Generic Name(s): Losartan Potassium
Brand Name(s): Cozartan
This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist

Common Uses:
This drug is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes. It is also used to lower the risk of strokes in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart. This drug works by blocking the hormone angiotensin thereby relaxing blood vessels, causing them to widen. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

How to use:
Take Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. You may take Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) with or without food. To be sure Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments. It may take 3 to 6 weeks of using this medicine before your blood pressure is under control. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 weeks of treatment.

Warning and Precautions:
Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.
Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) may not work as well to reduce the risk of stroke in black patients. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.
Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Diabetes patients- This may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, and heart, kidney, or liver function, may be performed while you use Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25). These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Important safety information:
Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) may cause injury or death to the fetus if taken after the third month of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Side Effects:
Any of the medicine can cause side effects. If the side effects occur, seek medical attention or consult your doctor. Anyway, such common side effects may bother you:  diarrhea, stomach pain, dizziness, headache, temporary vision changes, nausea, tiredness, vomiting. Seek medical attention if any of these side effects occur: chest pain, allergic reactions, difficulty swallowing or breathing, fainting, irregular or slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, unusual stomach pain, painful or prolonged erection.

Overdose:
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heartbeat, dizziness, or feeling like you might pass out. Almost any medicine taking in excess doses without consultation with your doctor can cause an overdose.

Missed Dose:
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Do not use this medicine:
If you have any allergic reaction to any component of this medicine.

Storage conditions:
Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

All the information given above is a summary. You should visit your doctor to get more information about this medicine. Do not share Losartan Potassium (Cozartan-25) with the others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Do not store the medication with an end term of its storage.