• Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist
• Losartan prevents blood vessels from narrowing and improves blood flow
• Losartan is used to treat hypertension and lower risk stroke in heart disease patients
• Losartan can treat slow, long-term kidney damage in Type 2 diabetes patients with hypertension
• Losartan may be used for other purposes not referenced on this page

Always follow the medication guidelines, your doctor's instructions, and your dosage amount instructions exactly. Your doctor will perform medical tests to ensure this medication is safe for you.

• Take with or without food
• It may take 3-6 weeks before blood pressure decreases; keep using losartan as directed
• Inform your doctor if symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks
• You will need regular blood pressure checks
• This medication may be a lifelong requirement
• Store at room temperature away from light, heat, moisture
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible; if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose

*Always inform your doctor of all known medications, medical conditions, and allergies prior to taking a new drug, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, supplements, recreational drugs, and vitamins.

General precautions:

• Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy when taking this drug
• Do not breastfeed while taking this drug
• Losartan can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and serious hypotension
• Rarely, losartan treatment can cause kidney failure and/or skeletal muscle tissue breakdown. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness, fever, fatigue, and dark urine
• Avoid consuming alcohol
• Avoid potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless otherwise directed by doctor
• Avoid standing up too quickly

Inform your doctor if you:

• Plan or have become pregnant
• Have kidney disease
• Have liver disease
• Have congestive heart failure
• Have an electrolyte imbalance
• Are dehydrated (call doctor if you experience vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating)
• Symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks

Do not use this medication if you:

• Are allergic
• Are pregnant - inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant
• Are diabetic and using medication that contains aliskiren

Interactions (inform your doctor if you also take):

• Diuretics; "water pills"
• Other blood pressure medications
• Lithium
• Celecoxib
• NSAIDS, such as: ibuprofen, aspirin

Please note that the precautionary information, interactions, and side effects listed on this webpage are not exhaustive. Other effects may occur. Please consult with your doctor about the relevance of this information to your personal case.

Always inform your doctor of all known medications, medical conditions, and allergies prior to taking a new drug, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, supplements, recreational drugs, and vitamins.

Common side effects:

• Cold/flu-like symptoms, such as: congestion, sore throat, fever
• Dry cough
• Muscle cramps
• Leg/back pain
• Stomach pain and diarrhea
• Headaches, dizziness
• Fatigue
• Sleep problems

Cease use and seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• An overdose
• Symptoms of allergic reaction: breathing difficulty, swelling on face/mouth/tongue/throat, hives
• Unexplained muscle pain/tenderness/weakness, especially if accompanied by fever, unusual fatigue, and dark urine

Cease use and contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating
• Sensation that you may faint
• Painful/burning urination
• Pale skin, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, rapid heart rate, problems concentrating
• Chest pain, wheezing
• Drowsiness, confusion, increased thirst, changes in mood, nausea, vomiting
• Swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath, more/less/no urination than usual

Please note that the precautionary information, interactions, and side effects listed on this webpage are not exhaustive. Other effects may occur. Please consult with your doctor about the relevance of this information to your personal case.