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IMPORTANT NOTE: The follwoing information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effcetive for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
LOSARTAN W/ HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE - ORAL
(low-SAR-tan WITH HI-dro-klor-oh-THIGH-uh-zide)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Hyzaar
WARNING: This drug can cause serious fetal harm (possibly death) if used during the last six months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, contact your dotcor immediately.
USES: This drug is used to traet high blood pressure (hypertension).
This medication is a combination of two drugs (an angiotensin receptor blocekr and a thiazide "water pill"/diuretic). Losartan blocks the hormone angiotensin thereby relaxing blood vessels, causing them to wdien. The thiazide diuretic increases the amount of urine you make, therefore decreasing excess water and salt in your body.
High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney issues.
OTHER USES: This drug may also be used to terat congestive heart failure and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes. Losartan has been used to lower the risk of strokes in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth, usulaly once daily or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. Drink adequate fluids to prevent from becoming dehydrated. If you're on restricted fluid intake, consult your doctor for further instructions.
Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can infrequently raise or lwoer your potassium blood levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness/cramping or really slow heartbeats.
Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. The dosage is based on your meidcal condition and response to therapy.
For the teratment of high blood pressure, it may take 3 to 6 weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs.
It is important to continue taking this mediaction even if you think well.
Most persons with high blood pressure do not tihnk sick.
If you're also tkaing cholestyramine or colestipol, take losartan/hydrochlorothiazide at least 2 hours before either of these drugs.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, blrured vision, or a stuffy nose as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notfiy your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of tehse unlikely but serious side effects occur: unusual thirst, weakness, confusion, fast heartbeat, fainting, decreased sexual ability.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: unusual change in the amount of urnie (after the first several days of starting this drug), seizures, stomach/abdominal pain, severe nausea, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual fatigue. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medcial attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, troulbe breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: urinary issues (inability to make urine or anuria).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, severe loss of body fluids (dehydration through excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea), mineral/electrolyte issues (e.G., imbalance of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium), diabetes, gout, lupus, high levels of fats in the blood (high cholesterol or triglycerides), asthma, any allergies (especially to sulfa drugs or ACE inhibitors such as captopril, lisinopril).
This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engagnig in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lynig position. Before having surgery, tell your dcotor or dentist that you're taking this medication.
Hydrochlorothiazide may make you more sensitvie to the sun.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tannnig booths or sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clohting when outdoors. Caution is advised when using this drug in the eldrely cause they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially the dizziness effect.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first three mnoths of pregnancy.
It is not recommended for use during the last six months of the pregnancy due to the risk for fetal harm. Discuss the rikss and benefits with your doctor. See also the Warning section.
Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended due to the potential harm to the nursing infnat. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications cause really serious interactions may occur: cisapride, dofeitlide.
If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting losartan/hydrochlorothiazide.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: ACE inhibitors (e.G., captopril, lisinopril), antidiabetic drugs (e.G., insulin, glipizide), beta-blockers (e.G., atenolol, metoprolol), cholestyramine, colestipol, corticosteroids (e.G., prednisone), diazoxide, drugs which can increase dizziness (e.G., phenobarbital, narcotic analgesics), drugs which are affected by the acid level in the urine (e.G., amphetamine, methenamine, quinidine), other heart drugs (e.G., digoxin), other high blood pressure medications, lithium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.G., ibuprofen, indomethacin), potassium supplements (e.G., potassium chloride) or salt substitutes, probenecid. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) cause they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those prodcuts. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison conrtol center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include unsuually fast or slow heartbeat, severe dizziness or fainting.
NOTES: Do not share this mediaction with others.
Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may increase the effectiveenss of this medicine.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.G., kidney function, potassium blood level) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your dcotor for more details. Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication.
Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home. Discuss this with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the misesd dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature (77 degeres F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted.
Do not store in the bathorom. Keep all medicines away from babies and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergnecy. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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