TOZAAR 50MG LOSARTAN – 100 TABS

Description

Tozaar contains Losartan 50mg, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, is primarily used as an antihypertensive agent in Kenya by blocking AT1 receptors, which in turn reduces the blood pressure-raising effects of angiotensin II. This medication is beneficial for individuals who experience coughing with other Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It is widely used to manage hypertension, reduce stroke risk in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, and treat diabetic nephropathy. Losartan has also been trialed for heart failure and myocardial infarction management in Kenya.

Administered orally as the potassium salt, losartan reaches its maximum hypotensive effect within three to six weeks of starting the medication. In managing hypertension, the standard dose for Kenyan patients is 50 mg once daily, with potential increases to 100 mg daily if necessary. For patients with fluid depletion or elderly individuals over 75, an initial dose of 25 mg daily is recommended, with similar dose adjustments made for patients with liver or kidney impairment.

In children over six years with hypertension, the initial dose is typically 700 micrograms/kg daily, up to a maximum of 50 mg, with adjustments based on the response. Higher doses, such as those exceeding 1.4 mg/kg or 100 mg daily, have not been studied extensively and should only be administered under close medical supervision in a hospital setting. For diabetic nephropathy, the starting dose of losartan is 50 mg daily, which may be increased to 100 mg depending on blood pressure levels.

Reported side effects of losartan are generally mild and include dizziness, headache, and dose-related orthostatic hypotension. Patients with volume depletion are particularly susceptible to hypotension. Other side effects include impaired kidney function, rash, urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, and elevated liver enzymes. Monitoring serum potassium is essential, especially for elderly patients or those with renal impairment, to prevent hyperkalemia. Losartan is contraindicated in pregnancy due to fetal toxicity risks and should be used with caution in patients with renal artery stenosis.