Losartan-Hydrochlorothiazide

Losartan potassium-hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medications -- Cozaar and hydrochlorothiazide -- and is used to lower high blood pressure in adults. This drug allows the blood vessels to relax, which helps lower blood pressure. The medication also reduces the risk of developing health problems (such as a heart attack or stroke) caused by long-term high blood pressure. Losartan-hydrochlorothiazide comes in tablet form and is taken once a day. Potential side effects of this drug include dizziness, cough, and back pain.

Losartan HCTZ

What Is Losartan-Hydrochlorothiazide?

Losartan-hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar^®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults. However, losartan-hydrochlorothiazide is not a cure for high blood pressure. Losartan-hydrochlorothiazide has not been approved for use in children.

Losartan-hydrochlorothiazide is manufactured by Merck & Co.

(Click What Is Losartan-Hydrochlorothiazide Used For? for more information on what losartan-hydrochlorothiazide is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Losartan-hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of two medicines -- Cozaar^® and hydrochlorothiazide. Cozaar is a newer type of blood pressure medicine known as an angiotensin II receptor blocker, or ARB for short. Cozaar blocks angiotensin II receptors, thus decreasing the effectiveness of a chemical known as angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking the effects of angiotensin II, Cozaar causes blood vessels to relax.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, which is commonly referred to as a "water pill." It works by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood. This extra salt and water is passed out through the urine. By increasing the amount of water removed from the blood, hydrochlorothiazide causes a decrease in blood volume.

Because of the effect of both Cozaar and hydrochlorothiazide, losartan-hydrochlorothiazide can lower blood pressure. Because of its combined effects, losartan-hydrochlorothiazide causes a greater drop in blood pressure than when either medicine is used alone.

(Losartan-Hydrochlorothiazide Continued: Page 2)