Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide belongs to the class of anti-hypertensives primarily taken to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and reduce the risk of stroke in patients with high blood pressure. Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination medication generally used when a single medicine is unable to control high blood pressure. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a life-long or chronic condition in which the force exerted against the artery wall becomes too high. It can lead to the risk of heart diseases, like heart attack and stroke.
Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of Losartan (angiotensin II receptor antagonist) and Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic or water pill). Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that helps to relax and widen the blood vessels (arteries) for easy blood flow to the whole body. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that prevents excess salt absorption in the body, preventing fluid retention. Together it lowers blood pressure and prevents the risk of stroke, heart attack, and oedema (fluid overload).
You can take Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide with food or an empty stomach. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. You may experience upper respiratory infections, dizziness, feeling tired, nausea, diarrhoea, back pain, and cold/flu symptoms like a cough in some cases. Most of these side effects of 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 your doctor tells you. In rare cases, Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause a condition that results in a skeletal muscle problem, leading to further kidney failure. If you notice unexplained muscle pain, dark colour urine, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or unexplained tiredness, immediately contact the doctor. Do not use if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant; stop taking Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide, and tell your doctor immediately. Besides this, you should not use the Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you cannot urinate. If you have diabetes, do not use Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine). Before taking the Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease, kidney failure, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), high or low magnesium or potassium levels in your blood, allergies or asthma, lupus (an autoimmune disease), diabetes.
Uses of Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of Losartan (angiotensin II receptor antagonist) and Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic or water pill). Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that helps to relax and widen the blood vessels (arteries). Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that prevents excess salt absorption in the body, preventing fluid retention. Together it lowers blood pressure and prevents the risk of stroke, heart attack, and oedema (fluid retention).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide
- Dizziness
- Feeling tired
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Dehydration
- Back pain
- Cold/flu symptoms
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to the people allergic to Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), or have had a heart attack, kidney disease, or liver disease. It should be used with caution in patients who have diabetes. Besides this, it is contraindicated in low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Do not consume alcohol with Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Avoid potassium supplements with Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide as they may lead to high potassium levels in the blood. Regular blood tests and blood pressure monitoring are recommended while taking Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide. Drink a lot of fluids as Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dehydration, so to avoid unpleasant side effects, increase the intake of fluids.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide may have an interaction with medicines used to treat mood disorders (lithium), medicines used to treat heart disorders (digoxin), antidiabetic medicines (metformin, insulin), medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil), medicines used to lower cholesterol levels (simvastatin), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), and other anti-hypertensive medicines (aliskiren, enalapril, lisinopril, ramipril), NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), and antidiabetics (insulin, glipizide, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone).
Drug-Food Interactions: Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with high potassium-containing food and drinks. So, if you are using any of the OTC items, please tell your doctor.
Drug-Disease Interactions: The efficacy of Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is affected, and the disease condition may even worsen if taken in patients with a recent or history of heart attack, low blood pressure, low potassium level, low electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.), anuria (non-passage of urine), angioedema (an allergic condition with swelling under the skin), lupus (an autoimmune disease), kidney disease, liver disease, and diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol and Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and liver damage.
Pregnancy
unsafeLosartan+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during pregnancy. This medicine may cause fetal damage and can affect the unborn baby (fetus).
Breast Feeding
cautionLosartan+hydrochlorothiazide is known to pass breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown. So, before breastfeeding, let your doctor know about this.
Driving
cautionLosartan+hydrochlorothiazide causes drowsiness and dizziness, so drive only if you are alert
Liver
cautionLosartan+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have or 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
unsafeNot recommended in patients with chronic kidney disease (severe renal impairment). Safety and effectiveness in patients with severe renal impairment have not been established.
Children
cautionLosartan+hydrochlorothiazide hasn’t been studied in children younger than 18 years of age. So, it shouldn’t be used in people younger than 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- 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 (table salt) intake in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, then only one serving for women and two servings is advisable.
- 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.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition 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. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is when your 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
Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of Losartan (angiotensin II receptor antagonist) and Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic or water pill). Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker that helps to relax and widen the blood vessels (arteries) for easy blood flow to the whole body. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that prevents excess salt absorption in the body, preventing fluid retention. Together it lowers blood pressure and prevents the risk of stroke, heart attack, and oedema (fluid overload).
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 to discontinue it.
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.
In case you have missed a dose of 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 the doses together. Take only one dose; taking a double dose of Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide will lead to low blood pressure.
It is not recommended to take Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant as it can damage the unborn baby (may lead to fetal toxicity).
Yes, prolonged intake of Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause an increase in blood potassium level. So, patients taking Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide should avoid taking supplements and food rich in potassium to avoid any unpleasant side-effect.
Yes, Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
You should not take Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide if you have ever had liver disease, kidney failure, glaucoma, high or low levels of magnesium or potassium in your blood, have allergies or asthma, lupus (an autoimmune disease), diabetes, anuria (reduction or absence of urine) and pregnant women in their second or third trimesters. Besides this, avoid using Losartan+hydrochlorothiazide (in case of diabetes) with aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine) as it can lead to a life-threatening condition.
