Losartan: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What drug Losartan?

What is Losartan for?

Losartan is a medicine to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug is used to lower the risk of stroke in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart.

In addition, losartan is also widely used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure.

Losartan, commonly sold under the brand name Cozaar, belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

This drug works by relaxing the blood vessels so they avoid constriction. That way, blood pressure that was high can slowly decrease and blood flow will increase.

Losartan can also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide at the discretion of your doctor.

How to use losartan?

For tablets, drink directly with a glass of water without crushing it.

If you are using the liquid form of this medicine, shake the bottle before drinking it. Use a special spoon that is usually available in the medicine package.

Ask your doctor when to take this medicine, whether before or after eating. Also make sure that the measurements are according to the instructions on the packaging instructions. Do not use a tablespoon at home, as it is difficult to measure them in precise measurements.

Take this medicine regularly for the best benefits. In addition, also ask whether you can take medicine at the same time as food or not.

In order not to miss a dose, take the medicine at the same time each day. Do not start or stop taking medication without the doctor's advice.

Even though you feel healthy, keep taking the medication until the time limit prescribed by your doctor. The reason is, many people with high blood pressure don't feel any pain or excruciating symptoms.

Call your doctor if you persistently vomit, have diarrhea, or sweat more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medicine which could cause very low blood pressure or severe dehydration.

Therefore, regularly checking your blood pressure when visiting the doctor is one of the things that should not be missed.

It may take 3 to 6 weeks to see the effect losartan has on blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms don't improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

Don't forget to tell your doctor about the progress of your condition. If your blood pressure continues to rise, don't hesitate to ask for other alternative medicines.

Most importantly, always follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, please consult until it is very clear.

How do I store Losartan?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Do not store in the bathroom and do not freeze.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. However, do not flush medications down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Losartan dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for Losartan for adults?

The dose given can be different for each person. This dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

For people with hypertension, the drug will usually be given as much as 50 mg daily. This dose can be increased to 100 mg orally once a day according to the response received.

Meanwhile, for patients with diabetic nephropathy in initial type 2 diabetes mellitus, the dose given is 50 mg at baseline and increased to 100 mg daily. The increase will be adjusted according to the blood pressure response.

For people with early heart failure, the drug is prescribed which is about 12.5 mg daily and a maximum of 150 mg.

Occasionally, your doctor may change the dose of a medication to make sure you are getting the right dose. Follow the prescription given by the doctor even if it changes several times.

Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. If your doctor asks you to stop taking it, stop taking it right away. Conversely, if your doctor hasn't asked you to stop taking your medication, follow the rules even if you feel well.

What is the dosage for losartan for children?

In addition to seeing medical conditions and treatment response, in children the dose is also adjusted for body weight and age.

For children 6 to 18 years of age weighing more than 20 kg to less than 50 kg, the drug is usually around 0.7 mg / kg to a maximum of 50 mg once a day.

Meanwhile, for children weighing more than 50 kg, the dosage is the same as adults. The doctor will adjust the dose given based on the blood pressure response.

In what dosage is losartan available?

Losartan is available in the form of 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg drinking tablets.

Losartan side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Losartan?

Losartan has some fairly common side effects, such as:

• Cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and fever
• Dry cough
• Muscle cramp
• Pain in the legs or back
• Stomach pain or diarrhea
• Headache or dizziness
• Feel tired
• Experiencing sleep disorders (insomnia)

In rare cases, losartan can cause damage to skeletal muscle tissue leading to kidney failure. For this reason, if there is sudden pain in the muscles accompanied by pain, extreme fatigue, and dark urine, consult a doctor immediately.

You also need to consult a doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Feelings like they might pass out
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Pale skin, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, head tilted, and difficulty concentrating
• Chest pain and wheezing or wheezing giggle
• Drowsiness, confusion, mood swings, constant thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
• Swelling of certain body parts, weight gain, shortness of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all
• Potassium levels in the blood are high, characterized by a slow heart rate, weak pulse, and muscle weakness

Losartan can also cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. When this happens, you will experience:

• Skin rash
• Itchy rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Consciousness was almost lost

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Losartan Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using losartan?

Before using losartan, there are a number of things you need to know and do, namely:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Losartan, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Losartan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the constituent ingredients
• Tell your doctor if you have diabetes and you are taking aliskiren (Tunjukna, di Amturnide, Tekamlo, Tunjukna HCT).
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist all medications, vitamoin, supplements, and herbs you are taking
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or kidney disease or liver disease
• Tell your doctor if you are or plan to become pregnant in the near future and or are breastfeeding

Losartan is one of the drugs that can cause lightheadedness when you wake up too quickly from lying or sitting. This usually happens when you first drink it.

To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly. Place your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

If while taking this medicine you experience diarrhea, vomiting, and sweating profusely, be careful. Because this condition can lower blood pressure to make you pass out.

Tell your doctor if you have this problem or experience it during your treatment

Is Losartan safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this drug is a pregnancy risk category D.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Because this medicine is in category D, avoid taking it while pregnant. If you have recently become pregnant, stop taking it immediately.

This is because losartan can cause injury or death to the fetus especially if it is taken during the second or third trimester.

Meanwhile, for breastfeeding mothers, there is no clear evidence whether this drug harms the baby or not. To avoid various negative possibilities, do not take this medicine carelessly or without the doctor's permission.

Losartan Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Losartan?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Here are some drugs that usually interact negatively with loratan, namely:

• Diuretics or "water pills"
• Other blood pressure medications
• Lithium
• Celecoxib
• Aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, etc.

Can food or alcohol interact with Losartan?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Alcohol can usually lower blood pressure and increase certain side effects of losartan.

Also, do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes while taking this medicine unless your doctor says it is okay.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with losartan?

Any other health problems you have could have an effect on the effectiveness and how the drug works. In general, health problems that can interact with losartan include:

• Angioedema (allergic reaction) with other blood pressure medicines (eg, benazepril, enalapril, lisinopril, Lotrel®, Vasotec®, Zestoretic®, Zestril®), history of angiodema
• Severe congenital heart failure, which can lead to kidney problems
• Diabetes patients who are also taking the drug Aliskiren (Tesorna®)
• Patients with kidney disease who are also taking Aliskiren (Tesorna®)
• Have unbalanced electrolyte levels such as potassium or sodium in the body that are too high or too low
• Kidney illness
• Liver disease (including cirrhosis)

Therefore, do not drink losartan carelessly and must be recommended by a doctor.

Losartan overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose in one drink.