Losartan Potassium And Hydrochlorothiazide 50 Mg/12.5 Mg Film-Coated Tablets
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Package leaflet: Information for the user
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg Film-coated Tablets (Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.See section 4
What is in this leaflet
1. What Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
3. How to take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1.
What Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide is and what it is used
for
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (losartan) and a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). Angiotensin II is a substance produced in the body which binds to receptors in blood vessels, causing them to tighten. This results in an increase in blood pressure. Losartan prevents the binding of angiotensin II to these receptors, causing the blood vessels to relax which in turn lowers the blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide works by making the kidneys pass more water and salt. This also helps to reduce blood pressure.
Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide is indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension (high blood pressure).
2. What you need to know before you take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
Do not take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
• if you are allergic to losartan, hydrochlorothiazide or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you are allergic to other sulfonamide-derived substances (e. g. other thiazides, some antibacterial drugs such as co-trimoxazole, ask your doctor if you are not sure)
• if you have severely impaired liver function
• if you have low potassium, low sodium or high calcium levels which cannot be corrected by treatment
• if you are suffering from gout
• if you are more than 3 months pregnant. (It is also better to avoid Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide in early pregnancy - see Pregnancy section)
• if you have severely impaired kidney function or your kidneys are not producing any urine.
• if you have diabetes or impaired kidney function and are taking a medicine called aliskiren to reduce blood pressure.
Warnings and precautions
You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended in early pregnancy, and must not be taken if you are more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used at that stage (see pregnancy section).
It is important to tell your doctor before taking Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
• if you have previously suffered from swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue
• if you take diuretics (water pills)
• if you are on a salt-restricted diet
• if you have or have had severe vomiting and/or diarrhoea
• if you have heart failure
• if your liver function is impaired (see section 2 “Do not take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide”)
• if you have narrow arteries to your kidneys (renal artery stenosis) or only have one functioning kidney, or you have recently had a kidney transplant
• if you have narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), angina pectoris (chest pain due to poor heart function)
• if you have ‘aortic or mitral valve stenosis’ (narrowing of the valves of the heart) or ‘hypertrophic cardiomyopathy’ (a disease causing thickening of heart muscle)
• if you are diabetic
• if you have had gout
• if you have or have had an allergic condition, asthma or a condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever (systemic lupus erythematosus).
• if you have high calcium or low potassium levels or you are on a low potassium diet
• if you need to have an anaesthetic (even at the dentist) or before surgery, or if you are going to have tests to check your parathyroid function, you must tell the doctor or medical staff that you are taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
• if you suffer from primary hyperaldosteronism (a syndrome associated with increased secretion of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal gland, caused by an abnormality within the gland).
• if you are taking a medicine called aliskiren to reduce blood pressure.
Children and adolescents
There is no experience with the use of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide in children. Therefore, Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to children.
Other medicines and Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Diuretic agents such as the hydrochlorothiazide contained in Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other medicines.
Preparations containing lithium should not be taken with Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide without close supervision by your doctor.
Special precautionary measures (e.g. blood tests) may be appropriate if you take potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes or potassium-sparing medicines, other diuretics (“water tablets”), some laxatives, glycyrrhizin (found in liquorice), medicines for the treatment of gout, medicines to control heart rhythm or for diabetes (oral agents or insulins).
It is also important for your doctor to know if you are taking:
• other medicines to reduce your blood pressure
• steroids
• medicines to treat cancer
• pain killers
• drugs for treatment of fungal infections
• arthritis medicines
• resins used for high cholesterol, such as cholestyramine
• medicines which relax your muscles
• sleeping tablets
• opioid medicines such as morphine
• ‘pressor amines’ such as adrenaline or other drugs from the same group;
• oral agents for diabetes or insulins.
Please also inform your doctor if you are taking Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide and you will be undergoing a radiographic procedure and will be given iodine contrast media.
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide with food,drink and alcohol
You are advised not to drink alcohol whilst taking these tablets: alcohol and Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets may increase each other’s effects.
Dietary salt in excessive quantities may counteract the effect of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets may be taken with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding Pregnancy
You must tell your doctor if you think you are (or might become) pregnant. Your doctor will normally advise you to stop taking Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide before you become pregnant or as soon as you know you are pregnant and will advise you to take another medicine instead of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide. Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during pregnancy, and must not be taken when more than 3 months pregnant, as it may cause serious harm to your baby if used after the third month of pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding, and your doctor may choose another treatment for you if you wish to breast-feed.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Use in older people
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide works equally well in and is equally well tolerated by most older and younger adult patients. Most older patients require the same dose as younger patients.
Driving and using machines
When you begin treatment with this medication, you should not perform tasks which may require special attention (for example, driving an automobile or operating dangerous machinery) until you know how you tolerate your medicine.
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide contains lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Your doctor will decide on the appropriate dose of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide depending on your condition and whether you are taking other medicines. It is important to continue taking Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide for as long as your doctor prescribes it in order to maintain smooth control of your blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure
The recommended dose of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide for most patients with high blood pressure is 1 tablet of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg per day to control blood pressure over the 24-hour period. This can be increased to 2 tablets once daily of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets or changed to 1 tablet daily of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 100 mg/25 mg film-coated tablets (a stronger strength) per day. The maximum daily dose is 2 tablets per day of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets or 1 tablet daily of Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 100 mg/25 mg film-coated tablets.
