Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Cozaar

Generic Name: losartan (Pronunciation: loe SAR tan)

• What is losartan (Cozaar)?
• What are the possible side effects of losartan (Cozaar)?
• What is the most important information I should know about losartan (Cozaar)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking losartan (Cozaar)?
• How should I take losartan (Cozaar)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Cozaar)?
• What happens if I overdose (Cozaar)?
• What should I avoid while taking losartan (Cozaar)?
• What other drugs will affect losartan (Cozaar)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is losartan (Cozaar)?

Losartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Losartan 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.

Losartan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cozaar 100 mg

egg, green, imprinted with MRK, 960

Cozaar 25 mg

egg, green, imprinted with 951, MRK

Cozaar 50 mg

egg, green, imprinted with MRK 952, COZAAR

What are the possible side effects of losartan (Cozaar)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• feeling like you might pass out;
• painful or difficult urination;
• chest pain;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
• swelling in your hands or feet; or
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, tingly feeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;
• muscle, leg, or back pain;
• stomach pain, diarrhea;
• headache, dizziness;
• tired feeling; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about losartan (Cozaar)?

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Losartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of losartan.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking losartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

In rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.