LOSARTAN

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Cozaar

GENERIC NAME(S): LOSARTAN POTASSIUM

Description: Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that selectively and competitively blocks the vasoconstricting and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II. It selectively antagonizes its binding to AT1 receptors.

Onset: 6 hr.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Readily absorbed from the GI tract. Bioavailability: 25-33%. Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 1 hr (losartan); approx 3-4 hr (active metabolite).

Distribution: Volume of distribution: 34 L (losartan); 12 L (active metabolite). Plasma protein binding: >98%.

Metabolism: Metabolised primarily by CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 isoenzymes to active carboxylic acid metabolite (E-3174).

Excretion: Via urine (approx 4% as unchanged drug; approx 6% as active metabolite); faeces (as unchanged drug and metabolites). Terminal elimination half-life: Approx 1.5-2.5 hr (losartan); approx 3-9 hr (E-3174).

Uses

Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes. It is also lowers the risk of strokes in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart Losartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) that works by relaxing blood vessels, making blood flow more easily.

OTHER USES:

This drug may also be used to treat heart failure.

How to use Losartan

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking losartan and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily with or without food. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

If you are using the liquid form of this medication, shake the bottle well before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (for example, your blood pressure readings increase).

Warnings

This drug can cause serious (possibly fatal) harm to an unborn baby if used during pregnancy.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if dizziness or lightheadedness persist or worsen.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Fainting
symptoms of a high potassium blood level (such as muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat)
unusual change in the amount of urine

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

rash
itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
severe dizziness
trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Allergic reaction to this medication
Patients with medical history of liver disease or severe loss of body water and minerals (dehydration)
This drug may make you dizzy.
This medication may increase your potassium levels
Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery
This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding

Consult your doctor regarding the precautions mentioned above.

Interactions:

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

Aliskiren
Lithium
drugs that may increase the level of potassium in the blood (such as ACE inhibitors including benazepril/lisinopril, birth control pills containing drospirenone)

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Ask your pharmacist for more details.

Overdose & Brands

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as kidney function, potassium levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Check your blood pressure regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure, and share the results with your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store tablets at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Store the suspension in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Discard any unused suspension after 4 weeks.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Brands:

Available Brands:

Actimed Losartan [ XL Lab ]

Actizar [ Unique ]

Angioten [ Drugmaker’s Lab ]

Anzar [ Xeno ]

Arbloc [ Cathay YSS ]

Besartan [ Torrent ]

Boie Losartan Potassium [ Boie ]

Cardizar [ Solvang ]

Cozaar [ Merck Sharp & Dohme ]

Doxar [ Pharma Nutria ]

Ecozar [ Multicare ]

Eseflah [ Pasteur Pharma ]

Flosartan [ Bauch ]

Getzar [ Hizon ]

Hartzar [ JRalph Pharma ]

Hextan [ Pasteur Pharma ]

Hypertan [ JM Tolmann ]

Hyperthree [ JRalph Pharma ]

Kardiostan [ Interphil ]

Kenzar [ ACME ]

KSART 50 [ Kusum Healthcare ]

Lifezar [ Therapharma ]

Lipewin/Lipewin H Forte [ XL Lab ]

Losacar/Losacar 100 [ Zydus Cadila ]

Losarcure [ XL Lab ] Losargard/Losargard Plus [ InnoGen Pharmaceuticals ]

Losart [ Concept ]

Losartol 50/Losartol 100 [ Jackson Pharma ]

Losium [ Cadila Pharma ]

Medzart [ Medhaus ]

Myotan [ Unique ]

Neosartan [ GXI ]

Normoten/Normoten-100 [ Torrent ]

Okazar [ Okasa ]

Parten-50 [ Jayson Pharma ]

Pharex Losartan [ Pascual ]

Presar [ Ashford ]

Provizar [ SMHP ]

RiteMED Losartan [ RiteMED ]

Sartan [ Twilight Litaka ]

Vamzar [ Vamsler ]

Vivasartan [ Sandoz ]

Wilopres [ Hizon ]

Xartan [ Farma Iberica ]

Zarnat [ Corbridge ]

Zarten [ Integrated Pharma ]

Zilzart [ Biopharma ]

Also marketed as:

A.R.A. [ PSA ]

Amozar [ Chemway Pharma ]

Angisartan [ Sel-J Pharma ]

Bepsar [ Nabiqasim ]

Biozaar [ Nutramedica ]

Blozar [ Ashford ]

Cotenace [ Flamingo ]

Ezartan 50 [ Sai Mirra Innopharm ]

Hylos-50 [ Synmedic ]

Hyzart [ Domesco ]

Jensar [ Unique ]

Lostar [ PSA ]

Lozaris [ Chira Pharma ]

Lozart 50/Lozart 100 [ Steinbach ]

Myzar [ Intas ]

Nipartan [ Micro Labs ]

Prozar [ JM Tolmann ]

Zarpose [ Synmedic ]