Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan

When should one not use Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan

• If you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide, losartan, or any of the ingredients of Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan.
• If you are allergic to sulfonamide medicines such as co-trimoxazole. If you are not sure what these medicines are, please confirm with your doctor.
• If you have a low level of potassium and sodium or high levels of calcium in your blood
• If you have serious liver disorders and problems related to the bile duct (a canal connecting the liver to the intestine) like cholestasis.
• If you have anuria (not passing urine or passing urine less than 100ml in a day).
• If you have diabetes or kidney problems and you are taking a medicine containing aliskiren.
• If you are pregnant for more than 3 months.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Abdominal pain
• Indigestion
• Tiredness

Other General Warnings

• You have any kind of pre-existing health condition such as heart-related disorder, diabetes, kidney or liver disorder, skin cancer, gout, an autoimmune disorder like systemic lupus erythematosus, etc.
• You develop symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue due to water retention.
• You experience fainting and dizziness, especially after the first dose.
• You are planning a pregnancy, this medicine will be changed.
• Your kidneys are not functioning correctly or you have underlying kidney disease like renal artery stenosis (Narrow kidney blood vessels).
• You have been experiencing fluid losses within your body due to diarrhoea, vomiting, etc.
• You are suffering from primary aldosteronism (a condition of excess production of the hormone aldosterone from the adrenal glands).
• You have electrolyte imbalance of sodium, magnesium, potassium and have symptoms of dryness of mouth, thirst, drowsiness, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, etc.
• You have galactose intolerance (small intestine's inability to transport and absorb glucose and galactose).
• You develop eye pain and a decrease in vision.

How Does It Work?

• Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan contains a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and losartan as active substances.
• Losartan lowers blood pressure by blocking the action of a substance called angiotensin responsible for the narrowing of blood vessels and hence causing a rise in blood pressure.
• Hydrochlorothiazide acts by increasing the production of urine and the loss of water and salt from the body. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way how Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan works or this medicine itself might affect the working of other medicines.
• Inform your doctor about all the medicines, herbals, or supplements that you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction. Also, you should inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery or vaccination scheduled.
• Especially, if you are on certain medications like blood thinners (warfarin or heparin), anti-cancer medicines, medicines used to treat high cholesterol such as cholestyramine, antidepressants like lithium, potassium supplements or medicines containing potassium, other antihypertensives like water pills (furosemide), medicines for heart-related disorders like digoxin, etc.
• If you have diabetes, do not take aliskiren along with this medicine.
• Steroidal medicines if taken along with this medicine can lead to salt imbalances particularly reduced potassium levels.
• Concomitant use of Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan and painkillers should be avoided as it may impair kidney functions.
• Other medicines that should be used with caution are antibacterial medicines such as trimethoprim, corticosteroids used to treat the inflamed area of body parts, etc.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

• Symptoms of an overdose of Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan may include low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, dizziness, excessive urination, nausea, and vomiting.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

• It would be best if you never miss a dose of your blood pressure medicine as it may lead to fluctuations in your blood pressure levels.
• However, if you have missed taking any dose of Hydrochlorothiazide+Losartan, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of this medicine to compensate for the missed one