Prescription Losartan Drug Information

Do not take Losartan: if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to losartan or to any of its other ingredients if you have severe liver problems if you are more than 3 months pregnant. (It is also better to avoid Losartan in early pregnancy-see pregnancy section.) Take special care with Losartan You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Losartan is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see pregnancy section). It is important to tell your doctor before taking Losartan: if you have ever had swelling of the face, lips, throat, and/or tongue (also known as angioedema) if you lose fluid through vomiting or diarrhoea if you are prescribed diuretics (medicines that increase the amount of water that you pass out through your kidneys) or are under dietary salt restriction if you are known to have narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels leading to your kidneys or if you have received a kidney transplant if you have liver problems if you have heart problems - caution is needed if you are treated with medicines known as blockers if you have ever had a stroke if you suffer from primary hyperaldosteronism (a hormone imbalance) Taking other medicines Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription or herbal medicines and natural products. Take particular care if you are taking the following medicines while under treatment with Losartan: Other blood pressure lowering medicines as they may additionally reduce your blood pressure. This list of medicines includes baclofen, amifostine and medicines used for mental health such as amitriptyline and chlorpromazine Medicines that affect potassium e.g. potassium supplements or certain diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, triamterene, spironolactone or medicines containing potassium such as heparin Pain-relieving medicines such as indometacin and medicines known as cox-2-inhibitors because they may reduce the blood lowering effect of losartan. If you already have kidney problems then using these medicines together with losartan may worsen your kidney function. Lithium containing medicines should not be taken in combination with losartan without close supervision by your doctor. Special precautionary measures (e.g. blood tests) may be appropriate Taking Losartan with food and drink Losartan may be taken with or without food. Pregnancy and breast feeding Pregnancy You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Your doctor will normally advice you to stop taking Losartan before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Losartan. Losartan is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy. Breast feeding Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Losartan is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed, especially if your baby is newborn, or was born prematurely. Use in children and adolescents Losartan may be prescribed for children and adolescents. For more information, talk to your doctor. Driving and using machines Losartan may cause side effects such as dizziness or drowsiness in some people and so may affect the ability to drive or use machines. If you experience side effects, you should consult your doctor before attempting such activities