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HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE+ LOSARTAN, hyzaar
What is the med used for?
Hydrochlorothiazide + losartan (Hyzaar) is a medication prescribed by your doctor to treat high blood pressure. Your doctor could also prescribe Hyzaar to reduce the chance of stroke in patients with certain heart diseases. Want to know more about the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure? Ask US Pharmacist today!
What class of med is this med?
Hyzaar belongs to a group of medications called angiotensin II inhibitors with a thiazide diuretic. Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, works by helping your body get rid of excess fluid while losartan works by relaxing your blood vessels. Together, they lower blood pressure.
What does it contain, both active and inactive constituents?
The active ingredients are losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide which help lower blood pressure. The inactive ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, lactose hydrous, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide. The inactive ingredients facilitate Hyzaar’s absorption and ability to perform its function in your body.
Why am I taking the med?
Your doctor may have prescribed Hyzaar because your blood pressure is too high and to minimize the risk of a stroke, heart disease, or kidney disease by stabilizing your blood pressure. If you are unsure why you were prescribed Hyzaar, AskUS Pharmacist today!
How do I know if the med is working for my condition?
If Hyzaar works for you, the symptoms of your condition like early morning headaches, nosebleeds, irregular heart rhythm, vision changes, or buzzing in the ears, should resolve after taking Hyzaar regularly. The symptoms of severe hypertension, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, confusion, anxiety, chest pain, and muscle tremors, should also begin to resolve once you take your Hyzaar regularly. If you notice that any of your symptoms are getting worse as you take Hyzaar, call your doctor immediately so it can be removed from your regimen.
What is the dose, how do I take it and what do I take it with?
The dose of Hyzaar prescribed by your doctor depends on what you are being treated for. Hyzaar is available as 50mg of losartan potassium and 12.5mg of hydrochlorothiazide, 100mg of losartan potassium and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide, and 100mg losartan potassium and 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide. The starting dose for treating hypertension is 50mg losartan/12.5mg hydrochlorothiazide, 100mg losartan/12.5 hydrochlorothiazide, or 100mg losartan/25mg hydrochlorothiazide orally once daily. Based on your blood pressure response, the dose can be adjusted. You can take Hyzaar with or without food.
Could the med be replaced or like other meds I am currently on?
Yes, Hyzaar could have been prescribed to replace other antihypertensive medications if the previous regimen did not improve your signs and symptoms.
What food or drinks does the meds interfere with or affect my med?
Avoid the intake of alcohol and some alcohol-containing over-the-counter (OTC) products or supplements (that contain potassium). Avoid food rich in potassium such as bananas, soybeans, oranges, and grapefruit juice. All of the above interferes with Hyzaar and could decrease the concentration of losartan in your body and cause your blood pressure to stay high.
What other meds interfere or affect the med?
Hyzaar interacts with many medications. For example, the combination of Hyzaar with other blood pressure medications (for example, lisinopril) can result in a significant reduction in blood pressure. The combination of Hyzaar with other heart or blood pressure medications including aliskiren can result in a significant reduction in blood pressure, an increase in potassium levels, and damaged kidney function. Most over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn), aspirin, and diclofenac (Voltaren) interact with Hyzaar and can result in kidney damage. What OTC medications can I take with Hyzaar? AskUSPharmacist today!
Can natural products/herbal products affect the med
The use of herbal products such as Yohimbe and ma huang while on Hyzaar may reduce the medication’s effectiveness.
What are the benefits of taking the med?
Hyzaar and other antihypertensive medications help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of suffering a stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems.
How can I buy/get the med from?
In the U.S., Hyzaar is prescribed by your doctor and can be purchased from pharmacies, drug stores, and online pharmacies with pharmacy permits issued by the state board of pharmacies to dispense prescriptions. It is necessary to buy/get your Hyzaar from pharmacies licensed by the board of pharmacy.
Where can I store the med?
Hyzaar tablets should be kept at room temperature in a dry place, protected from moisture and light. Do not store it in a bathroom and keep the lid tightly closed.
What risk and side effects should I expect from the med?
Taking Hyzaar can cause dizziness and signs of a common cold like sneezing, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, and watery eyes. You can also experience back pain while on this medication. To know more about what you can expect when taking Hyzaar, Ask US Pharmacist today!
