Losakind-H Tablet is a combination of two medicines. It helps to control high blood pressure in different ways. If high blood pressure is not treated it can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure.
You can take Losakind-H Tablet with or without food. The dose will depend on your condition and how your respond to the medicine. Try to take it at the same time each day. It is important to keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you not to. It contains a diuretic (water pill) and will make you urinate more so, it is best to avoid taking this medicine within four hours of going to bed. Use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit from it even if you feel well. High blood pressure does not usually have symptoms and if you stop taking it your risk of heart attack or stroke may increase.
The most common side effect is dizziness. Other side effects include feeling tired, nausea, diarrhoea, headache, and decreased blood pressure. Frequent urination is not a side effect of this medicine. It is the purpose of hydrochlorothiazide and helps control your blood pressure. You may experience other possible side effects, but most are rare. Make sure you read the leaflet that comes with your medicines and tell your doctor if you are bothered by side effects or they do not go away. It may be possible to adjust your dose or try a different medicine.
This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy and you should ask your doctor before taking it if you have kidney or liver disease, heart trouble or diabetes. Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may cause side effects.
USES OF LOSAKIND-H TABLET
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
SIDE EFFECTS OF LOSAKIND-H TABLET
Common
Nausea
Taste change
Upset stomach
Diarrhea
Headache
Dizziness
Weakness
Decreased blood pressure
Increased blood uric acid
Increased blood lipid level
Glucose intolerance
Electrolyte imbalance
HOW TO COPE WITH SIDE EFFECTS?
The occurrence of side effects varies from person to person. The following are a few ways of dealing with some of the common side effects. However, consult your doctor if these persist.
Coping with Nausea
You can help yourself by eating small, frequent meals rather than large ones and drinking plenty of fluids. Eat slowly. Avoid fatty, fried, spicy and very sweet foods. Eat cold or slightly warm food if the smell of cooked or cooking food makes you feel sick. Get plenty of fresh air. You could also try chewing ginger or drinking ginger tea. Eat bananas to replace potassium in your blood which can drop if you are sick (vomit). Use oral rehydration salts to replace vitamins and minerals lost through being sick. There are some medicines that can help you stop from feeling sick. Speak to your doctor if your condition does not improve.
Coping with Taste change
Keep your mouth clean. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with saltwater or mouthwash after each snack or meal. Use plastic or glass utensils if the food tastes like metal. Avoid very hot or very cold foods. Chewing mints or gums may also help in improving the taste. Increase your fluid intake and choose foods that have strong flavors. Try adding garlic, lemon juice, herbs, spices and pickles or chutneys. Avoid cigarette smoking.
Coping with Upset stomach
Try taking your medicine with a meal or snack, or shortly after eating. It might help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, and to eat and drink slowly. Avoid foods which can irritate your stomach such as carbonated soft drinks, caffeine, fatty and spicy foods, mints and citrus fruits. Quit smoking and alcohol because they increase the symptoms. Do not eat for 3 or 4 hours before going to bed. Try raising the head of your bed at night or use extra pillows. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about medicines that may help, such as antacids, if your condition does not improve.
Coping with Diarrhea
Keep up your intake of fluids and electrolytes (sugars and salts) to avoid getting dehydrated. Eat less fiber (avoid raw fruits, fruit juice and vegetables). Talk to your doctor about possible medication to manage diarrhea. Ask about reducing the dosage of your drug or other suitable treatments.
Coping with Headache
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Rest in a quiet, dimly lit room. Do not sleep more than you normally would. Do not strain your eyes (for example by looking at a screen). Do not drink alcohol. Headaches are usually temporary and usually go away with time. But, if they last longer or get worse, ask your doctor to recommend a painkiller.
Coping with Dizziness
This is usually short-lived and should go away within a few days. If this happens, stop what you are doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Lying still in a dark, quiet room may help reduce the spinning feeling. Sleep with your head slightly raised on two or more pillows. Get up slowly from a lying or sitting position. Get plenty of rest and try to relax as being anxious can make it worse. Try taking this medicine at bedtime to reduce the symptoms. Drinking plenty of water and ginger tea may also help. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and smoking as it will make you feel worse. Avoid driving or using tools or machinery until you feel better.
Coping with Weakness
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Eat a well-balanced diet to keep your energy levels up. Do not drink too much alcohol. Do not drive or use tools or machinery until you feel better. Other things that can help include doing some gentle exercise every day, prioritizing and pacing your activities and having a short nap if you need to. If you are still having problems after a week, speak to your doctor, as they may want to change you to a different type of medicine.
Coping with Decreased blood pressure
Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. Try to avoid changing positions suddenly even in general. Try crossing your legs when you are sitting and wearing compression stockings. Drink plenty of water and try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Although salt is not good for everyone (and bad for some people), if you have low blood pressure increasing your intake of salt (sodium) can raise your blood pressure. Cut down the amount of alcohol you drink. If your blood pressure becomes very low, you should talk to your doctor.
Coping with Electrolyte imbalance
You will need a blood test to find out if you have electrolyte imbalance in your body. If your medicine is causing this, your doctor will adjust your medication and treat the cause. This will help prevent future electrolyte imbalances. A minor electrolyte imbalance may be treated by diet changes. Eating a potassium-rich diet if you have low potassium levels and restricting your water intake if you have a low blood sodium level can help. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
HOW TO USE LOSAKIND-H TABLET
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Losakind-H Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
HOW LOSAKIND-H TABLET WORKS
Losakind-H Tablet is a combination of two medicines: Losartan and Hydrochlorothiazide, which lowers the blood pressure effectively. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It works by blocking the hormone angiotensin thereby relaxing blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Over time it also relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.
SAFETY ADVICE
warnings
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Losakind-H Tablet.
warnings
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Losakind-H Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
warnings
Breastfeeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Losakind-H Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
warnings
Driving
UNSAFE
Losakind-H Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
warnings
Kidney
CAUTION
Losakind-H Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Losakind-H Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Use of Losakind-H Tablet is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
warnings
Liver
CAUTION
Losakind-H Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Losakind-H Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
