Losartan Potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP

Other adverse experiences that have been reported with losartan, without regard to causality, are listed below:

Body as a Whole: Chest pain, facial edema, fever, orthostatic effects, syncope;

Cardiovascular: Angina pectoris, arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, sinus bradycardia, tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, CVA, hypotension, myocardial infarction, second degree AV block;

Digestive: Anorexia, constipation, dental pain, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, vomiting;

General disorders and administration site conditions: malaise

Hematologic: Anemia;

Metabolic: Gout;

Musculoskeletal: Arm pain, arthralgia, arthritis, fibromyalgia, hip pain, joint swelling, knee pain, leg pain, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, musculoskeletal pain, myalgia, shoulder pain, stiffness;

Nervous System/Psychiatric: Anxiety, anxiety disorder, ataxia, confusion, depression, dream abnormality, hypesthesia, insomnia, libido decreased, memory impairment, migraine, nervousness, panic disorder, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, sleep disorder, somnolence, tremor, vertigo;

Respiratory: Dyspnea, epistaxis, nasal congestion, pharyngeal discomfort, respiratory congestion, rhinitis, sinus disorder;

Skin: Alopecia, dermatitis, dry skin, ecchymosis, erythema, flushing, photosensitivity, pruritus, sweating, urticaria;

Special Senses: Blurred vision, burning/stinging in the eye, conjunctivitis, decrease in visual acuity, taste perversion, tinnitus;

Urogenital: Impotence, nocturia, urinary frequency, urinary tract infection.

Hydrochlorothiazide:

Other adverse experiences that have been reported with hydrochlorothiazide, without regard to causality, are listed below:

Body as a Whole: Weakness;

Digestive: Pancreatitis, jaundice (intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice), sialadenitis, cramping, gastric irritation;

Hematologic: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia;

Hypersensitivity: Purpura, photosensitivity, urticaria, necrotizing angiitis (vasculitis and cutaneous vasculitis), fever, respiratory distress including pneumonitis and pulmonary edema;

Metabolic: Hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hyperuricemia;

Musculoskeletal: Muscle spasm;

Nervous System/Psychiatric: Restlessness;

Renal: Renal failure, renal dysfunction, interstitial nephritis;

Skin: Erythema multiforme including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis including toxic epidermal necrolysis;

Special Senses: Transient blurred vision, xanthopsia.

Persistent dry cough (with an incidence of a few percent) has been associated with ACE-inhibitor use and in practice can be a cause of discontinuation of ACE-inhibitor therapy. Two prospective, parallel-group, double-blind, randomized, controlled trials were conducted to assess the effects of losartan on the incidence of cough in hypertensive patients who had experienced cough while receiving ACE-inhibitor therapy. Patients who had typical ACE-inhibitor cough when challenged with lisinopril, whose cough disappeared on placebo, were randomized to losartan 50 mg, lisinopril 20 mg, or either placebo (one study, n=97) or 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide (n=135). The double-blind treatment period lasted up to 8 weeks. The incidence of cough is shown below.

Study 1^†                  HCTZ               Losartan             Lisinopril

Cough                       25%                     17%                  69%

Study 2^††                Placebo              Losartan             Lisinopril

Cough                       35%                      29%                   62%

^† Demographics = (89% caucasian, 64% female)

^†† Demographics = (90% caucasian, 51% female)

These studies demonstrate that the incidence of cough associated with losartan therapy, in a population that all had cough associated with ACE-inhibitor therapy, is similar to that associated with hydrochlorothiazide or placebo therapy.

Cases of cough, including positive re-challenges, have been reported with the use of losartan in post-marketing experience.

In a clinical study in patients with severe hypertension (SiDBP ≥110 mmHg), the overall pattern of adverse events reported through six weeks of follow-up was similar in patients treated with losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets as initial therapy and in patients treated with losartan as initial therapy. There were no reported cases of syncope in either treatment group. There were 2 (0.6%) and 0 (0.0%) cases of hypotension reported in the group treated with losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and the group treated with losartan, respectively. There were 3 (0.8%) and 2 (1.2%) cases of increased serum creatinine (>0.5 mg/dL) in the group treated with losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and the group treated with losartan, respectively, during the same time period (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Effects, Severe Hypertension).

The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in post-marketing experience:

Digestive: Hepatitis has been reported rarely in patients treated with losartan.

Hemic: Thrombocytopenia.

Hypersensitivity: Angioedema, including swelling of the larynx and glottis, causing airway obstruction and/or swelling of the face, lips, pharynx, and/or tongue 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-Schonlein purpura, has been reported with losartan. Anaphylactic reactions have been reported.

