Losartan – a tablet for high blood pressure 

Losartan – a tablet for high blood pressure

It is useful in CKD patients, as it protect the kidneys – especially in people with diabetes.#

What is Losartan?

• Losartan belongs to a group of medicines called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
• They are used to treat high blood pressure and protect the heart and kidneys.

How it Works

• Losartan works by blocking the action of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to tighten
• By blocking this hormone, losartan allows blood vessels to relax and widen; which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood

Uses

Losartan is used for:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• CKD. It protect the kidneys, especially in people with diabetes
• Reducing the risk of stroke in some patients with high blood pressure
• Certain heart conditions, such as heart failure

Dosage

• Losartan is taken once daily
• Doses range from 12.5 mg to 100 mg per day, depending on the condition being treated and how the patient responds; 25 mg once day is a good starting dose

Side-effects

Most people tolerate losartan well. Possible side-effects include:

• Dizziness or light-headedness (especially when starting treatment)
• Low blood pressure
• High potassium levels
• Tiredness

Note. Rarely, it can worsen kidney function – especially in patients with CKD due to renovascular disease (RVD).

Monitoring

Doctors should regularly check:

• Blood pressure
• Kidney function – creatinine and GFR blood tests
• Potassium levels

Monitoring helps ensure the medicine is working safely and effectively.