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Generic Cozaar tablets contain the active ingredient losartan potassium, which is a type of medicine called an angiotensin II antagonist. It works by preventing the action of a hormone in the body called angiotensin II.

Generic Cozaar has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have high blood pressure together with an enlargement in the left side of their heart (left ventricular hypertrophy). People with both these conditions may therefore be prescribed Cozaar to reduce their chances of experiencing a stroke. However, this medicine is not effective for this particular use in black patients.
Generic Cozaar has also been shown to delay the progression of kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes who have related kidney complications. If you have diabetic kidney disease you may be prescribed Generic Cozaar (Lorastan) for this reason, regardless of whether or not you also have high blood pressure.

Active Ingredients: losartan potassium.
Other Ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose hydrous, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, D&C yellow No. 10 aluminum lake and FD&C blue No. 2 aluminum lake.
Class and Mechanism: Cozaar is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Other ARBs include irbesartan (Avapro), valsartan (Diovan), and candesartan (Atacand). Angiotensin, formed in the blood by the action of angiotensi converting enzyme (ACE) is a powerful chemical that attaches to angiotensin receptors found in many tissues but primarily on smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. Angiotensin’s attachment to the receptors causes the blood vessels to narrow (vasoconstrict) which leads to an increase in blood pressure (hypertension). Cozaar (more specifically, the chemical formed when the liver converts the inactive Cozaar into an active chemical) blocks the angiotensin receptor. By blocking the action of angiotensin, Cozaar dilates blood vessels and thereby reduces blood pressure. Cozaar was approved by the FDA in April, 1995.

Keep out of the reach of children; store away from heat and direct light. Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This medicine can raise your potassium levels, which rarely can cause serious side effects such as muscle weakness or very slow heartbeats. Tell your doctor immediately if these effects occur. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 3 to 6 weeks before the full benefit of this drug occurs. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Generic Cozaar may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Cozaar.
If OVERDOSE: Immediately telephone your doctor or National Poisons or go to accident and emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Cozaar. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. If you take too many tablets, you will probably feel light-headed or dizzy.
The most likely manifestation of overdosage would be hypotension and tachycardia; bradycardia could occur from parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation. If symptomatic hypotension should occur, supportive treatment should be instituted. Neither Cozaar nor its active metabolite can be removed by hemodialysis.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablet(s) as you would normally. If you are not sure whether to skip the dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. If you have trouble remembering to take your tablets, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

• Generic Cozaar is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to any component of these products. Because of the hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) component, Cozaar is also contraindicated in patients with anuria or hypersensitivity to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.
• In patients who are volume-depleted, symptomatic hypotension may occur after initiation of therapy with Generic Cozaar. This condition should be corrected prior to administration of Generic Cozaar, or a dosage of Cozaar 25 mg should be used. In patients with a history of hepatic impairment, a starting dose of Cozaar 25 mg should be used.
• Generic Cozaar is not recommended for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance <30 mL/min). Generic Cozaar is not recommended as a means of titration for patients with hepatic impairment because the 25-mg starting dose of Cozaar cannot be given.
• Angioedema, which may cause airway obstruction, has been reported rarely in patients treated with losartan; some of these patients previously experienced angioedema with other drugs including ACE inhibitors. Vasculitis, including Henoch-Schönlein purpura, has been reported with losartan. Anaphylactic reactions have been reported.

FOR WOMEN: Drugs such as Cozaar can cause injury or even death to the unborn child when used in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Stop taking Cozaar as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor before taking Cozaar. Cozaar may appear in breast milk and could affect the nursing infant. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop breastfeeding while you are taking Generic Cozaar (Losartan).

In clinical studies the overall incidence of side effects was similar to placebo. Side effects reported included diarrhea, muscle cramps, dizziness, insomnia, and nasal congestion. Generic Cozaar (Losartan) also may cause a persistent cough, increase serum potassium, and angioedema. Losartan may reduce kidney function in some patients and should not be used by patients who have bilateral renal artery stenosis (narrowing of both arteries going to the kidneys). Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) have been reported.

Inhibitors of cytochrome P450 enzymes such as fluconazole (Diflucan) reduced the formation of the active drug metabolite in laboratory studies. Therefore, caution should be used when adding losartan in a patient taking Nizoral, as reduced activity of losartan may occur.
Losartan may increase levels of blood potassium which can lead to serious heart problems (arrhythmias). Therefore, concomitant use of other substances that increase blood—such as potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., spironolactone, triamterene, and amiloride), potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium--may lead to dangerous increases in serum potassium.
The antihypertensive effect of losartan may be reduced by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (e.g., indomethacin, ibuprofen, aspirin , and naproxen).

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.