Cozaar

This medicine is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist used to treat high blood pressure by working to prevent the narrowing of blood vessels. Losartan is used to treat diabetic kidney problems as well.

Treating high blood pressure. It is also used to reduce the risk of stroke in certain patients with high blood pressure and for treating kidney disease in certain patients with type 2 diabetes.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using

Warning: this drug can cause serious fetal harm if used during the last six months of pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop using this drug and immediately contact your physician. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Do not use Cozaar

• If you are allergic to any ingredient in Cozaar
• If you are pregnant
• For a child with severely decreased kidney function

Precautions

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.

Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

For women: use of this medicine during pregnancy has resulted in fetal and newborn death. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor immediately. It is unknown if this drug is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. Store this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If you are only taking one dose a day and do not remember your missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cozaar side effects

A side effect, that may go away during treatment, is dizziness. If it continues or is bothersome, check with your doctor. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusual dizziness or fainting, and rapid or unusually slow pulse.

Additional information about Cozaar

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Cozaar may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cozaar with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Cozaar 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.

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.

Cozaar has not been shown to reduce the risk of stroke or certain heart problems in black patients who have high blood pressure.

Diabetes patients - Cozaar 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 liver function, kidney function, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Cozaar . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Cozaar should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

Cozaar is not recommended for use in CHILDREN who have severely decreased kidney function.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not take Cozaar after the third month of pregnancy. It may cause injury or death to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is unknown if Cozaar is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cozaar.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.