Losartan Side Effects

Losartan Side Effects: Losartan is the generic name for Cozaar, the first angiotensin receptor blocker that came to market in the US. Losartan is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. It is usually used once daily for most patients, but sometimes requires twice daily dosing because of its relatively short serum half-life. Losartan side effects are relatively uncommon and like the other angiotensin receptor blockers is often used as an alternative to an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor when cough is noted as one of the lisinopril side effects or a side effect of another angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Indications for losartan include hypertension, prevention of diabetic nephropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus, stroke prevention especially in patients with hypertension, and in treatment of congestive heart failure.

Black Box Warnings: Serious neonatal or fetal morbidity or mortality can occur when medications that have a direct action on the renin-angiotensin symptom are taking durum pregnancy. A woman should discontinue use of losartan immediately after pregnancy is detected.

Common Losartan Side Effects: In general the side effects of the angiotensin receptor blockers including losartan side effects are relatively uncommon. Among the more common losartan side effects are dizziness, URI and cough symptoms, fatigue, and surprisingly cough. Although cough is much less common as a side effect of losartan then it is as a lisinopril side effect or side effect of ACE inhibitors it is still listed as a common losartan side effect. Chest pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, anemia, elevated liver transaminase is, and elevated renal function tests like serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are other common losartan side effects.

Serious Losartan Side Effects: Allergic type serious losartan side effects include angioedema and anaphylactic reactions. Serious metabolic losartan side effects include hyperkalemia, renal failure or lesser degrees of renal impairment, and hepatitis. Severe hypotension can is another serious losartan side effect. As mentioned in the black box section above use during pregnancy can cause severe oligohydramnios and fetal harm or death with in utero exposure. When losartan or other angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are used in patients with significant renal artery stenosis acute renal insufficiency can result. Many physicians request that patients have renal function testing done just a few weeks after starting these drugs.

Losartan Contraindications and Cautions: Pregnancy and use in women of childbearing age is a strong contraindication to losartan use. Renal impairment or renal artery stenosis can lead to acute renal insufficiency and is a strong caution or even contraindication to losartan use. With hepatic impairment or severe volume depletion caution is advised. When used in combination with ace inhibitors hyperkalemia is more of a concern and careful monitoring is needed. Lithium also requires careful monitoring if used at the same time as losartan. Treatment may need to be modified when used in conjunction with other ace inhibitors or angiotensin roadblock receptor blockers. When used with thiazide diuretics the anti-hypertensive effect of losartan is exaggerated and monitoring for hypotension is indicated. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can reduce the efficacy of losartan and are best avoided when possible. For complete listing of all cautions and drug interactions the reader should see the manufacturers prescribing details.

Pregnancy and Lactation: Losartan is considered pregnancy category C in the first trimester but serious oligohydramnios and fetal injury or death have been noted in the second and third trimesters and will start use is strongly contraindicated during pregnancy a. Safety in lactation is unknown.

Unusual Losartan Side Effects: Although cough is a classic side effect the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors it is noted on occasion with losartan also. High serum sodium levels, also known as hyperkalemia, is relatively common with losartan use and is something to keep in mind especially when adding this medication to a Paces patients drug regimen when they are already taking potassium supplements.

Losartan was the first of the angiotensin receptor blocker medications to come to market and so was also the first become available as a generic drug. Losartan is felt by many physicians to be slipped somewhat less potent than the other ARB drugs on the market but has regained some market share as the first available generic. Of the generic drugs are anticipated to come to market in 2012 and the use of losartan is likely to drop off after that time went cost of the drugs perceived be somewhat more effective also comes inexpensive.

There is some controversy as to whether the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or the ARB medications are more effective at prevention of diabetic nephropathy. Once the more popular ARB’s become available as a generic medication it is likely that ARB use may become more standard as a first-line antihypertensive and kidney protective drug for use in diabetics. Currently angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are generally considered the standard of care for the syndication. The same is true for use in congestive heart failure. Addition of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors has come to be understood as a key to prolonging life and improving functional status in patients with congestive heart failure. The ARB class of medications are also efficacious in this setting. As inexpensive ARB’s become more available after their patent expiration in the next year or two it is likely that there will be more interest in figuring out exactly which has a higher efficacy for use in congestive heart failure.