Details

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. Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease. Losartan is used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure. To make sure losartan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease liver disease congestive heart failure an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood) or if you are dehydrated. Losartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.

Typical Uses

Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and 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. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Losartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). It works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. This drug may also be used to treat heart failure.

Side Effects

In rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that result in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Notify your doctor immediately if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark coloured urine. Other side effects of losartan may include 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 or high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling).

Drug Interactions

• Losartan+aliskiren- Using aliskiren together with losartan may increase the risk of serious side effects such as kidney problems, low blood pressure, and high potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
• Losartan+benazepril- Using benazepril together with losartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
• Losartan+captopril- Using captopril together with losartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
• Losartan+moexipril- Using moexipril together with losartan may increase the risk of side effects such as low blood pressure, kidney function impairment, and a condition called hyperkalemia (high blood potassium). In severe cases, hyperkalemia can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.

Mechanism of action

Losartan belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of certain natural substances that tighten the blood vessels and also by inhibiting the aldosterone secreting effect of angiotensin II, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently.

Pregnancy Category : D