Brand Name

Hyzaar {Merck}

Generic Name

losartan and hydrochlorothiazide ( loe SAR tan and HYE droe KLOR oh THYE a zide)

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Hyzaar?

Hyzaar is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure in adults. Hyzaar may be prescribed to keep your blood vessels from narrowing, which helps to lower your blood pressure and improve your blood flow. You may be given Hyzaar to help to lower your risk of stroke if you have heart disease.

Hyzaar may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Hyzaar

Hyzaar is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, losartan, which means that it helps your blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers your blood pressure and improves your blood flow.

Hydrochlorothiazide, which is part of Hyzaar, is a thiazide diuretic, or water pill, that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Hyzaar is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Hyzaar if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Hyzaar you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. Hyzaar may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your second or third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Hyzaar.

While you are taking Hyzaar you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Hyzaar if you drink while taking it.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Hyzaar

Continue to use Hyzaar as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Tell your doctor right away if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual while you are taking Hyzaar. It is easy to become dehydrated become dehydrated while taking Hyzaar, which can lead to extremely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Hyzaar may cause a condition which results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, and can lead to kidney failure. You should call your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, and especially if you also have a fever, exhaustion and dark colored urine.

Before You Take Hyzaar

If you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or losartan, you should not take Hyzaar.

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding you should not take Hyzaar.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or congestive heart failure before taking Hyzaar.

If you suffer from asthma, glaucoma, gout or you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Hyzaar.

Let your doctor know if low or high levels of potassium in your blood, diabetes, an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin or are unable to urinate before starting treatment with Hyzaar.

Until you know how you will react to Hyzaar you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Hyzaar.

You need to be aware that certain conditions can cause low blood pressure, and make the effects of Hyzaar more pronounced for you. Tell your doctor right away if you experience diarrhea, heart disease, intense sweating, vomiting, dialysis, or if you are on a low salt diet or taking diuretics (water pills).

Hyzaar Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• aspirin
• barbiturates like phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• blood pressure medications
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran)
• colestipol (Colestid)
• diabetes medication (oral) or insulin
• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze)
• diuretics or water pills like amiloride (Midamor), bumetanide (Bumex), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor HCT, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), spironolactone (Aldactone) and torsemide (Demadex)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, Lithonate)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• muscle relaxers suchlike baclofen (Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), methocarbamol (Robaxin) and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet)
• narcotic pain medications like codeine (Tylenol #3), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin, Vicoprofen), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), oxycodone (OxyContin, Combunox, Roxicodone, Percocet), fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Duragesic, Ionsys, Lazanda, Onsolis), methadone (Methadose, Dolophine) and morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
• steroids (prednisone)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Hyzaar. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Hyzaar

You should take Hyzaar exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Hyzaar in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Hyzaar should be taken at the same time every day, and with a full ( 8oz) glass of water.

Hyzaar can be taken with or without food.

You may need to take Hyzaar on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Hyzaar is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Hyzaar should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Hyzaar you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Hyzaar Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Hyzaar and seek emergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including hives, swelling in your face, lips, throat or tongue and trouble breathing
• appetite loss
• confusion
• drowsiness
• easy bruising
• high potassium symptoms, such as a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, or a tingly feeling
• increased thirst
• jaundice
• feeling faint or lightheadedness with pale skin
• fast or pounding heartbeats
• mood changes
• nausea
• swelling and rapid weight gain
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness alongside a fever, exhaustion and dark colored urine
• urinating less than normal or not at all
• vision problems or eye pain
• vomiting

Less serious side effects of Hyzaar may include:

• back pain
• cold symptoms like a stuffy nose or sore throat
• dizziness
• dry cough
• exhaustion
• stomach pain

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Hyzaar. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Hyzaar Description and Dosing

Hyzaar 50/12.5 contains 50 mg of losartan potassium and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide, and is an oval shaped tablet. It is yellow and has 717 on one side, and is blank on the other side.

Hyzaar 100/12.5 contains 100 mg of losartan potassium and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide, and is an oval shaped tablet. It is white and has 745 on one side and is blank on the other side.

Hyzaar 100/25 contains 100 mg of losartan potassium and 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide, and is an oval shaped tablet. It is light yellow and has 747 on one side and is blank on the other side.

Consult with your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose of Hyzaar without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Hyzaar you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Hyzaar

Hyzaar is available for oral administration in three combinations of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, in tablet formations. Hyzaar 50/12.5 contains 50 mg of losartan potassium and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide. Hyzaar 100/12.5 contains 100 mg of losartan potassium and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide. Hyzaar 100/25 contains 100 mg of losartan potassium and 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide. The inactive ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, lactose hydrous, pregelatinized starch, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, and titanium dioxide. Hyzaar 50/12.5 and Hyzaar 100/25 also contain D&C yellow No. 10 aluminum lake. Hyzaar 50/12.5, Hyzaar 100/12.5, and Hyzaar 100/25 may also contain carnauba wax. Hyzaar 50/12.5 contains 4.24 mg (0.108 mEq) of potassium, Hyzaar 100/12.5 contains 8.48 mg (0.216 mEq) of potassium, and Hyzaar 100/25 contains 8.48 mg (0.216 mEq) of potassium

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.