If you take more Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide than you should
In case of an overdose, contact your doctor immediately so that medical attention may be given promptly. Overdose can cause a drop in blood pressure, palpitations, slow pulse, changes in blood composition, and dehydration.
If you forget to take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide
Try to take Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide daily as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose, do not take an extra dose. Just resume your usual schedule.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department of your nearest hospital:
• A severe rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat that may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing) (anaphylactic reaction).
• A severe uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) skin reaction associated with painful red areas, large blisters, peeling of layers of skin. This is accompanied by fevers and chills, aching muscles and generally feeling unwell (toxic epidermal necrolysis).
The following side effects have been reported: Common (may affect up to 1 in 10people):
• Cough, upper airway infection, congestion in the nose, sinusitis, sinus disorder,
• Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, indigestion
• Muscle pain or cramps, leg pain, back pain
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia), headache, dizziness
• Weakness, tiredness, chest pain
• Increased potassium levels (which can cause an abnormal heart rhythm), decreased haemoglobin levels
• Changes in kidney function including kidney failure.
• Too low sugar in the blood (hypoglycaemia)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100people):
• Anaemia, red or brownish spots on the skin (sometimes especially on the feet, legs, arms and buttocks, with joint pain, swelling of the hands and feet and stomach pain), bruising, destruction of red blood cells (haemolysis), reduction in white blood cells, reduced number of platelets
• Loss of appetite, increased uric acid levels or frank gout, increased blood sugar levels, abnormal blood electrolyte levels
• Anxiety, nervousness, panic disorder (recurring panic attacks), confusion, depression, abnormal dreams, sleep disorders, sleepiness, memory impairment
• Pins and needles sensation, numbness or weakness of the arms and legs, tremor, migraine, fainting
• Blurred vision, burning or stinging in the eyes, conjunctivitis, worsening eyesight, seeing things in yellow
• Ringing, buzzing, roaring or clicking in the ears, dizziness and spinning sensation (vertigo)
• Low blood pressure, which may be associated with changes in posture (feeling light-headed or weak when you stand up), angina (chest pain), abnormal heartbeat, cerebrovascular accident (TIA, “mini-stroke”), heart attack, palpitations, changes in the rhythm or rate of the heart beat (arrhythmias)
• Inflammation of blood vessels, which is often associated with a skin rash or bruising
• Sore throat and discomfort when swallowing (pharyngitis), swelling and irritation of the voice box associated with loss of voice (laryngitis), breathlessness, bronchitis, swelling of the lungs (pneumonitis) , water on the lungs (which causes difficulty breathing), nosebleed, runny nose, congestion
• Constipation, severe constipation (obstipation), wind, swelling and inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), stomach upsets, stomach spasms, vomiting, dry mouth, inflammation of a salivary gland, toothache
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), inflammation of the pancreas.
• Hives, itching, inflammation of the skin, rash, redness of the skin, sensitivity to light, dry skin, flushing, sweating, hair loss
• Pain in the arms, shoulders, hips, knees or other joints, joint swelling, stiffness, muscle weakness or cramps
• Frequent urination including at night, abnormal kidney function including inflammation of the kidneys, urinary tract infection, sugar in the urine, kidney failure
• Decreased sexual appetite, impotence
• Swelling of the face, localised swelling (oedema), fever
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000people):
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), abnormal liver function tests
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
• Flu-like symptoms
• Unexplained muscle pain with dark (tea-colored) urine (rhabdomyolysis)
• Low levels of sodium in the blood (hyponatraemia)
• Generally feeling unwell (malaise)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist . This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton, blister and bottle after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide film-coated tablets contain
The active substances are losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide
Each tablet contains 50 mg of losartan potassium and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide.
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg contains the following other ingredients: cellulose microcrystalline, lactose monohydrate, starch pregelatinized (maize), magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose and titanium dioxide.
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg also contains: Hypromellose 6cP, Quinoline yellow (E104) and Carnauba wax (E903).
What Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide film-coated tablets look like and contents of the pack
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg is supplied as yellow, oval, biconvex film-coated tablets, debossed with ‘M’ on one side of the tablet and ‘LH4’ on the other side.
Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide film-coated tablets are supplied in white, opaque blisters in pack sizes of 7, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 56, 60, 84, 90, 98, 100, 112, 280 and 500 tablets, calendar pack of 28 tablets and in white, opaque plasticbottles in pack sizes of 100 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Jenson Pharmaceutical Service Limited, Carradine House, 237 Regents Park Road, London, N3 3LF
Manufacturers:
Gerard Laboratories, 35/36 Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Grange Road, Dublin 13, Ireland. Generics [UK] Ltd, Station Close, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 1TL, United Kingdom.
Mylan Hungary Kft., H-2900, Komarom, Mylan utca 1, Hungary. This leaflet was last revised in02/2014.
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