Diet for people with high blood pressure

Cozaar

Generic Name: losartan (loe SAR tan)
Brand Names: Cozaar

What is Cozaar?

Cozaar is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Cozaar is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease.

Cozaar is used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure.

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

Important information about Cozaar

Do not use Cozaar if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

You should not use Cozaar if you are allergic to losartan. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Cozaar. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Cozaar, unless your doctor has told you to.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

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

In rare cases, Cozaar 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.

Before taking Cozaar

You should not use Cozaar if you are allergic to losartan.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;

• congestive heart failure;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood); or

• if you are dehydrated.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use Cozaar if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Cozaar can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. It is not known whether losartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Cozaar without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings in more detail

How should I take Cozaar?

Take Cozaar exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

You may take Cozaar with or without food.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking Cozaar, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

It may take 3 to 6 weeks of using this medicine before your blood pressure is under control. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

See also: Cozaar dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while taking Cozaar?

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Cozaar. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Cozaar, unless your doctor has told you to. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Cozaar side effects

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

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;

• wheezing, chest pain; or

• irregular heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling.

Less serious Cozaar side effects may include:

• cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever;

• dry cough;

• muscle cramps;

• pain in your legs or back;

• 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.

See also: Cozaar side effects in more detail

What other drugs will affect Cozaar?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• a diuretic (water pill);

• lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid, Lithonate);

• celecoxib (Celebrex); or

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Cozaar. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Cozaar.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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