Losartan (Cozaar) – What You Need To Know

Brand Name: Cozaar

What is Losartan (Cozaar)?

losartan cozaarThe Information about Losartan (Cozaar) contained herein is a compilation of materials available from drugs.com and simplified for the average consumer.

Angiotensin II is a natural substance in your body that narrows your blood vessels, releases a hormone that increases the amount of sodium and water in your body, and can also thicken and stiffen the walls of your blood vessels and heart.

Losartan also known by the brand name Cozaar is an Angiotensin II receptor blocker, which helps to stop this damage within the blood vessels.

There are drug free alternatives to lowering your blood pressure that may be effective for you. Read about them here.

How to use Losartan (Cozaar)

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Losartan (Cozaar).

  • taking pillTake Losartan (Cozaar) as prescribed on your medication bottle. Do not take more or less or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
  • You can easily become dehydrated or get extreme electrolyte imbalance while taking Losartan (Cozaar), so tell your doctor if have diarrhea or vomiting.
  • You may need regular doctors visits to check your blood pressure.
  • Store Losartan (Cozaar) at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. Do not double your dose. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Losartan (Cozaar).

What to know before using Losartan (Cozaar):

If any of the following conditions apply to you, DO NOT TAKE Losartan (Cozaar):

Diabetics and those with kidney problems should not use Losartan (Cozaar) with any medication that contains Aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

  • kidney diseaseyou are allergic to any ingredient in Losartan (Cozaar)
  • you are pregnant or become pregnant
  • If you have muscle pain, weakness tenderness, fever, increased tiredness and dark colored urine, discontinue Losartan (Cozaar) as these may be signs of kidney problems.

If any of the following conditions apply to you, discuss with your doctor before taking or changing your dosage of Losartan (Cozaar):

  • kidney disease
  • liver disease
  • planning to become pregnant
  • CHF – Congestive heart failure
  • become dehydrated or low on electrolytes

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Losartan (Cozaar). Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

  • medicationDiuretics
  • Potassium-sparing diuretics
  • ACE inhibitors
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Other blood pressure medications
  • Celecoxib
  • Lithium

This list may not be complete.  Speak with your doctor if you are going to take or change your dose of Losartan (Cozaar).

Side effects of Losartan (Cozaar):

Discuss with your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • anxiety
  • bladder pain
  • bloody or cloudy urine
  • blurred vision
  • chills
  • cold sweats
  • coma
  • confusion
  • cool, pale skin
  • depression
  • difficult breathing
  • difficult, burning,
    or painful urination
  • dizziness
  • fast heartbeat
  • frequent urge to urinate
  • headache
  • increased hunger
  • irregular heartbeat
  • lower back or side pain
  • nausea or vomiting
  • nightmares
  • numbness or tingling in the
    hands, feet, or lips
  • pale skin
  • seizures
  • shakiness
  • shortness of breath
  • slurred speech
  • troubled breathing with exertion
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • weakness or heaviness of the legs
  • Arm, back, or jaw pain
  • chest pain or discomfort
  • chest tightness or heaviness
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when
    getting up suddenly from a lying/sitting position
  • fainting
  • fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
  • inability to speak
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  • severe or sudden headache
  • sweating
  • swelling or puffiness of the face
  • temporary blindness
  • unsteadiness or awkwardness
  • weakness in the arm or leg on one side
    of the body
  • weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • cough
  • dark urine
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • general tiredness and weakness
  • hives
  • itching
  • large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids,
    lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • light-colored stools
  • muscle cramps or spasms
  • muscle pain or stiffness
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or
    around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • skin rash
  • upper right abdominal or stomach pain
  • yellow eyes and skin

Less serious side effects include:

  • Blindness (should clear up on it’s own)
  • body aches or pain
  • decreased vision
  • dry cough
  • ear congestion
  • loss of voice
  • nasal congestion
  • runny nose
  • sneezing
  • sore throat
  • Acid or sour stomach
  • back pain
  • belching
  • difficulty with moving
  • heartburn
  • increased sensitivity to pain
  • increased sensitivity to touch
  • indigestion
  • joint pain
  • lack or loss of strength
  • pain in the knees or legs
  • pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
  • stomach discomfort or upset
  • swollen joints
  • trouble sleeping
  • weight gain
  • Ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
  • bloated
  • change or loss of taste
  • depression
  • difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  • dry skin
  • excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
  • full feeling
  • hair loss or thinning of the hair
  • hearing loss
  • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • loss of appetite
  • passing gas
  • redness or other discoloration of the skin
  • severe sunburn
  • weight loss

The information about Losartan (Cozaar) comes from drugs.com

Losartan (Cozaar) Natural Alternatives:

tikvawithdrinkIf you are taking Losartan (Cozaar) or other Angiotensin II receptor blockers, the various ingredients  in Tikva have been proven through either clinical trials or other research to lower your blood pressure naturally by dilating (widening) the arteries. Tikva has several natural ingredients that help to widen the arteries, so they do not become too narrow.

Several of the ingredients in Tikva can also increase circulation, dissolve plaque that is already in the arteries and reduce new plaque from forming. In addition, there are ingredients in Tikva to help reduce stress that often increases blood pressure without all of the side effects.

Read more about the natural ingredients in Tikva on our research and ingredients page, by clicking here.

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The information provided on this page should not be used to decide whether or not to take Losartan (Cozaar) or any other medicine. Consult your doctor to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition.

This information about Losartan (Cozaar) is a brief summary and does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Losartan (Cozaar).

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must speak with your doctor for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Losartan (Cozaar).