What is losartan?
Losartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Losartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.
Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease.
Losartan is used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure.
Losartan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about losartan?
Do not use losartan if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of losartan.
Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking losartan, unless your doctor has told you to.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.
Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
In rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking losartan?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.
To make sure you can safely take losartan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use losartan if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Losartan can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester.
It is not known whether losartan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.