Metabolic and Nutrition: Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia have been reported with losartan.

Musculoskeletal: Rare cases of rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients receiving angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Respiratory: Dry cough (see above) has been reported with losartan.

Skin: Erythroderma has been reported with losartan.

Laboratory Test Findings:

In controlled clinical trials, clinically important changes in standard laboratory parameters were rarely associated with administration of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen:

Minor increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine were observed in 0.6 and 0.8 percent, respectively, of patients with essential hypertension treated with losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets alone. No patient discontinued taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets due to increased BUN. One patient discontinued taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets due to a minor increase in serum creatinine.

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit:

Small decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit (mean decreases of approximately 0.14 grams percent and 0.72 volume percent, respectively) occurred frequently in patients treated with losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets alone, but were rarely of clinical importance. No patients were discontinued due to anemia.

Liver Function Tests:

Occasional elevations of liver enzymes and/or serum bilirubin have occurred. In patients with essential hypertension treated with losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets alone, no patients were discontinued due to these laboratory adverse experiences.

Serum Electrolytes:

See PRECAUTIONS.

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Keep container tightly closed. Protect from light.

Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container.

Read the Patient Information that comes with losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets before you start taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your condition and treatment.

What is the most important information I should know about losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets?

Do not take losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets can harm your unborn baby causing injury and even death. Stop taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets if you become pregnant and call your doctor right away. If you plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other treatment options before taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablet contains 2 prescription medicines, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) and a diuretic (water pill). It is used to:

• lower high blood pressure (hypertension). Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets are not usually the first medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
• lower the chance of stroke in patients with high blood pressure and a heart problem called left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets may not help Black patients with this problem.

Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets have not been studied in children less than 18 years old.

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) Blood pressure is the force in your blood vessels when your heart beats and when your heart rests. You have high blood pressure when the force is too much. The losartan ingredient in losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablet can help your blood vessels relax so your blood pressure is lower. The hydrochlorothiazide ingredient in losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablet works by making your kidneys pass more water and salt.

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) is an enlargement of the walls of the left chamber of the heart (the heart’s main pumping chamber). LVH can happen from several things. High blood pressure is the most common cause of LVH.

Do not take losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets if you:

• are allergic to any ingredients in losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets. See a complete list of Ingredients in losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets at the end of this leaflet.
• are   allergic   to   any   sulfonamide-containing ("sulfa") medicines. Ask your doctor if you are not sure what sulfonamide-containing ("sulfa") medicines are.
• are not passing urine

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you:

• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. See "What is the most important information I should know about losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets?"
• are breast-feeding   or  plan  to  breast-feed. Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide can pass into your milk and may harm your baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will take losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets or breast-feed.  You should not do both.
• have been   vomiting   (throwing   up),   having diarrhea, sweating a lot, or not drinking enough fluids. These could cause you to have low blood pressure.
• have liver problems
• have kidney problems
• have systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus; SLE)
• have diabetes
• have asthma
• have gout
• have any allergies

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and     non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and certain other medicines may interact with each other. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking:

• potassium supplements
• salt substitutes containing potassium
• water pills ( diuretics)
• lithium (a medicine used to treat a certain kind of depression)
• medicines used to treat pain and arthritis, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including COX-2 inhibitors.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of your medicines and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

How should I take losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets??

• Take losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may change your dose if needed.
• Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets can be taken with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time.
• If you take too much losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, call your doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
• Your doctor may do blood tests from time to time while you are taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets may cause the following side effects that may be serious:

• injury or death of unborn babies. See "What is the most important information I should know about losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets?"
• allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue. Get emergency medical help right away and stop taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
• low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure may cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Lie down if you feel faint or dizzy. Call your doctor right away.
• a new or worsening condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus; SLE)
• if you have kidney problems, you may see a worsening in how well your kidneys work. Call your doctor if you get swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands, or unexplained weight gain.
• If you have liver problems, you may see a worsening in how well your liver works. Call your doctor if you get nausea, pain in the right upper stomach area (abdomen), yellow eyes or skin (which can be itchy).

The most common side effects of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in people with high blood pressure are:

• "colds" (upper respiratory infection)
• dizziness
• stuffy nose
• back pain
• fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
• rash

Tell your doctor if you get any side effect that bothers you or that won’t go away. This is not a complete list of side effects. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• Store losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets at room temperature at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
• Keep losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in a tightly closed container, and keep losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets out of the light.
• Keep losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General information about losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.

This leaflet summarizes the most important information about losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information that is written for health professionals.