Losartan+chlorthalidone
About
Losartan+chlorthalidone belongs to the class of ‘anti-hypertensive drugs’ primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension is a medical condition in which blood pressure is elevated persistently in the arteries. It is considered an essential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, myocardial infarction etc.
Losartan+chlorthalidone consists of two medicines, namely: Losartan and Chlorthalidone. Losartan belongs to a group of angiotensin II receptor antagonists which narrows constricted blood vessels and widens it. Thus, it lowers elevated blood pressure and increases blood flow by preventing blood vessel narrowing. Chlorthalidone belongs to thiazide diuretics (water pill) which inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption from absorbing excess salts that cause fluid retention or build-up. Thus, it also relaxes the blood vessels to improve blood circulation and lowers raised blood pressure.
Your doctor will decide the dosage of Losartan+chlorthalidone based on your medical condition. In some cases, Losartan+chlorthalidone can cause side effects like nausea, taste changes, stomach upset, diarrhoea, headache, weakness, dizziness and decreased blood pressure. Most of these side effects of Losartan+chlorthalidone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Losartan+chlorthalidone or any other medicines, please inform your doctor. Before taking Losartan+chlorthalidone, let your doctor know if you have any kidney, liver problems or severe dehydration. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Losartan+chlorthalidone. Please do not stop taking Losartan+chlorthalidone on your own, leading to the recurrence of symptoms or worsening the condition. Do not consume alcohol with Losartan+chlorthalidone as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you experience dizziness.
Uses of Losartan+chlorthalidone
Medicinal Benefits
Losartan+chlorthalidone is an anti-hypertensive medication that treats high blood pressure (hypertension). It consists of Losartan and Chlorthalidone. Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. It lowers the blood pressure and increases the blood flow by inhibiting angiotensin (a hormone that constricts blood vessels). Losartan is also used to treat stroke and slow down kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes. It also increases urinary flow rate and aids in the excretion of electrolytes like chloride, magnesium, calcium and phosphate and by-products like uric acid. Chlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) with antihypertensive activity. It inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption from absorbing excess salts that cause fluid retention or build-up. Chlorthalidone lowers blood pressure by decreasing the amount of blood the heart pumps (cardiac output) and reducing plasma and extracellular fluid volume (body fluids outside the cells).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Losartan+chlorthalidone
- Nausea
- Taste changes
- Stomach upset
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Decreased blood pressure (hypotension)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Complete the course strictly as suggested by the doctor, even if you feel better, to avoid disease recurrence. Let your doctor know if you have any history of heart, kidney or liver diseases, severe dehydration, high potassium levels (hyperkalaemia), low potassium levels (hypokalaemia), diabetes, high cholesterol levels, electrolyte imbalance, asthma, lupus (an autoimmune disease), gout and thyroid disorders before starting Losartan+chlorthalidone. Pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking Losartan+chlorthalidone. Chlorthalidone in Losartan+chlorthalidone passes into the breast milk during breastfeeding. Hence, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Losartan+chlorthalidone if you are a nursing mother. Avoid operating any machines or doing any work that needs mental alertness if you feel dizzy after taking Losartan+chlorthalidone. It is advised to avoid alcohol consumption while using Losartan+chlorthalidone to prevent dizziness and risk of low blood pressure. Losartan+chlorthalidone is not recommended for use in patients younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Losartan+chlorthalidone may interact with other blood pressure-treating medicines (lisinopril, benazepril, aliskiren), pain killers (ibuprofen, naproxen), heart-related medicines (dofetilide), birth control pills containing drospirenone, heartburn medicines (cisapride) and antidepressants (lithium).
Drug-Food Interaction: Minimize high potassium foods intake and avoid over-the-counter potassium supplements, grapefruit or juice, and alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People with low blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver problems or severe dehydration, hyperkalaemia, hypokalaemia, high cholesterol levels, electrolyte imbalance, asthma, lupus, gout, thyroid disorders, and diabetes should consult the doctor before taking Losartan+chlorthalidone.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol, since alcohol consumption with Losartan+chlorthalidone may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects, such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, or headache.
