Indications for Generic Cozaar
Cozaar or losartan potassium is a medication which belongs to a class of drugs known as angiotensin II receptor antagonists. It works through preventing angiotensin II from causing blood vessels to constrict, which usually causes high blood pressure.
Cozaar is essentially used for the management of high blood pressure. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications for high blood pressure like diuretics.
Cozaar is also prescribed to delay the progress of kidney disease which is caused by type 2 diabetes. It can also be used for other medical conditions as determined by your physician.
Important Information about Generic Cozaar
Cozaar should be taken regularly to get its full effects. Continue taking the medication for as long as it has been prescribed for you by your doctor even when you are already feeling better as it could take several weeks before the medication works to improve your condition.
Cozaar cannot cure high blood pressure. Instead, it keeps the condition under control.
Keep in mind that taking Cozaar with a diuretic could cause low blood pressure, making you experience side effects such as fainting or lightheadedness. If you experience this, contact your doctor right as your doctor might have to be changed or discontinued.
Let your doctor know about any other drugs or medications that you are taking such as indomethacin, troleandomycin, ketoconazole and diuretics like amiloride or spironolactone so you can be sure that none of them would be interacting with Cozaar.
Inform your doctor of any medical condition that you receiving treatment for such as kidney disease, liver disease or congestive heart failure. If you have any of these, your dose might need to be altered or decreased.
Because Cozaar could increase the potassium level in your blood, consult your doctor first before you start taking salt substitutes or potassium supplements.
Cozaar belongs to the FDA pregnancy category D, which means that it can harm a developing baby. Never take Cozaar if you are pregnant. Also inform your doctor if you get pregnant during treatment or are breastfeeding a baby.
Dosage and Administration of Generic Cozaar
You should not take Cozaar if you have an allergy to losartan potassium or to other similar drugs.
Cozaar could be taken with or without meals. However, make sure that you would be taking it at around the same time daily. This would reduce the likelihood that you would be missing your dose and would make sure that you would be getting the most out of the medication.
If you miss a dose of Cozaar, take it as soon as you can; but if the next dose is almost up, you could just forget about the dose that you missed and then just take the next dose that is regularly scheduled. Never, under any circumstances, take two doses together.
If you overdose on Cozaar, get medical assistance at once. Some of the symptoms of a Cozaar or losartan potassium overdose include low blood pressure and an abnormally slow or fast heartbeat.
Possible Side Effects of Generic Cozaar
Cozaar or losartan potassium may cause some side effects such as dizziness, cough, chest pain, weakness and upper respiratory infection. These should go away on their own but if they worsen or you start experiencing other more severe side effects, contact your doctor or get emergency medical help immediately.