Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is an 'anti-hypertensive' medication primarily used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure or hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against the walls of blood vessels, is consistently too high. As a result, this can ultimately lead to heart-related conditions like heart failure, stroke, and irregular heartbeat.
Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of three medicines namely: Amlodipine, Hydrochlorothiazide, and Losartan. Amlodipine belongs to class medicines known as calcium channel blocker that dilates (widens) blood vessels and increases blood flow. It helps to lower blood pressure, reduce chest pain (angina), and other complications caused by coronary artery disease. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill that works by removing extra water/fluid and certain electrolytes overload from the body. Losartan belongs to class medicines known as angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that works by blocking the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. Thus, all together Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide helps in controlling high blood pressure.
You may experience nausea, altered taste, diarrhea, stomach upset, dizziness, flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck, and trunk), headache, numbness (lost, reduced, or altered sensation) of extremity in some cases. Most of these side effects of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless the doctor has told you. If you notice unexplained muscle pain, dark color urine, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or unexplained tiredness, immediately contact the doctor. Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own. Let your doctor know about this, as stopping abruptly may provoke rapid upswings in blood pressure. Inform your doctor before starting this medication course if you are suffering from kidney, liver, or heart disease. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide without proper consultation or inputs from their OB/GYN.
Uses of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of three medicines, namely: Amlodipine, Hydrochlorothiazide, and Losartan. Amlodipine belongs to class medicines known as calcium channel blockers. Amlodipine is known to work by inhibiting the entry of calcium ions across cardiac (heart) and smooth muscle causing relaxation and dilation (widening) of these muscles. Amlodipine does not change serum calcium concentrations. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or water pill. Hydrochlorothiazide works by inhibiting the sodium chloride transport in the distal convoluted tubule (a portion of the kidney nephron). Along with accompanying fluid, more sodium is then excreted in the kidney. This increases the flow of urine and reduces the amount of water in the body, thereby helps in lowering blood pressure. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that works by blocking the hormone angiotensin, thereby relaxing and widening the narrowed blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly in the blood vessels, and the heart can pump more efficiently. Thus, all together Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide helps in controlling high blood pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide
- Nausea
- Altered taste
- Stomach upset
- Dizziness
- Decreased blood pressure
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy, or if you are unable to urinate (anuria). Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide may pass into breast milk, so before starting Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide, either you need to stop nursing, or you should not take Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide while breastfeeding. Please inform your doctor/surgeon before surgery that you are on Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide as it needs to be stopped because it might lower the blood pressure further if taken along with certain anesthesia medication. Avoid intake of potassium salt or its substitute while using Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid any electrolytes imbalance. Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver, kidney, cardiovascular diseases and diabetic patients. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interaction: This medicine may interact with depression medication (lithium, duloxetine), anxiety medication (alprazolam), antidiabetic medicines (metformin), and other anti-hypertensive medicines(metoprolol), pain killers (ibuprofen, aspirin).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: The efficacy of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a recent or history of heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, anuria (unable to urinate), asthma, pregnant women, or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women, diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionAmlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor considers it essential. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
cautionAmlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during breast-feeding. However, your doctor may prescribe it for you during breast-feeding if he/she feels that the benefit to you outweighs the risk. You should not take Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide without a doctor's advice.
Driving
cautionIt is advised to drive with caution after taking Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide as it usually causes drowsiness and affects the driving ability.
Liver
cautionAmlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of liver disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Kidney
cautionAmlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have had a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will have to change the dosage depending on your medical condition and your reaction to treatment.
Children
unsafeEfficacy and safety of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide have not been established in children. If prescribed, it should be strictly under medical supervision and only if the benefits outweigh the harms.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Keep your weight under control with BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation, then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
- Option for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies, and low-fat dairy products.
Special Advise
Keep a check on your daily blood pressure, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor. A low salt/sodium diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide for effective results.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is consistently measures >130 mmHg systolic and >80 mmHg diastolic. Hypertension can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. Diastolic pressure is when the heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Yes, the use of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide can make you feel dizzy. This may occur when you suddenly rise up from sitting or lying or position. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been lying down or sitting.
In case you have missed a dose of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place, if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both doses together. Take only one dose, taking a double dose of Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide will lead to very low blood pressure.
You may experience fluid loss or dehydration while on Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide. To avoid this condition, it is advisable to drink a lot of fluids as advised by your doctor.
Untreated high blood pressure may add workload to the heart and arteries. If this continues for a long duration of time, the heart and arteries may not function properly and can damage blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, kidney failure, or heart failure. So, taking prescribed blood pressure medication, along with diet and exercise can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor before stopping this medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility that your doctor may lower your dose, but not recommend you to discontinue or stop the medicine.
No, it is a prescribed drug, given by a physician for preventing specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side-effects.
Amlodipine+losartan+hydrochlorothiazide can be safely taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Conditions such as high blood pressure are life-long conditions and one should not abruptly discontinue it without discussing it with a doctor.
