Losartan

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The active ingredient losartan (usually used in the form of its salt "losartan potassium") is one of the most important remedies for high blood pressure. It was approved in the US in 1995 and is now included in numerous drugs. As a relatively young drug, like other drugs, it can effectively lower blood pressure - and that with better tolerance. Pregnant women should only take drugs containing losartan after consulting their doctor. Here you can read everything you need to know about losartan.

This is how losartan works

The body has a sophisticated system for regulating blood pressure. If more energy is required, the blood pressure is automatically increased, while it is regulated downwards during periods of rest.

If this system is disturbed, it can lead to high blood pressure. Those affected usually do not notice it, and the high blood pressure gradually worsens. The small vessels in particular, such as those found in the eye and kidney, are damaged by the constantly increased pressure. If high blood pressure remains undetected and untreated for a long time, it can have dire consequences such as loss of vision and kidney dysfunction.

To prevent such secondary damage, blood pressure must be normalized. Sometimes all that is needed is weight loss and more exercise and sport. In other cases, however, antihypertensive drugs must also be taken.

Losartan is one of these drugs. As a representative from the group of so-called AT1 inhibitors, losartan blocks the docking points of the messenger substance angiotensin II on the vessel walls. As a result of the blockage, the vasoconstricting effect of the messenger substance is no longer transmitted. The vessels in the blood system widen and blood pressure slowly falls. Thus, blood pressure can be effectively normalized.

Losartan uptake, breakdown and excretion

After ingestion through the mouth (orally), the active ingredient is only partially absorbed from the intestine into the blood. After its distribution in the organism, it is then broken down in the liver. Among other things, this creates a breakdown product that still has an antihypertensive effect. However, the effects of losartan only last about 12 hours. The breakdown products are excreted via the kidneys.

When is losartan used?

The areas of application (indications) for Losartan include:

• high blood pressure

This is how losartan is used

The active ingredient is usually used in the form of tablets. Due to the rapid breakdown in the body, it may be necessary to take losartan twice a day. This ensures an even effect. Often, however, a once-a-day dose is sufficient.

The usual dosage is between 12.5 and 100 milligrams per day. Children, adolescents and patients with kidney problems receive a reduced dose.

What are the side effects of losartan?

Losartan often causes side effects such as dizziness, tiredness and circulatory problems, i.e. in one to ten percent of those treated.

Occasionally (in less than one percent of those treated), gastrointestinal complaints and heart palpitations occur as a result of ingestion.

The side effects can be limited very well with close monitoring of the therapy by the doctor.

What should be considered when taking losartan?

Pregnant women in the second and third trimester of their pregnancy, as well as people with severe liver dysfunction, must not take drugs containing losartan.

Interactions

Taking losartan at the same time as other medications can cause interactions. The following drugs increase the antihypertensive effect of losartan:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline or imipramine)

Certain pain relievers (such as ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid) reduce the effect of losartan.

This interaction is particularly important in patients with impaired renal function. If taken at the same time, kidney function may deteriorate further.

Driving and using machines

Since dizziness and circulatory problems can occur after ingestion, attention should be paid to the individual's ability to react, especially at the beginning of treatment. The best thing to do is to decide together with the doctor whether you can actively participate in road traffic or operate heavy machinery.

Age restrictions

The active ingredient can be used in children from the age of six. You will be given a reduced dose adapted to your body weight.

pregnancy and breast feeding period

The active ingredient must not be taken in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, as it has in the past had a harmful effect on the unborn child in some cases.

In the first trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding, the active ingredient should only be used after a strict medical benefit-risk assessment. As an alternative, tried and tested antihypertensive drugs are available, such as alpha-methyldopa or metoprolol.

How to get Losartan medicines

Losartan medicines require a prescription because high blood pressure requires regular medical check-ups. You can therefore only get them with a prescription from the doctor in the pharmacy.

Since when is losartan known?

In 1995 the active ingredient losartan was approved in the USA as an anti-high blood pressure agent. He was the first representative of the so-called AT1 inhibitors. Losartan works just as well against high blood pressure as the popular ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, ramipril, lisinopril). As a common side effect, however, these trigger dry coughs, which is not the case with losartan.

What else you should know about losartan

Originally, patients only paid between five and ten euros for drugs containing losartan. Since July 2014, however, new contracts have been in force between the health insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, more and more patients have had to switch to other active ingredients because the self-contribution for their medication has increased enormously. This also applies to the AT1 inhibitors, because the health insurance companies do not see any particular additional benefit in them. That is why they have extremely reduced the fixed price that they pay per pack. However, the pharmaceutical industry has not adjusted its selling price accordingly. The difference to the selling price of the drugs with losartan is borne by the patient himself.

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