Pregnancy
unsafeLosartan+chlorthalidone is not recommended during pregnancy since it may affect and harm the baby. Consult your doctor before taking Losartan+chlorthalidone if you plan to become pregnant or already pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before prescribing Losartan+chlorthalidone.
Breast Feeding
cautionChlorthalidone in Losartan+chlorthalidone is not recommended during breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before taking Losartan+chlorthalidone if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionLosartan+chlorthalidone may cause side effects like dizziness or tiredness, which can affect your ability to concentrate and drive. Hence, it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery until you are mentally alert.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Losartan+chlorthalidone. The dosage will be initiated in lower doses and will be further adjusted in patients with liver diseases.
Kidney
cautionLosartan+chlorthalidone consists of Losartan drug, which may affect the kidney functioning. Hence it is advised to seek doctor advice before starting Losartan+chlorthalidone if you have kidney problems.
Children
unsafeSafety and efficacy of Losartan+chlorthalidone have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with body mass index (BMI) between 19.5 and 24.9.
- 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.
- Limit sodium chloride intake (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, use only one serving for women and two servings for men.
- Quit smoking to lower the risk of heart diseases.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if you notice any fluctuations frequently, please contact your doctor immediately.
- Try including heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid-containing foods in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oils like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Keep a check on your daily blood pressure, and if you notice any fluctuations, please consult a doctor. Low salt/sodium diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Losartan+chlorthalidone for effective results.
- Thiazide diuretics like Chlorthalidone may increase serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Hence it is advised to monitor your cholesterol levels regularly.
- Chlorthalidone in Losartan+chlorthalidone may interfere with specific lab tests like parathyroid test and protein-bound iodide test, hence mention that you are using Losartan+chlorthalidone in advance to the laboratory staff.
- Your doctor may advise you to get a regular kidney function test, blood examinations for potassium levels and other electrolytes while using Losartan+chlorthalidone to rule out any renal impairment.
- Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is advised in diabetic patients while using Losartan+chlorthalidone.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood, then arteries become narrower, and in turn, blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, it may lead to serious heart diseases, including stroke and heart attack. Additionally, high blood pressure can also cause brain damage (stroke), and kidney failure. Blood pressure is expressed as systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic blood pressure represents the contraction and relaxation of the heart. Diastolic pressure is exerted in the blood vessels when the heart beats and is in the resting state. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Hypertension is detected when systolic blood pressure is more than 140mmHg, and diastolic pressure is higher than 90mmHg. Some of the symptoms of hypertension include headache, nose bleed, vomiting, and chest pain.
FAQs
Losartan+chlorthalidone works by relaxing and widening the blood vessels to make the heart pump blood easily throughout the body and also prevents fluid retention due to excess salts build-up, thereby lowering the raised blood pressure.
Losartan+chlorthalidone can make you feel dizzy. Dizziness usually occurs when you suddenly stand up from a lying or sitting position. Try rising slowly when you change your posture to relieve dizziness. If the side effect persists longer, please seek medical help.
Losartan+chlorthalidone can cause high levels of potassium in the blood leading to hyperkalaemia. Hence it is not recommended to use potassium supplements along with Losartan+chlorthalidone. However, consult your doctor if you are already taking other medicines before starting Losartan+chlorthalidone.
Chlorthalidone in Losartan+chlorthalidone may affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Hence, it is advised to monitor your sugar levels while taking Losartan+chlorthalidone regularly. Your doctor may adjust the dose accordingly. Please seek medical advice for more information before starting Losartan+chlorthalidone.
Even though your blood pressure becomes normal after using Losartan+chlorthalidone, it may switch back to high ranges if you stop using it. Your doctor may change the dosing schedule based on your blood pressure range.
Losartan+chlorthalidone can cause dehydration. It is advised to drink plenty of fluids and avoid hard exercises and sports to prevent dehydration. If you experience extreme thirst and dry mouth for a longer period, please seek medical advice.
