Where is Losartan Potassium used?
Losartan Potassium is used for the treatment of hypertension. This is used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.
This medication is also recommended for use to lower the risk of strokes in patients with an enlarged heart and high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent kidney problems, heart attacks, and strokes.
Losartan Potassium belongs to the class of medications called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this treatment in the year 1995.
How does Losartan Potassium work?
Losartan Potassium works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result, this medicine relaxes the blood vessels. Lower blood pressure will increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Losartan Potassium starts to decrease high blood pressure after about 6 hours but it may take 3 to 6 weeks to fully take effect. If you have high blood pressure, you may not have any symptoms.
How is Losartan Potassium taken?
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Do not use this medicine along with any drugs that contain Aliskiren. To make sure this drug is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- An electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood)
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Congestive heart failure
The recommended dosage depends on your medical condition and response.
Losartan Potassium is to be taken by mouth with a full glass of water. You may take it with or without food. It is usually taken once a day. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember from taking it. Let your doctor know if your condition does not improve or if it worsens. Follow your doctor’s prescription very carefully.
What are the possible side effects of Losartan Potassium?
- Stomach pain
- Leg or back pain
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness
- Sleep problems or insomnia
- Cold or flu symptoms such as sneezing, stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, or fever
What are the precautions in taking Losartan Potassium?
- This medication is only prescribed when needed to pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- If you are pregnant, do not take this medicine. If you become pregnant, stop using it and inform your doctor right away. Losartan may cause injury to the unborn baby if you take this medicine during your second or third trimester. You may need to use effective birth control.
- Call your doctor if you have ongoing diarrhea or vomiting. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this drug, which may lead to a serious electrolyte imbalance or severely low blood pressure.
- Tell your doctor if you have any medical history or current medications.
- Call right away for medical help if there happened to be an allergic reaction.
- You should not use this past the expiration date.
- Keep this away from the reach of children or your pets.
