About Losartan 50 mg Tablet
Losartan 50 mg Tablet contains Losartan 50 mg. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It is used to treat high blood pressure, to protect the kidneys in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, and in some people with heart failure. It relaxes blood vessels so blood flows more easily. It is usually taken once a day and needs to be taken long term.
Uses of Losartan 50 mg Tablet
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure
- Heart failure, when ACE inhibitors are not suitable
- Reducing stroke risk in people with high blood pressure and a thickened heart muscle
Benefits
In high blood pressure
Lowering blood pressure reduces the strain on your heart and blood vessels and lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. Keep taking it even if you feel well.
In diabetic kidney disease
It can help slow damage to the kidneys.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away. Do not stop the medicine without asking your doctor.
Common
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Low blood pressure
- High potassium in blood tests
Get medical help if you notice
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing — stop and seek emergency care
- Feeling faint or dizzy, especially when standing up — sit or lie down and tell your doctor
- Muscle weakness, tiredness or an irregular heartbeat — may be high potassium; contact your doctor
- Passing much less urine — contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually once a day at the same time, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with water.
How it works
Losartan blocks the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that narrows blood vessels. This lets blood vessels relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure and reduces strain on the heart and kidneys.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can lower blood pressure further and make you dizzy. Limit alcohol.
Pregnancy Unsafe
It can harm the unborn baby and must not be used in pregnancy. Tell your doctor straight away if you become pregnant or plan to.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It is not recommended while breastfeeding. Ask your doctor about other options.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness or tiredness, especially at the start. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Caution
Your doctor may check kidney function and potassium levels regularly. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may start with a lower dose in liver disease. It is not recommended in severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it every day at the same time, even if you feel well.
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying to avoid dizziness.
- Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes unless your doctor says so.
- Drink enough fluids; vomiting, diarrhoea or heavy sweating can make your blood pressure drop too low.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Biphenyl tetrazole derivative
- Therapeutic class
- Cardiovascular / antihypertensive
- Action class
- Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Potassium supplements, salt substitutes, spironolactone and similar diuretics | Can raise blood potassium to unsafe levels |
| NSAID pain killers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac | Can reduce its effect and harm the kidneys |
| Lithium | Lithium levels may rise |
| ACE inhibitors or aliskiren | Higher risk of low blood pressure, high potassium and kidney problems; aliskiren must not be combined in diabetes or kidney disease |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Losartan prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: losartan potassium). Pharmacist review pending.