Cozaar
Generic Name: Losartan
Brand Name: Cozaar
Indications
Cozaar is indicated for the treatment of hypertension.
Dosage and Administration
Cozaar is available as 25mg, 50mg, 100mg tablets.
Normal dosage: The usual starting dose of Cozaar is 50 mg once daily, with 25 mg used in patients with possible depletion of intravascular volume (e.g., patients treated with diuretics) and patients with a history of hepatic impairment. Cozaar can be administered once or twice daily with total daily doses ranging from 25 mg to 100 mg.
Overdose: Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out.
Drug Description
Cozaar (losartan potassium) is an angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist. Losartan potassium, a non-peptide molecule, is chemically described as 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-[p-(o-1H-tetrazol-5-ylphenyl)benzyl]imidazole-5-methanol monopotassium salt.
Its empirical formula is C22H22ClKN6O, and its structural formula is:
Losartan potassium is a white to off-white free-flowing crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 461.01. It is freely soluble in water, soluble in alcohols, and slightly soluble in common organic solvents, such as acetonitrile and methyl ethyl ketone. Oxidation of the 5-hydroxymethyl group on the imidazole ring results in the active metabolite of losartan.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty in breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- feeling like you might pass out;
- painful or difficult urination;
- chest pain;
- numbness or tingly feeling;
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
- swelling in your hands or feet; or
- slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
- runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;
- muscle, leg, or back pain;
- nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea;
- headache, dizziness;
- tired feeling; or
- sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Precautions
- You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.
- Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of Cozaar. Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Cozaar, unless your doctor has told you to.
- Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
- This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Losartan may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Do not use losartan without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.
- Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Cozaar, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- a diuretic (water pill);
- lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid, Lithonate); or
- celecoxib (Cerebrex).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Cozaar. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
