Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone
About
Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-hypertensives, primarily used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and oedema (a buildup of fluid in the body). Hypertension or high blood pressure is a lifelong or chronic condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the blood vessel (arteries wall) increases. The higher this blood pressure, the harder the heart has to pump. Oedema may occur in high blood pressure where fluids of the body get trapped in the tissues of the hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs, leading to swelling.
Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone contains Chlorothiazide, Losartan and Amlodipine. Chlorothiazide is a diuretic that works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats Edema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney or lung disease. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, and Losartan is an angiotensin receptor antagonist. Both work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. This, in turn, reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. So, it helps to lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke.
Take Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone as prescribed by your doctor. Depending on your medical conditions, you are advised to take Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you. You may experience glucose intolerance (low or high level of glucose), ankle swelling, sleepiness, headache (sense of heat in the face, ears, neck, and trunk), flushing, tiredness, nausea, decreased potassium level in the blood, Increased blood uric acid and altered blood lipid level. Most of these side effects of Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. Tell your doctor about this, as it may cause a rise in blood pressure and increase the risk of heart complications like stroke and heart disease. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver, heart disease, or diabetes. Taking Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone during pregnancy may cause side effects like jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), unexplained bleeding, low blood sugar or an electrolyte imbalance in the newborn baby. Do not use the Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone if you cannot urinate, have low blood pressure (hypotension), and have a cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping blood flow to the heart). Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling.
Uses of Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone
Medicinal Benefits
Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone is a combination drug used to treat hypertension. When you take Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone, your body's blood vessels will be relaxed, and it will help lower the raised blood pressure. It also widens the blood vessels (lining of arteries wall) and improves blood flow. It helps in losing out excess fluids from the body by increasing the production of urine. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it helps to lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke. Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone also helps decrease fluid buildup, which reduces inflammation or swelling. In addition, this relieves Oedema and enables you to carry out your daily activities more efficiently.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone
- Glucose intolerance (low or high level of glucose)
- Ankle swelling
- Sleepiness
- Headache (sense of heat in the face, ears, neck, and trunk)
- Flushing
- Tiredness
- Decreased potassium level in the blood
- Increased blood uric acid
- Altered blood lipid level
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone should not be given to the people allergic to Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, gout (high uric acid), high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), pregnant women or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Besides this, it is contraindicated in people with cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart) and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you take Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone and breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are on low sodium (table salt) diet. Cases of electrolyte imbalance have been observed (like low levels of sodium, potassium, or magnesium in your blood). So your doctor might advise monitoring blood pressure, kidney function tests and electrolytes.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone may interact with other high blood pressure-lowering pills (e.g. metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin), certain medicines to treat erectile dysfunction (e.g. sildenafil), anti-epilepsy medications (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital), immune-suppressing drugs (e.g. cyclosporine), painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen, aspirin), anti-biotics (e.g. rifampicin), antipsychotics (e.g. ziprasidone, lithium).
Drug-Food Interactions: You are recommended not to consume alcohol with Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone should not be given to people with cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, liver disease or heart failure, low serum potassium (hypokalemia), patients with nil urine output (anuria).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionLosartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone 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
cautionLosartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone should not be used when breastfeeding unless clearly necessary. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
unsafeIt is not recommended to drive after taking Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone as it may occasionally cause drowsiness.
Liver
cautionLosartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
Kidney
cautionLosartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
Children
cautionLosartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you are children below the age of 12. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume antioxidant-rich food. Blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers are high in antioxidants.
- Eat natural diuretic foods. Asparagus, beets, green beans, grapes, onion, leafy greens, pineapple, leeks, pumpkin, and garlic are all-natural diuretic foods.
- Use healthy cooking oils like soybean, olive, canola, and coconut oil.
- You should avoid refined foods such as white bread, spaghetti, sugar, and red meat.
- Reduce or eliminate Trans fatty acids, which are found in commercially baked items such as cookies, cakes, crackers, French fries, onion rings, doughnuts, and processed foods.
- Avoid the consumption of too much salt or salty food.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Regular physical activity or exercise like walking improves your blood flow.
- When possible, elevate your legs or the swollen area on a chair or pillows.
- Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
- Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure.
- Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption is the best strategy to lower the risk of many health complications.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: The blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels leading to hypertension. High blood pressure is expressed as systolic/diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats or pumps out blood. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries between the heartbeats. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) by a blood pressure monitor called a sphygmomanometer. Some of the symptoms are headache, dizziness, nosebleeds, altered vision, chest pain, weakness, and shortness of breath. However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
Oedema: Oedema, also known as fluid overload, occurs due to fluid build-up in spaces between the cells. Oedema can result from a variety of factors. Some oedema reasons are caused by your lifestyle, while an underlying medical problem causes others. Shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and swelling in hands or abdominal areas are the symptoms of oedema.
FAQs
Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone contains Chlorothiazide, Losartan and Amlodipine. Chlorothiazide works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats Oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney or lung disease. Amlodipine and Losartan work by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. This, in turn, reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body.
Also known as 'dropsy' or 'hydropsy,' it is a condition of fluid retention in the body characterized by swelling of the body's tissue, including ankles, feet and legs. It is usually caused by standing or sitting in the same position for too long, eating too much salty food and being overweight. Edema mainly affects the lymphatic system (including the circulatory and immune systems) and organs like the tonsils, spleen and thymus, maintaining fluid balance and fights infections. If it does not subside, please consult your doctor immediately.
Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone 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.
It's unlikely that Losartan+amlodipine+chlorthalidone affects fertility in men or women. However, some water pills like hydrochlorothiazide may lead to erectile dysfunction. There's not enough evidence to say for certain. For the best advice, consult your doctor.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend discontinuing it.
