Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: LOSARTAN (loe-SAR-tan)
This medicine is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is used in certain patients to decrease the risk of stroke. It is used in certain patients to treat kidney problems caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE FETUS if taken after the third month of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib), rifampin, or lithium. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (eg, lisinopril); a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, liver or kidney problems, or diabetes; a history of stroke or recent heart attack; dehydration or low blood volume; electrolyte problems (eg, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels); a low-salt (sodium) diet; allergies; pregnancy or ability to become pregnant; or breast-feeding. Inform your doctor if you are on dialysis or are scheduled to have major surgery. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy. Use of this medicine in children under age 6 or children with severe kidney problems is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly-closed container, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Take this medicine on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. CONTINUE TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, and heart, kidney, or liver function, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. This medicine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen you ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. DEHYDRATION, EXCESSIVE SWEATING, VOMITING, OR DIARRHEA may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur. WHEN YOU FIRST START TAKING THIS MEDICINE, you may feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. THIS MEDICINE MAY NOT WORK as well to reduce the risk of stroke in black patients. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. DO NOT USE A SALT SUBSTITUTE or other potassium supplement without checking with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT CALLED ANGIOEDEMA. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes nonprescription products that contain stimulants, such as diet pills or cold medicines. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS OR FETAL DEATH if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, THIS MEDICINE may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; dizziness; or tiredness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience a change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark urine; difficulty swallowing or breathing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or cramps; severe or persistent stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); swelling of your hands, legs, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness, lightheadedness); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual hoarseness; vision changes; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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