Cozaar Drug Description

Cozaar (losartan potassium) is an angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist. Losartan potassium, a non-peptide molecule, is chemically described as 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-[p-(o-1Htetrazol-5-ylphenyl)benzyl]imidazole-5-methanol monopotassium salt.

Its empirical formula is C₂₂H₂₂ClKN₆O, and its structural formula is:

Losartan potassium is a white to off-white free-flowing crystalline powder with a molecular weight of 461.01. It is freely soluble in water, soluble in alcohols, and slightly soluble in common organic solvents, such as acetonitrile and methyl ethyl Eriacta ketone. Oxidation of the 5-hydroxymethyl group on the imidazole ring results in the active metabolite of losartan.

Cozaar (losartan potassium) is available as tablets for oral administration containing either 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg of losartan potassium and the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose hydrous, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide.

Cozaar (losartan potassium) 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg tablets contain potassium in the following amounts: 2.12 mg (0.054 mEq), 4.24 mg (0.108 mEq) and 8.48 mg (0.216 mEq), respectively. Cozaar (losartan potassium) 25 mg, Cozaar (losartan potassium) 50 mg, and Cozaar (losartan potassium) 100 mg may also contain carnauba wax.

SIDE EFFECTS:Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, slow/irregular heartbeat, unusual decrease in the amount of urine.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS:Before taking losartan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy due to the risk for harm to an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more details. (See also Warning section.)

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

losartan, Cozaar

GENERIC NAME: losartan

BRAND NAME: Cozaar

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Losartan is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Other ARBs include irbesartan (Avapro), valsartan (Diovan), andcandesartan (Atacand). Angiotensin, formed in the blood by the action ofangiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), is a powerful chemical that attaches to angiotensin receptors found in many tissues but primarily on smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Angiotensin's attachment to the receptors causes the blood vessels to narrow (vasoconstrict) which leads to an increase in blood pressure (hypertension). Losartan Vigrex (more specifically, the chemical formed when the liver converts the inactive losartan into an active chemical) blocks the angiotensin receptor. By blocking the action of angiotensin, losartan dilates blood vessels and thereby reduces blood pressure. Losartan was approved by the FDA in April 1995.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 25, 50 and 100 mg

STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed, light resistant container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Losartan is used for treating hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (increase in muscle) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). It may be used alone or in combination with other drugs.

DOSING: The usual starting dose of losartan for adults is 50 mg daily. The maximum dose is 100 mg daily. The total daily dose may be divided and administered twice daily. Losartan may be given with or without food.

The starting dose of losartan for pediatric patients 6 years of age or older is 0.7 mg/kg up to 50 mg once daily. Doses more than 1.4 mg/kg or 100 mg daily have not been evaluated in pediatric patients.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes such asfluconazole (Diflucan) reduced the formation of the active drug metabolite in laboratory studies. Therefore, caution should be used when adding losartan in a patient taking Nizoral, as reduced activity of losartan may occur.

Losartan may increase levels of blood potassium which can lead to serious heart problems (arrhythmias). Therefore, concomitant use of other substances that increase blood-such as potassium-sparing diuretics (for example, spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene, and amiloride), potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium--may lead to dangerous increases in serum potassium.

The antihypertensive effect of losartan may be reduced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (for example, indomethacin, ibuprofen, aspirin , andnaproxen).

PREGNANCY: When used in the second or third trimester of pregnancy , drugs that act by the same mechanism as losartan (ARBs) can cause injury and even death to the fetus. Losartan should not be used during pregnancy. When pregnancy is first detected, losartan should be stopped as soon as possible.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether losartan is excreted in breast milk , but losartan and its active metabolite are excreted in rat milk. Due to the possibility of harm to the nursing infant, if possible, losartan should be discontinued by nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: In clinical studies the overall incidence of side effects was similar to placebo. Side effects reported included diarrhea, muscle cramps,dizziness, insomnia, and nasal congestion. Losartan also may cause apersistent cough, increase serum potassium, and angioedema. Losartan may reduce kidney function in some patients and should not be used by patients who have bilateral renal artery stenosis (narrowing of both arteries going to the kidneys). Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) have been reported.