Losartan Tablets

Losartan Tablets

Losartan comes in four strengths: 12.mg, 25mg, 50mg and 100mg

What are Losartan Tablets?

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). This medication may be used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
 

How does Losartan work as a treatment for High Blood Pressure?
 

Losartan works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood passes through them more easily. Relaxed vessels increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart which improve blood pressure and the hearts workload.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is added workload to the heart and arteries. If this added  pressure continues for a long period of time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. With controlled treatment of high blood pressure these problems may be less likely to occur.

Emergency supplies of Losartan:

Losartan is a prescription only medicine and an Emergency Supply can only be issued if you are currently being prescribed this medication by your GP for high blood pressure.  You will need to fill out a questionnaire, which is then reviewed to make sure Losartan is a suitable treatment for you. If your order is approved, your Losartan can be sent directly to you.

Warnings and Precautions:

Always take this medication exactly as directed by your GP.

Keep out of sight and Reach of children.

If you are taking any new medications even over the counter medicines whilst taking Losartan you should make your GP aware to prevent interactions.

Some patients experience spells of dizziness while taking Losartan tablets. Make sure this does not apply to you before driving a car or working with machinery.

Ingredients:

Active ingredients: Losartan

How do I take Losartan Tablets?

Losartan Tablets must be used exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you are unsure contact your GP.

Recommended starting dose is usually:

At first, 50mg once a day. Your GP may adjust your dose as needed.
 

It should be taken at the same time each day, with a glass of water.

What are the side effects of Losartan  Tablets?

Common side effects:

• dizziness
• low blood pressure
• weakness
• Fatigue
• low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• too much potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia)

Uncommon side effects:

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Sleep disorders
• Feeling very fast heartbeat (palpitations)
• Severe chest pain (angina)
• Low blood pressure (especially after excessive loss of water from the body within he blood vessels, for example in patients with severe heart failure or on Treatment with high doses of diuretics)
• Dose-related orthostatic effects, such as decreased blood pressure after rising after lying or sitting
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Abdominal pain
• Chronic constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Sickness
• Vomiting
• Hives (hives)
• Itching (pruritus)
• Acne
• Localized swelling (edema)

Rare side effects:

• Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis, Schonlein Henoch purpura)
• Numbness or tingling sensation (paresthesia)
• Fainting (syncope)
• Very fast and irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), stroke (stroke)
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
• Elevation of blood levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), which usually resolves when treatment is stopped

Any concerns or queries regarding any side effects this medicine has caused or could cause you can call your GP or our pharmacist.

If you have any severe side effects seek medical assitance as soon as possible.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the above description and patient information leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for “MHRA yellowcard” in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.