Author: Charles Frank
Losartan: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action DrugBank Online
Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites that provide resources to help reduce the cost of losartan oral tablets. If you become pregnant while taking losartan, stop taking the drug and tell your doctor right away. If you’re concerned about your risk for cough while you’re using losartan, talk with your doctor. You can take losartan in the morning, at night, or any time of day. But try to take your doses at the same time each day. Learn more about some of the side effects losartan oral tablets may cause.
- By blocking this hormone, losartan lowers your blood pressure and helps your kidneys work correctly.
- Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
- Lowering blood pressure may reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Consuming alcoholic drinks while taking losartan can cause a sedative effect. This means a person may have slowed reflexes, poor judgment, and sleepiness. This effect can be dangerous if a person drives or uses other machinery.
A drug recall happens when a drug is removed from the market and is no longer available. For example, the drug may contain an unexpected ingredient that shouldn’t be in it. If you feel dizzy while taking losartan, lie down or sit down right away. This can keep you from losing your balance, which could lead to falls and serious injuries.
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This increases the risk of blood pressure getting too low. A person should not take this drug again if they have ever had an allergic reaction to it. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the exact dosage prescribed by the doctor. A doctor will determine the best dosage to suit a person’s needs. Losartan may be taken as part of a combination therapy with other medications to lower blood pressure.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.
Also, let them know if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have questions about taking losartan with certain foods or drinks, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Also, drinking coffee can increase your blood pressure. So if you drink coffee while taking losartan, the drug may not work as well for you.
These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. For details about the cost of losartan, you can refer to this article. Do not take more losartan oral tablets than your doctor prescribes.
Warnings for people with certain health conditions
For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking losartan. This list does not include all possible side effects. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. 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. Do not use losartan if you are pregnant, and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. It can cause injury or death to the unborn baby during your second or third trimester.
Your doctor will check your kidney function while you are taking losartan. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of kidney problems such as a change in the amount of urine. Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication.
What to ask your doctor
A person should keep taking this drug unless their doctor tells them to stop. Losartan can increase the levels of a substance called potassium in the blood. You shouldn’t take losartan oral tablets if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Drugs or supplements that contain potassium
NSAIDs may also reduce the blood pressure-lowering effects of losartan. This means that losartan may not work as well if taken with an NSAID. Taking losartan with lithium, a drug used to treat bipolar disorder, may increase the levels of lithium in the body. This can increase the risk of dangerous side effects.
Other ARBs include olmesartan, valsartan, and telmisartan. Like losartan, these drugs can be used to treat high blood pressure and other heart problems. Losartan oral tablets may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take losartan oral tablets.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as kidney function, potassium levels) should be done while you are taking this medication. Before taking losartan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. A person may need to check their blood pressure at home. To do this, they may need to buy a home blood pressure monitor.