What dangerous side effects should I be alarmed about? And what do I do if that happens?
Hyzaar’s dangerous side effects include signs of high blood sugar (confusion, feeling sleepy, and excessive thirst and hunger) or signs of fluid and electrolyte imbalances (mood changes, muscle pain, seizures, fast heartbeat, not being hungry, dry mouth, or dry eyes). This medication can also cause eye problems like a change in eyesight and eye pain. Talk to your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above. What other changes can you notice while on Hyzaar? AskUS Pharmacist today.
How long do I have to take the med?
The duration of the treatment depends on how your body responds to Hyzaar and if your blood pressure can be controlled without the use of medications.
How much does it cost out of pocket?
Hyzaar tablets cost between $4 and $7 per tablet or approximately $210 for a 30-day supply. Thankfully, there are a few drug coupons you can use in any drug store in the United States without insurance coverage that could help you pay less for a 30-day supply. With insurance coverage, you could pay as low as $9 depending on your deductibles. For more information on the cost of your Hyzaar, Ask US Pharmacist today.
Does the medication have substitutes?
Yes, Hyzaar belongs to a class of antihypertensive medications called angiotensin II inhibitors. The possible substitutes are from the same class of medications, including irbesartan and losartan. Your prescriber can also switch you from Hyzaar to another similar blood pressure-lowering medication.
What other medical conditions can the med treat?
Hyzaar could be prescribed by your doctor to reduce the chance of stroke in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, a heart disease.
Do I need lab work while on this med?
Yes, you need tests to monitor how Hyzaar is working for you and to monitor your overall symptoms. To check how Hyzaar is working for you, your doctor should regularly check your blood pressure, potassium, chloride, sodium and kidney function.
What should I do if I miss my dose?
If you miss a regularly scheduled dose of Hyzaar, take the missed dose as soon as you remember on the same day. Do not double your dose! If it's close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume at your normal time. What do I do if I miss a dose or am unsure if I should take my dose of Hyzaar? AskUSPharmacist today!
When can I stop taking the med?
You cannot stop your Hyzaar without your doctor’s approval. You may have to take this medication even if you are feeling fine. Your prescriber may change your regimen or switch you to another medication based on your laboratory results and your response to this medication.
How does the med look, its appearance?
Hydrochlorothiazide + losartan's common name in the United States is Hyzaar and is supplied by Alembic Pharmaceuticals. Its appearance depends on the dosage strength of each tablet. Hyzaar 50/12.5 (50mg losartan potassium and 12.5mg hydrochlorothiazide) is a pale yellow teardrop-shaped tablet imprinted with L146. AskUSPharmacist if your Hyzaar tablets appear different from the Alembic brand.
How does the med come?
Hyzaar is available at drug stores, pharmacies, and online pharmacies as 50mg of losartan potassium and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide tablets, 100mg of losartan potassium and 12.5mg of hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and 100mg of losartan potassium and 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
How many tablets (micrograms/milligrams/grams) do I take?
The number of tablets and frequency of Hyzaar you take would be determined by the dose your doctor prescribes and what medical conditions you are being treated for. See question 6 above for details.
What is the Total Daily Dose (TDD) of the med?
The maximum daily dose of Hyzaar (losartan 100 mg and 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide). Your total daily dose will depend on how much you are prescribed. If you are unsure about your dose, AskUSPharmacist today!
Would my insurance cover the meds? And what is my copay?
Yes, most insurance covers your Hyzaar but it depends on the type of insurance and your deductibles. Your co-pay could be up to approximately $30 for a 30-day supply. Again, your insurance determines your co-pay, not your drug stores or pharmacies. You can always call your insurance for more on your medication co-pays. Ask US Pharmacist for guidance!
How can I dispose of the meds?
You can dispose of your Hyzaar through ‘take-back’ programs. The ‘take-backs’ are designated places that exist in most communities where you can dispose of your unused or expired medications. Drug stores and pharmacies near you also offer on-site drop-off boxes. You can also dispose of your medications by taking them to your local police department. Looking for places within your communities where you could dispose of old/unused medications? Ask US Pharmacist today.
