Qsartan

Losartan is a familiar tablet in Pakistani pharmacies, from bustling shops in Karachi to quieter clinics in Quetta, often used to keep blood pressure in check or support heart health. It’s a straightforward medication that targets a specific hormone to ease strain on the heart and blood vessels. This profile covers its essentials—how it works, its uses, side effects, and what doctors say—based on local standards like those from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC). It’s here to inform, not to suggest taking it without a doctor’s guidance.

Basic Product Details

• Form and Strength: Tablets, typically 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg.
• Packaging: Strips of 10 or 14 tablets, sealed for Pakistan’s humid climate.
• Pricing: Roughly PKR 5-15 per tablet; a 10-tablet strip of 50 mg costs about PKR 50-150, varying by brand or pharmacy. Check Dawaai.pk or local chemists like Fazal Din’s.
• Brands in Pakistan: Cozaar, Losar, or PMDC-approved generics from local labs.

Ingredients

• Active Ingredient: Losartan potassium (an angiotensin II receptor blocker).
• Excipients: May include lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, or magnesium stearate (check packaging for specifics).

Drug Class

Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB).

How It Functions

Losartan blocks angiotensin II, a hormone that tightens blood vessels and triggers aldosterone release, which raises blood pressure. By stopping this hormone from binding to receptors in tissues like blood vessels and adrenal glands, it relaxes arteries and lowers pressure. In Pakistan’s clinics, it’s valued for easing heart and kidney strain, especially in patients with high blood pressure or heart failure.

Common Applications

Per local medical practices, losartan is linked to:

• Managing high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Treating heart failure to reduce heart workload.
• Helping prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney issues in at-risk patients, like those with diabetes.

Dosage Form

Tablet, swallowed whole with water.

Potential Side Effects

Common issues, based on local reports, include:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Joint or back pain.
• Rare allergic reactions like rash or swelling (seek help immediately).

Key Warnings and Precautions

PMDC-aligned guidelines note:

• Kidney/Liver Issues: Use cautiously; monitor function with regular tests.
• Pregnancy: Avoid, especially in second or third trimesters—can harm the fetus.
• Breastfeeding: Limited data; consult a doctor.
• Dehydration: Extra care if vomiting or diarrhea hits, as it can drop blood pressure too low.
• Low Salt/Dialysis: May amplify effects; needs close monitoring.
• Driving: Avoid if dizzy or lightheaded.

Regular blood pressure and kidney function tests are advised.

When It’s Not Suitable (Contraindications)

Avoid if you have:

• Allergy to losartan or similar drugs.
• Severe liver or kidney disease without dose adjustments.
• Pregnancy or planning pregnancy.
• Conditions like excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or low-salt diets without medical supervision.

Drug Interactions

May interact with:

• Aliskiren or ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril), increasing kidney or low blood pressure risks.
• NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), which may reduce losartan’s effect or harm kidneys.
• Potassium supplements or diuretics, raising potassium levels.

In Case of Overdose

Symptoms like severe dizziness or low blood pressure need immediate ER care. Treatment focuses on stabilizing vitals and supporting blood pressure.

Missed Dose

Take a missed dose as soon as remembered, unless it’s close to the next dose. Skip it then, and don’t double up. Check with your doctor if unsure.

Storage and Disposal

Store tablets at room temperature (15-30°C) in a cool, dry place (e.g., a cabinet, not a bathroom), away from light, moisture, and kids. Dispose of expired tablets via pharmacy take-back programs, not by flushing.

Quick Tips

• Take at the same time daily for steady effects.
• Stay hydrated, especially in Pakistan’s heat.
• Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen unless cleared by a doctor.
• Track blood pressure to gauge progress.

Doctor Review

Cardiologists and GPs in Pakistan, from Lahore’s Punjab Institute to Peshawar’s clinics, view losartan as a reliable choice for hypertension and heart failure, easing vascular strain effectively, but they stress kidney checks and caution in pregnancy or dehydration to avoid complications.

Laboratory Screening

To monitor effects and health:

• Blood Tests: Kidney function (creatinine, eGFR), electrolytes (especially potassium), and liver function.
• Blood Pressure Checks: Regular monitoring for control.
• Urine Tests: For kidney health in diabetic patients.

This profile outlines losartan’s role in Pakistan’s healthcare—a clear guide for understanding, not a prompt to use without a doctor’s advice.

Disclaimer: This is product information only, not a prescription or diagnosis. Consult a qualified Pakistani doctor before using losartan to ensure it’s safe. Seek immediate care for severe symptoms like rash or severe dizziness.