What is Losartan? Losartan is a prescription medication, the brand name is Cozaar. It belongs
to a family of medications called Angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBS for short! How does
Losartan work? Losartan works by relaxing your blood vessels and in this way your blood pressure
is reduced,this results in a more efficient blood flow through your vessels. What is Losartan used
for? This medication is used to treat high blood pressure. If you're a diabetic your doctor might
be using it to protect your kidney function, in particular in patients who are losing protein
through their kidneys. It is also used if your blood pressure is causing a heart problem
where the left chamber of your heart is thicker. This condition is called left ventricular
hypertrophy. Using this medication can reduce the risk of a stroke. It can also be used after
heart attack to help prevent further heart attacks. It is also shown to improve survival
after such an event.Losartan can be also used in the management of progressive heart failure
and helps decrease mortality and improve the heart's function. Dosing and administration?
Here i'm talking about the tablets and the dosage forms for the tablets, they are 25 milligrams,
50 milligrams and 100 milligrams: I usually start at the lowest dose which is 25 milligrams
and titrate up gradually.Some Doctors like to start at a higher dose at 50 milligrams,
especially in younger patients and increase the dose for blood pressure control and for symptom
management. How long does it last for Losartan to work? Losartan can reduce your high blood pressure
in about six hours, however for you to enjoy the full benefits of Losartan it might take a couple
of weeks usually around three to six weeks. 19 must know tips for Losartan: Number one
Losartan can increase your potassium, you have to be careful when you take in potassium-rich
foods such as bananas, potatoes or oranges or if you're taking any potassium supplements.Your
doctor will have to regularly check your electrolytes. Number two: if you're on
losartan especially for a longer period of time there is the risk of kidney injury, but
doctor didn't you just say that the medication is kidney protective. Well in patients with diabetes
and kidney problems it is protective, however, if you have a pre-existing kidney problem
another kind of kidney disease where the kidney blood flow is lower this is called renal artery
stenosis or in older patients you would be at risk. Number three one of the reasons I'm hesitant
about starting Losartan at too high of a dose especially if you are on a diuretic such as Lasix
is that you would be at an increased risk for an acute kidney injury, especially if your blood
volume is compromised because of dehydration or because you're on a diuretic such as Lasix.
Number four: your Doctor will warn you not to take non-aspirin NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen,
Advil or Motrin as this significantly increases the chance of a kidney injury. Number five
Losartan can be taken with or without food,take it around the same time every day. Number six
if you're taking this medication, especially if you're older, like I advise with all other
blood pressure medications is that it can make you feel dizzy and lightheaded especially if your son
needs to stand up so take your time when you're getting up from a sitting or sleeping position.
Be careful when you're going up and down stairs. Number seven this medication should not be taken
during pregnancy, if you do become pregnant tell your Doctor as soon as possible as this medication
should be immediately discontinued, this is because losartan can cause birth defects. Number
eight: if you do develop cold-like symptoms while on this medication it could be a side effect from
the medication these include a stuffy nose,sore throat and sneezing. Number nine: picking alcohol
and Losartan can increase the risk of side effects and further lower your blood pressure.
Number 10 all drugs have side effects and if you're interested in side effects of other
common blood pressure medications click on this link above. Having said that some individuals,
as we are all different genetically and physiologically, have no side effects or just mild
side effects. I'm just going to highlight some of these side effects pertaining this
particular drug which are quite common. Talk to your Doctor or talk to your pharmacist about
these side effects.Number 11 if you're having an allergic reaction such as swelling of your face,
lips,mouth, tongue or throat or difficulty breathing, chest pain, new onset of hives or
a rash with itching call your Doctor as soon as possible or get medical help as soon as possible.
Number 12 this medication can cause a cough, reach out to your Doctor, especially if it's
getting too bothersome as they might want to change you to another medication. Number 13
patients who are diabetics might experience low blood sugars make sure you're monitoring your
blood sugars regularly. Number fourteen if you're unable to swallow the tablets, the tablets can be
made into a liquid suspension. Number fifteen: if you have liver disease your dose of Losartan will
need to be adjusted and the typical starting dose for you would be 25 milligrams daily.Number 16:
Losartan may not be as effective if you are of African American descent, this is because of
lower levels of a hormone called Renin while your blood pressure is elevated.Number 17: if you're
on a blood pressure medication called Tectuna this is the brand name the ingredient of the medication
is right here you cannot take it with Losartan. Number 18 it can interact
with a number of medications and the list will be too exhaustive, I'll just highlight a couple
you know right here or right here or another right here or right here and number 19. In 2019
and subsequent years there have been recalls of Losartan and other ARBS due to trace amounts of
impurities in an active pharmaceutical ingredient, these recalls affected certain lots and batch
numbers, the names of these impurities are NDMA and NDEA they're also referred to as nitrosamines.
There's the risk of cancer if taken for a long period of time. Currently the FDA is recommending
that you should continue taking the medication if the medication were to be suddenly stopped
the harm would be higher to someone's health without an alternative treatment. You can talk to
your doctor or your pharmacist to safely switch to an alternative ARB or Lot which was not affected
and if you're interested in other videos you can click right here or right here or right here
or right here Think your health and have a good day!!i don't know what is going on with my phone
then someone strike to text me am i in focus so i'm repeating this thing
because i'm not sure whether i put the record button on why is it taking so long