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Hyzaar Consumer Information

HYZAAR

Generic Name: losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (low SAR tan and hye droe klor oh THYE a zide)

Brand Names: Hyzaar

What is the most important information I should know about losartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

• Do not take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, losartan can cause injury and even death to the developing fetus. Notify your doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

What is losartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

• Losartan is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It increases the amount of water and salt you lose in your urine. Hydrochlorothiazide is used to lower blood pressure and to decrease edema (swelling).
• Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide is used to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

• Do not take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if you have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics. You may have an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide.
• Before taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you
• have diabetes;
• have gout;
• have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus;
• have pancreatitis;
• have kidney disease;
• have liver disease;
• have any type of heart disease or have had a stroke;
• are on a salt-restricted diet or have high levels of potassium in your blood; or
• are taking potassium supplements (e.g., K-Dur, Klor-Con, others), or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone).
• You may not be able to take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to harm an unborn baby. When used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, losartan can cause injury and even death of the developing fetus. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant.
• It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Do not take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

• Take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
• You can take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide with or without food.
• Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking this medication, your condition could become worse.
• Call your doctor before taking any more doses if you develop severe dizziness or fainting.
• Store losartan and hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a losartan and hydrochlorothiazide overdose are not well known but may include dizziness, weakness, fainting, and fatigue.

What should I avoid while taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.
• Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
• Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt may cause your body to retain water and may decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide.
• Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without first talking to your doctor. Losartan can affect potassium levels in your body.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated while taking hydrochlorothiazide.

What are the possible side effects of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment.
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• little or no urine;
• unusual fatigue, abnormal bleeding or bruising;
• yellow skin or eyes, confusion; or
• fainting.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide and talk to your doctor if you experience
• diarrhea or upset stomach;
• muscle pain or cramps;
• dizziness;
• insomnia;
• congestion or cough;
• tingling or numbness in your arms, legs, hands, or feet;
• excessive urination;
• muscle weakness or cramps;
• increased hunger or thirst;
• nausea or decreased appetite; or
• sensitivity to sunlight.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect losartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

• Before taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you are taking
• a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
• a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide);
• a barbiturate such as phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), pentobarbital (Nembutal), secobarbital (Seconal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), and others;
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), and others;
• an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), or tolbutamide (Orinase);
• cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); or
• digoxin (Lanoxin).
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with losartan and hydrochlorothiazide or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about losartan and hydrochlorothiazide written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

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Version: 5.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.