even if you feel better.

In Prevention of heart attack and stroke

Valzaar 40 Tablet lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. If your blood pressure is controlled you are less at risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Keep taking this medicine regularly.

Directions for use #

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Valzaar 40 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How it works? #

Valzaar 40 Tablet is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It relaxes the blood vessel by blocking the action of a chemical that usually makes blood vessels tighter. This lowers the blood pressure, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly to different organs and the heart to pump more efficiently.

Side effects #

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• A feeling that you might pass out

• Pain or burning when you urinate

• Pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating

• Wheezing, chest pain

• Drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting

• Swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all

• High potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

Common losartan side effects may include:

• Cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever

• Dry cough

• Muscle cramps

• Pain in your legs or back

• Stomach pain, diarrhea

• Headache, dizziness

• Tired feeling

• Sleep problems (insomnia).

Warnings #

• Do not use losartan if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. This medicine can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.

• You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.

• If you have diabetes, do not use losartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

• In extremely rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.