Losartan Side Effects

Serious Adverse Side Effects

pain or burning when you urinate
pale skin
feeling light-headed or short of breath
rapid heart rate
trouble concentrating
wheezing
chest pain
confusion
mood changes
swelling
weight gain
urinating less than usual or not at all
high potassium (slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling)

Common Adverse Side Effects

cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and fever
dry cough
muscle cramps
pain in your legs or back
stomach pain
diarrhea
headache
dizziness
tired feeling
sleep problems (insomnia)
feeling faint
drowsiness
increased thirst
loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting

Warnings & Recalls for Losartan

Black Box Warning

Losartan has an associated “black box” warning attached to it that denotes that drugs such as Losartan that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury or death to the fetus of an expectant mother when used during the 2^nd or 3^rd trimesters. Any woman who wishes to conceive a child should discontinue Losartan right after conception.

Contraindications

Losartan has the following contraindications that hinder a patient’s ability to take it. These include:

Hypersensitivity to Losartan
Pregnancy

Precautions

Patients with the following preexisting conditions or ailments will find that they hinder their ability to take this drug. These include:

Angioedema (present or past)
Excessive hypotension
Hepatic impairment
Renal impairment
Hyperkalemia
Renal artery stenosis
Severe CHF

Pregnancy Warning

Losartan has 3 different pregnancy category ratings by the FDA which are dependent upon the specific trimester of the pregnancy.

1^st trimester: C
2^nd trimester: D
3^rd trimester: D

In all probability, Losartan should be discontinued as soon as possible upon knowledge of conception because it poses a definitive and positive danger to the developing fetus.

Losartan Treatment and Use

Losartan is a drug that is prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). The drug classification of Losartan is that of angiotensin II receptor antagonist and it was the 1^st one of its’ classification to be marketed. Other non-FDA labeled indication can be for the delay of the progression of diabetic nephropathy and the reduction of renal disease progression in patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and microalbuminuria or proteinuria.

Although there has been established clinical evidence that shows that calcium channel blockers and thiazide-type diuretics are the preferred 1^st treatments for most patients with these conditions, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist such as Losartan has been recommended as the preferred treatment for patients under the age of 55 who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors.

Losartan can also be made available as hydrochlorothiazide/Losartan (Hyzaar), a combination drug with a low dose thiazide diuretic that displays an additive antihypertensive effect .

Please refer to the “Warnings and Recalls” tab to get more information on Losartan’s “black box warning”.

How This Drug Works

Losartan has a mechanism of action that makes it a selective and competitive angiotensin II receptor antagonist that reduces the end organ responses to angiotensin II. Administration of Losartan results in a decrease of total peripheral resistance as well as cardiac venous return, thereby causing the reduction of high blood pressure.

Dosage Information

The following is the dosage information for Losartan both pediatric and adult patients:

For children 6 years of age or older with hypertension, 0.7mg/kg ORALLY as a tablet or suspension once daily, MAX 50mg per day
For adult patients with hypertension or diabetic nephropathy, initial dose should start at 50mg ORALLY once daily while the maintenance dose should be 25-100mg ORALLY in 1-2 divided doses

Other Names for Losartan

Brand Names

Cozaar

Hyzaar

Generic Name

Losartan