Losakind H Strip Of 10 Tablets

Losakind H is a combination of two medicines, hydrochlorothiazide and losartan. It is used to treat essential hypertension (high blood pressure). Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, which means it helps the body remove excess water and salt.

This can lower blood pressure. Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (ARB). ARBs work by blocking the effects of a hormone called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to narrow.

This can also lower blood pressure. Losakind H should not be used by children under 18, people with severe kidney or liver problems, or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The most common side effects of Losakind H are cough, diarrhoea, stomach pain, dizziness, tiredness and headache.

If you experience any of these side effects, talk to your doctor. Losar H tablet , Repace H tablet , Losakind H tablet , Cosart H tablet , Ltk H tablet and Covance D tablet also have hydrochlorothiazide and losartan as their active medicine.

Dosage

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include low blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, dizziness, excessive urination, nausea and vomiting. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

• It would be best if you never miss a dose of your blood pressure medicine as it may lead to serious high blood pressure-related problems.
• If you missed any dose, take it as soon as you remember.
• If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
• Do not take a double dose of this medicine to compensate for the missed one.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Losartan lowers the blood pressure by blocking the action of a hormone called angiotensin responsible for narrowing of blood vessels and rise in blood pressure.
• Hydrochlorothiazide acts by increasing the production of urine and loss of water and salt from body, thereby lowering the blood pressure. Both the medicines act by different mechanisms resulting in effective control of blood pressure.

Directions for Use

• Losakind H Tablet should be consumed as a whole with a sufficient amount of water with or without food.
• Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to do. Never stop this medicine on your own.
• This medicine tends to catch moisture and should be taken out from the blister just before use.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Losakind H Tablet during pregnancy?

• Components of Losakind H Tablet are known to cause fetal abnormalities and lead to threatened pregnancy; thus, they should never be taken during pregnancy.
• If you are on this medicine and planning pregnancy, then inform your doctor as your medicine needs to be changed.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Losakind H Tablet while breastfeeding?

It is advised not to use Losakind H Tablet when you are breastfeeding and especially to a premature baby. It can cause excessive urine production and can affect milk production.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Losakind H Tablet?

You may experience dizziness, drowsiness, especially during the start of the treatment or if when the dose is increased of Losakind H Tablet. Hence, be cautious while driving or operating any machinery during treatment with this medicine.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Losakind H Tablet?

Consuming alcohol will intensify the effects of Losakind H Tablet and may cause a fall in blood pressure which may be harmful. You are best advised to avoid alcohol when you are taking this medicine.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have a history of swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue due to water retention.
• You have blocked arteries of your kidneys or recently had a kidney transplant or have only one functioning kidney.
• You experience fainting and giddiness, especially after the first dose.
• You are planning a pregnancy, this medicine will be changed.
• You are facing problems with liver function and related organs-like cholestasis and biliary obstructive.
• Your kidneys are not functioning correctly or you have underlying kidney disease like renal artery stenosis (Narrow kidney blood vessels).
• You have been experiencing fluid losses within your body due to diarrhoea, vomiting, etc.
• You have serious heart valve-related problems like congestive heart failure, aortic or mitral stenosis and ischaemic cardiopathy.
• You are suffering from primary aldosteronism (a condition of excess production of the hormone aldosterone from the adrenal glands).
• You have diabetes as this medicine may affect your blood glucose levels, glucose monitoring is needed.
• You have an electrolyte imbalance of sodium, magnesium, potassium and have symptoms of dryness of mouth, thirst, drowsiness, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, etc.
• You have galactose intolerance (small intestine's inability to transport and absorb glucose and galactose).
• You develop eye pain and a decrease in vision.
• You had any skin cancer or developed any skin lesions.
• You have gout, diabetes, bronchial asthma or any autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to losartan, hydrochhlorothiazide or any of the ingredients of Losakind H Tablet.
• If you are allergic to sulfonamide medicines such as co-trimoxazole.
• If you have a low level of potassium & sodium or high levels of calcium in your blood.
• If you have serious liver disorders and problems related to bile duct (canal connecting liver to intestine) like cholestasis.
• If you have kidney disease due to which you are not producing enough urine.
• If you have diabetes or kidney problem and taking a medicine for high blood pressure like Aliskiren.
• If you have gout.
• If you are pregnant for more than 3 months.

Side effects

• Cough, nasal congestion and sinusitis
• Nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain and indigestion
• Chest pain and tiredness
• Muscle pain, back pain and pain in the legs
• Headache, weakness, dizziness and sleeplessness
• Kidney and liver dysfunction
• Low blood sugar levels

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Your blood potassium levels may go down if you are taking steroids, antifungals like Amphotericin.
• Medicines used to treat depression or other mental conditions like Lithium, Thioridazine and Chlorpromazine.
• Your blood potassium levels may increase if you are taking potassium supplements (Amiloride, Spironolactone) and Trimethoprim.
• You may experience low blood sugar if you are taking medicine for diabetes like Insulin and Metformin along with this medicine (severe kidney problems may also arise with Metformin).
• This medicine can decrease your blood pressure abruptly if taken with other blood pressure-lowering medicine.
• Your blood cell production may be hampered if you take this with medicines like Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate.
• Medicines used to treat pain and inflammation like Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Naproxen interferes with the way this medicine works
• You may experience anaemia if you are taking medicine like Methyldopa.
• Concomitant use of Cyclosporin may increase the risk of gout.
• You may experience abnormal heart rhythms if you are taking medicine for heart failure like Digoxin.
• Medicines that may not be able to work properly due to increased potassium levels are used to treat irregular heartbeats like Quinidine, Sotalol and Amiodarone.
• This medicine can increase blood calcium levels if you are taking vitamin D and calcium supplements.
• Other medicines like Probenecid, Allopurinol, Atropine, Biperiden and muscle relaxants like Tubocurarine, Cholestyramine and Colestipol.

Interactions with food items

Make sure to have a low salt diet because excess salt in your diet may decrease the effects of this medicine.

Storage and disposal

• Store this medicine below 30°C.
• Keep this medicine in the original container to protect it from light and moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will Losakind H Tablet start lowering my blood pressure immediately after I take this medicine?

Blood pressure will not start to lower after you start taking Losakind H Tablet. It will take 3-4 weeks for your blood pressure to be normalized. This medicine is not recommended to be used in patients who have not received prior therapy for high blood pressure and should preferably be used in patients who had exposure to both the medicines as single tablets previously.

Can I use Losakind H Tablet in kidney and liver disease?

Losakind H Tablet can be used at a normal dose in patients with mild to moderate kidney failure (i.e., creatinine clearance is above 30-50 ml/min). However, it should not be used in severe kidney failure or in patients on hemodialysis. Similarly, this medicine can be used but with caution in patients with mild-moderate liver disease. It should not be used in patients with severe liver impairment.

Is there anything else I need to know before using Losakind H Tablet?

• Your blood pressure, kidney function and blood potassium levels need to be regularly monitored while you are taking this medicine.
• Caution is advised (inform your doctor) if you are undergoing any radiography with iodine contrast media.
• Losakind H Tablet should not be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.