- What is it for
- 1. Treatment of high blood pressure
- 2. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
- 3. Renal protection in people with type 2 diabetes and proteinuria
- How to use
- Possible side effects
- Who should not take
Losartan potassium is a medication that causes the dilation of blood vessels, facilitating the passage of blood and reducing its pressure in the arteries and facilitating the work of the heart to pump. Thus, this medication is widely used to lower high blood pressure and relieve symptoms of heart failure.
This substance can be found in the dosages 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg, in conventional pharmacies, in the form of a generic or with different trade names such as Losartan, Corus, Cozaar, Torlós, Valtrian, Zart and Zaarpress, for example, by a price that can be between 15 and 80 reais, which depends on the laboratory, dosage and number of pills in the package.
What is it for
Losartan potassium is a remedy that is indicated for:
1. Treatment of high blood pressure
Losartan potassium is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure, when treatment with ACE inhibitors is no longer considered adequate.
2. Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
This remedy can also be used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, stroke and myocardial infarction in people who have high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy.
3. Renal protection in people with type 2 diabetes and proteinuria
Losartan potassium is also indicated to slow the progression of kidney disease and to reduce proteinuria. Find out what proteinuria is and what causes it.
How to use
The recommended dose should be guided by a general practitioner or cardiologist, as it varies according to the problem to be treated, the symptoms, other remedies being used and the body's response to the medication.
The general guidelines indicate:
- High blood pressure: it is usually advisable to take 50 mg once a day, and the dose may be increased to 100 mg; Heart failure: the starting dose is usually 12.5 mg once a day, but can be increased to 50 mg; Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in people with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy: The starting dose is 50 mg, once a day, which can be increased to 100 mg or associated with hydrochlorothiazide, based on the person's response to the initial dose; Renal protection in people with type 2 diabetes and proteinuria: The starting dose is 50 mg per day, which can be increased to 100 mg, based on the blood pressure response to the initial dose.
Usually this medicine is taken in the morning, but it can be used at any time of the day, as it keeps its action for 24 hours. The pill can be broken.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects that may occur during treatment with Losartana include dizziness, low blood pressure, hyperkalaemia, excessive tiredness and dizziness.
Who should not take
Losartan potassium is contraindicated in people who are allergic to the active substance or any component present in the formula.
In addition, this medicine should not be used by pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, as well as people with liver and kidney problems or who are undergoing treatment with medicines that contain aliskiren.
