Losartan Potassium is a drug used to treat high-blood pressure in adults and some children. It can also help diabetic patients for better kidney function. Furthermore, it is used to lower the risk of stroke in those with excessive blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy. Lowering high blood pressure helps to avoid strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Losartan belongs to a class of medicines known as angiotensin receptor blockers. It works by relaxing the blood arteries, allowing blood to flow more smoothly.
Losartan Potassium Uses
- Treating high blood pressure in adults and children
- Lower risk of stroke for people with high blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), a condition characterised by thickened heart walls.
- Treat diabetic nephropathy, which is a kidney disease caused by diabetes, in particular persons with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, either now or in the past.
How does Losartan Potassium Work?
Losartan works by inhibiting the action of angiotensin II, a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to contract and constrict. It helps relax and enlarge the blood vessels, reducing blood pressure. This action helps manage high blood pressure and the other two disorders for which losartan is commonly recommended.
High blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) increases the risk of stroke, while low blood pressure minimises it.
Lower blood pressure lowers the risk of kidney injury. This is because high blood pressure increases the risk of kidney damage caused by the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes.
How Should One Take Losartan Potassium?
- Take losartan exactly as your doctor directed. Follow the recommendations on your prescription label and read any drug guidelines or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally adjust your dosage.
- Losartan is usually taken once a day.
- You can consume losartan either with or without food.
- If you feel nauseous or vomiting or your diarrhoea or you sweat a lot, contact your doctor immediately. Losartan can also cause dehydration rather quickly. This can cause electrolyte imbalance of severe degree, or renal failure.
- Your physician may request regular blood pressure monitoring.
- If you have hypertension, take this medication even when you are feeling fine. High blood pressure is one of the conditions that often do not produce any symptoms.
- Keep the drug at room temperature, in a place protected from heat, light, and humidity.
Losartan Potassium Side Effects
Losartan can have different levels of side effects, from mild ones to serious ones. The given below is a list of some of the most common side effects that may occur in patients treated with losartan:
- respiratory tract infections, such as cold.
- dizziness
- stuffy nose
- back pain
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- low blood sugar
- chest pain
- health problems such as high or low blood pressure.
What are the Situations to Avoid the Use of Losartan Potassium?
- Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant, notify your doctor immediately. It may hurt or even kill the unborn baby when it happens during the 2nd or 3rd trimester.
- In case of kidney issues, one may consider the choice of losartan and aliskiren contrary to each other.
- If you are having diabetes, do not take losartan together with any prescription which has aliskiren (a blood pressure drug).
- In extreme cases, the drug could damage the muscle tissue of the skeletal system and cause kidney failure. If you have any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, contact your doctor right away, especially if you are also feeling fatigued, have a fever, or your urine is dark-colored.
Conclusion
The active substance of losartan potassium, which is a critical drug in cardiovascular pharmacotherapy, is used for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. Losartan potassium is an antagonist angiotensin II receptor that not only treats the symptoms but also addresses the underlying mechanisms that cause cardiovascular diseases, providing patients with a multifaceted treatment regimen. Additionally, its ease of use, good safety record, and tolerability has made it a first choice for both healthcare professionals and patients. Nevertheless, such as with any drug, strict analysis of unique patient features and strict compliance with the treatment course are necessary for the best effect with minimal risk. Briefly, losartan potassium is able to help cardiovascular health and the quality of life of millions of people in the world.
