by Dr. Manura Nanayakkara

Created on: August 21, 2010

Cozaar is an Angiotensin receptor blocker used in hypertension, diabetic kidney damage and heart failure. Its generic name is Losartan. This medication widens the arteries and reduces blood pressure. Some side effects like dry cough is less common in this medication compared to ACE inhibitors like Accupril.

 What are the common side effects?

 Some patients can get dizziness and can have low blood pressure. Lack of energy and strength, vertigo and easy fatigability are common side effects. Gastro intestinal disturbances like nausea and vomiting are also common. This drug is a potent antihypertensive, so patient can get faintishness especially in the first few days of the treatment. So patients are advised to stay in the home at least in the first day.

What are the less common side effects?

Less common side effects are cardiac rhythm abnormalities (atrial fibrillation), headache and dizziness. Few patients may get shortness of breath and muscle/joint pains with this medication.

 What are the rare side effects?

 Chest pain, edema, flatulence, nervousness, depression, sleep problems, blurred vision, impotence and back pain are relatively rare side effects.

 Very few patients can get an allergic reaction to this medication. These include rashes, hives and itchiness. Sometimes it can lead to an anaphylactic shock. This is characterized by wide spread hives, low blood pressure, shortness of breath and pallor. Patient should seek immediate medical help if he/she gets this problem.

What the doctor should know before prescribing?

Before starting this medication, the doctor should know your complete medical history, including over the counter medication patient is on.  Combining this medication with NSAIDs like Motrin can have problems.

This drug is known to cause problems if you have,

* Bilateral renal artery stenosis

* Liver diseases

* Aortic or mitral valve problems

* Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

The doctor may check patient’s potassium levels in the blood before starting Cozaar, because serum potassium levels can go up with this medication.

 If the patient is pregnant or nursing, doctor will not start Cozaar. Taking Cozaar in pregnancy can harm the unborn baby. This drug is present in breast milk in significant amounts, so it should not be used in breast feeding as well.

 What the patient should know before taking?

 This medication should be taken as a whole with a full glass of water and it should not be crushed to minimize side effects. This medication can be taken with or without meals. It should not be shared with others. Patient should not take beverages containing alcohol during the therapy.

  Sources

 British National Formulary

Learn more about this author, Dr. Manura Nanayakkara.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.