Brand Names: Cozaar

Generic Name: losartan (Pronunciation: loe SAR tan)

• What is losartan (Cozaar)?
• What are the possible side effects of losartan (Cozaar)?
• What is the most important information I should know about losartan (Cozaar)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking losartan (Cozaar)?
• How should I take losartan (Cozaar)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Cozaar)?
• What happens if I overdose (Cozaar)?
• What should I avoid while taking losartan (Cozaar)?
• What other drugs will affect losartan (Cozaar)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is losartan (Cozaar)?

Losartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Losartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to lower the risk of stroke in certain people with heart disease.

Losartan is used to slow long-term kidney damage in people with type 2 diabetes who also have high blood pressure.

Losartan may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cozaar 100 mg

egg, white, imprinted with 960

Cozaar 25 mg

oval, white, imprinted with 951

Cozaar 50 mg

oval, white, imprinted with 952

Losartan 100 mg-ROX

round, green, imprinted with 54 357

Losartan 100 mg-TEV

oblong, green, imprinted with 93, 7366

Losartan 25 mg-ROX

round, green, imprinted with 54 277

Losartan 25 mg-TEV

oblong, green, imprinted with 93, 7364

Losartan 50 mg-ROX

round, green, imprinted with 54 125

Losartan 50 mg-TEV

oblong, green, imprinted with 93, 7365

What are the possible side effects of losartan (Cozaar)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

In rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• feeling like you might pass out;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating;
• wheezing, chest pain; or
• irregular heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• cold or flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever;
• dry cough;
• muscle cramps;
• pain in your legs or back;
• stomach pain, diarrhea;
• headache, dizziness;
• tired feeling; or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Cozaar (losartan potassium) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about losartan (Cozaar)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to losartan.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of losartan.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking losartan, unless your doctor has told you to.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

In rare cases, losartan can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Call your doctor right away if you have muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness especially if you also have fever, nausea or vomiting, and dark colored urine.