Hyzaar Medical Information

• Hyzaar uses
• Hyzaar dosage
• Hyzaar side effects
• Warnings & precautions
• Drug interactions
• Missed dose
• Overdose

Common Brand Names: Hyzaar

Generic Name: Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide

The following product information is not intended to replace the physician's or manufacturer's instructions.

Common Medical Uses:
Losartan is in a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). The combination of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure.

How to Use Hyzaar:
This medicine may be taken with or without food. This medicine works best if there is a constant amount in the blood. Take the medicine at the same time each day. Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well. Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life .

Hyzaar Possible Side Effects:

Hyzaar may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• nasal congestion
• sore throat
• muscle pain or cramps
• excessive urination
• increased sensitivity to the sun

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, stop taking Hyzaar and call your doctor immediately:

• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, hands, or feet
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• unusual fatigue, abnormal bleeding or bruising
• lower back or side pain
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Hyzaar Warnings & Precautions:

• Don't take if: you are allergic to losartan or hydrochlorothiazide, if you are pregnant.
• Before taking Hyzaar , tell your doctor or/and pharmacist:
• if you have kidney or liver disease
• if you have asthma
• if you have fluid or electrolyte (e.g., potassium, sodium) imbalance
• if you have severe heart failure
• if you have diabetes
• if you have gout , hyperglycemia, or hyperuricemia
• if you have suppressed immune function
• Skin & sunlight: Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Hyzaar may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
• Driving, piloting or hazardous work: Losartan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take other medicines affecting alertness and reflexes.
• Discontinuing: Don't discontinue without consulting your doctor, even if you feel well. You can have hypertension without feeling any symptoms. Untreated high blood pressure can cause serious problems.
• Pregnancy: Risk category D. It is harmful to an unborn baby. Use of Hyzaar during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters can cause low blood pressure, severe kidney failure, or even death in the newborn. Do not take Hyzaar if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• Breast feeding: It is not known whether Hyzaar passes into breast milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
• Alcohol. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Hyzaar.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated while taking hydrochlorothiazide
• Not recommended for children under age 18 .

Drug Interactions:
The following drugs and foods may interact with Hyzaar:

• Antidiabetic drugs (oral agents and insulin) - dosage adjustment of the antidiabetic drug may be required
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, nonsteroidal (NSAIDs) - decreased anti-hypertensive effect
• Barbiturates
• Cholestyramine and colestipol resins
• Corticosteroids, ACTH - intensified electrolyte depletion, particularly hypokalemia
• Cyclosporine - excess potassium levels in the body
• Diuretics - increased anti-hypertensive effect
• Diuretics, potassium sparing - excess potassium levels in the body
• Hypotension-causing drugs - increased anti-hypertensive effect
• Indomethacin - decreased anti-hypertensive effect
• Lithium
• Potassium-containing medication - excess potassium levels in the body
• Potassium supplemets - excess potassium levels in the body
• Skeletal muscle relaxants, nondepolarizing (e.g., tubocurarine) - possible increased responsiveness to the muscle relaxant
• Sympathomimetics - decreased anti-hypertensive effect

Tell your health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.

Possible interactions with other substances:

• Salt substitutes containing potassium - excess potassium in the body

Missed Dose:
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

Overdose:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms: dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, rapid or pounding heartbeat.

See also:

• Hyzaar (Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide)
• How to order Hyzaar online
• Hyzaar 50/12.5mg