Generic name: losartan [ loe-SAR-tan ]
Brand name: Cozaar
Drug class:Angiotensin receptor blockers
What is losartan?
Losartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It 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.
Warnings
Do not use losartan if you are pregnant. Stop using and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. This medicine can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.
If you have diabetes, do not use losartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).
In extremely rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, potentially leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine.
Before taking this medicine
If you have diabetes, do not use losartan together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna). You may also need to avoid taking this medicine with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.
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