HYZAAR

Who is Hyzaar for ?

The combination of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

This combination medication contains losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (or ARB), and hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. The losartan component helps lower blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II, a hormone in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict or narrow. This narrowing of blood vessels due to angiotensin II hormone is an important component of high blood pressure. Blocking the hormone causes vessels to relax or dilate, and thus losartan helps reduce blood pressure. The hydrochlorothiazide component causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

When should I be careful taking Hyzaar ?

Do not take losartan and hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, call your doctor immediately.

Before taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to losartan, hydrochlorothiazide, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin, or Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), barbiturates (phenobarbital), corticosteroids (prednisone), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), diuretics ("water pills"), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for diabetes, other medications for high blood pressure, potassium supplements, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. If you are also taking cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite) or colestipol (Colestid), take it at least 1 hour after losartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had gout; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); asthma; thyroid, liver, heart, or kidney disease; or diabetes.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how losartan and hydrochlorothiazide will affect you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Side Effects

Although side effects from losartan and hydrochlorothiazide are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• cough
• stomach pain
• muscle aches
• dizziness
• congestion
• thirst
• hair loss

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• fainting
• rash
• sore throat with fever
• unusual bleeding or bruising