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Losartan Side Effects, Precautions & Warnings – NufoNews

Losartan Side Effects – World Health Organization recently released a report in which they mentioned that around 25% of total people suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure do not know that they are suffering from a disease.

Even in the United States, we recorded more than 3 million cases of hypertension or high blood pressure in the year 2021 alone. A few decades back, everyone thought that hypertension or high blood pressure comes with age, but in 2010 and 2020, we are seeing youngsters below the age of 30 also suffering from hypertension and high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a silent killer. It puts too much pressure and workload on the heart and arteries, and if you leave it unattended, it may damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and other diseases. 

Medical science has not found any cure for hypertension or high blood pressure. Doctors use some medication like Losartan or a combination of medicine to maintain blood pressure.

These medicines are not completely safe to use as they have several side effects. Let’s take a look at the side effects of Losartan. Apart from that, we will also talk about the precautions and warnings associated with medicine.

# Side Effects of Losartan

Let’s start with the side effects of Losartan. First, we will discuss the common side effects of Losartan, and later we will also talk about severe side effects and warnings associated with the medicine.

Respiratory infection

Once you start taking Losartan, you might temporarily experience respiratory infections such as the common cold. As per several studies, most people who are going to take medicine are also going to experience respiratory infections.

Usually, the intensity of respiratory infections such as the common cold is on the lower side, but in some cases, it might become severe. At the same time, you might also experience a stuffy nose as the common cold is also known to increase mucus in the sinus.

It is always a wise decision to consult with your doctor rather than taking any medication and mixing it up with Losartan. 

Mixing any medication with Losartan can cause a life-threatening condition and also increase the chances of getting severe side effects.

Losartan Side Effects
Losartan Side Effects

Irregular blood pressure

Apart from respiratory infection, you might also experience irregular blood pressure once you start taking medicine. Usually, our body takes a few days to adjust to the medicine, and during that time, you might also experience high or low blood pressure.

Your blood pressure will get back to normal levels after a few days or a couple of weeks. Kindly do not take any medication along with Losartan to maintain your irregular blood pressure. Always consult with your doctor first.

Dizziness and fatigue

Losartan is also known to cause dizziness and fatigue. Both are also among the common side effects of Losartan. The intensity of dizziness and fatigue is going to be mild to moderate, but most health experts advise everyone who is taking medicine not to operate heavy machinery or drive a car.

You should be very careful for at least six to seven days once you start taking medicine. It might hamper your day-to-day activities, and it will also increase fatigue. You should try to rest as much as possible for at least six to seven days from the day you start taking Losartan.

Digestive issues

Apart from all that, Losartan is also known to cause digestive issues. Several studies and surveys on medicine have already proved that digestive issues such as diarrhea and gas are directly associated with the Losartan.

You do not have to worry about getting diarrhea or gas after taking medicine, as these are common symptoms, and they go away on their own without any extra medication. Even if you want to take medication for digestive issues, you should consult with your doctor first.

Back pain

Under some conditions, Fatigue and digestive issues can also trigger back pain once you start taking Losartan. Fatigue and digestive issues at the same time can put pressure on your back which can trigger temporary back pain. 

Usually, the back pain goes away as soon as it starts feeling better from other side effects of taking Losartan. If back pain or any other side effect is not going away within six to seven days since you start taking medicine, then you should consult with your doctor.

# Precautions of Losartan

Along with the common side effects of taking medicine, there are several precautions and severe side effects of Losartan. You should be very careful of these severe side effects and precautions when you are consuming Losartan.

High potassium

Losartan is known to increase potassium levels in the blood. It can happen anytime, and it is a severe side effect. You should not ignore increasing potassium levels in your blood. And you should consult with your doctor or call 911 and seek medical attention.

The most common symptoms of high potassium in the blood are heart rhythm problems, muscle weakness, and slow heart rate. Even if you are taking medicine, you should keep an eye on blood pressure levels along with your heart rate. 

Allergic reaction

Losartan is not 100% allergy-free medication as it is known to trigger allergic reactions in people who are already allergic to ingredients used in the medicine. In any case, if you are experiencing swelling on your face, lips, tongue, Rash, And difficulty in breathing, you should call 911 and ask for immediate medical attention. These are the classical signs of allergic reactions. 

If you ever have an allergic reaction after taking medicine, then you should not take it again unless you have already consulted with your doctor. Your doctor might change your dosage or medication.

Extremely low blood pressure

In some cases, even a regular dosage of Losartan can cause extremely low blood pressure. Some people are more sensitive to medication than normal people. If you are experiencing dizziness or feeling faint, then you should not take medicine and immediately call your doctor. Feeling faint or dizziness are the classical signs of extremely low blood pressure levels.

Unexplained weight gain

You should be very careful while consuming Losartan as it is known to suppress your metabolism, which can result in unexplained weight gain even if you have not changed your diet or workout schedule. 

Under any circumstances, you should not ignore these precautions or the severe side effects of consuming Losartan. Apart from all that, it could also be a direct effect of kidney problems due to Losartan.

# Warnings of Losartan

Along with precautions and common side effects of Losartan, there are some warnings issued by the Food and Drug administration while approved.

Losartan has the black box warning, and it is the most serious warning from the FDA. It is a prescription drug, and you should never consume it without Keen observation of doctors.

First of all, pregnant women should ignore consuming Losartan. The medication is known to harm the fetus or even become the reason for miscarriage. If you are already pregnant or you are trying to get pregnant, then you should tell your doctor. 

Your doctor will change your medication. Even if you get pregnant during your treatment, you should stop taking this medication right away and consult with your doctor.

Secondly, we cannot ignore that Losartan can cause allergic reactions, and you should be very careful when you are first consuming Losartan. Most health experts suggest everyone consume their first dose while they are at their doctor’s.

Kindly do not mix alcohol with Losartan. Mixing it up with alcohol can cause a subjective effect. Your reflections are going to be slow, and you will have poor judgment. Under that condition, you should not operate heavy machinery and drive your car.

If you are already suffering from kidney disease or liver problems, then you should tell your doctors. In most cases, Losartan is known to worsen the symptoms of kidney disease. Swelling in your hands, speed, and ankles are among the classical signs of kidney problems.

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How can I lower the chances of side effects of Losartan?

First of all, you should never overdose on Losartan if you want to lower the chances of side effects of consuming the medicine. Apart from that, you should also check if you are allergic to any ingredient used in internal medicine. At the same time, you should also make sure that you are not consuming alcohol along with Losartan. If you are suffering from any disease or you are taking any medication, including vitamins, you should tell your doctor.

Can I take medicine to lower the intensity of the side effects of Losartan?

Yes, you can take medicine to lower the intensity of the side effects of Losartan. But, you should never consume any medication without consulting with your doctor along with Losartan. Mixing any wrong medication can cause severe side effects and life-threatening conditions.