What are the risks of taking Cozaar (losartan)?

What should I tell my doctor before starting Cozaar (losartan)?

Tell your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions. Cozaar tablets may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions, such as heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease.

Also, tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have previously had an allergic reaction to this medicine or any of the other ingredients in Cozaar tablets. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients. 

Cozaar is not for women who are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant in the near future, or breastfeed.

What precautions should I take while on Cozaar (losartan)?

• Keep your Cozaar out of reach of children and pets. Do not share your prescription medicine with anyone. 
• Keep all appointments with your healthcare professionals. Your doctor may order blood tests to keep an eye on your kidney function while you’re on Cozaar.
• Cozaar can harm the unborn baby if it is used during pregnancy. Contact your doctor without delay if you become pregnant while on Cozaar. 
• Taking Cozaar can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting if you get up too quickly from a lying position. This problem is more likely to occur when you first start taking the medicine. To prevent this problem, get out of bed slowly and remain seated for a few minutes before standing.
• Diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, and dehydration can drop blood pressure, causing fainting and lightheadedness. Contact your doctor if you develop these symptoms during Cozaar treatment.  
• Call your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you experience symptoms such as swelling of the face, throat, mouth, tongue, lips, hands, lower legs, or feet; chest pain; or difficulty breathing or swallowing. 

What drugs can interact with Cozaar (losartan)?

The list below may not describe all possible drug interactions with lisinopril. Be sure to give your health care provider a complete list of all your medications, including prescription drugs, and over-the-counter products. Also tell them if you smoke, consume alcohol, or use recreational drugs, as they may interact with lisinopril. 

Taking Cozaar with some other medications can affect how well it works. Drug interactions can also increase the risk of serious side effects. Your physician may choose a different blood pressure-lowering medicine for you, change the dose or frequency of one or both medications, or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known drug interactions between Cozaar and any of your other medicines. 

Using Cozaar with a medication called aliskiren (Tekamlo, Tekturna) is not recommended in patients with diabetes. Your doctor will not advise you to take Cozaar with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

There can also be interactions between Cozaar and the following medicines:

This list does not describe all possible Cozaar interactions. Give your health care provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your health care provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with Cozaar.