Cozaar (losartan potassium) Tablets

Cozaar is a prescription angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for hypertension and selected kidney or stroke-risk indications. This page summarizes dosing basics, safety considerations, storage, and interaction cautions to support informed site use. Ships from Canada to US for cash-pay access, including for people without insurance, when a valid prescription is on file.

What Cozaar Is and How It Works

This medicine contains losartan potassium, an ARB that blocks angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor. By reducing the effects of angiotensin II (a hormone that tightens blood vessels), it can lower vascular resistance and support lower blood pressure. It may also reduce aldosterone signaling, which can influence salt and water balance. These actions can help protect target organs over time, particularly the heart and kidneys, when used as directed.

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Why it matters: ARBs affect kidney blood flow, so lab monitoring is often part of routine care.

Clinical labels for losartan include treatment of hypertension, risk reduction of stroke in some patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, and diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease related to diabetes) in certain people with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The exact use depends on the diagnosis, other medicines, and current kidney function. If multiple conditions apply, a prescriber may choose therapy based on the primary goal and safety profile.

Who It’s For

Losartan is commonly prescribed for adults with elevated blood pressure, and it may be used in some pediatric patients for hypertension under clinician guidance. It is also used in selected patients where kidney protection is a treatment goal, such as diabetic kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. For background on common cardiovascular conditions and therapies, browse the High Blood Pressure hub or the Cardiovascular Products category.

This therapy is not appropriate for everyone. ARBs carry a boxed warning for fetal toxicity; use in pregnancy is contraindicated and exposure can harm the developing fetus. Clinicians also use added caution in people with significant volume depletion (for example, from heavy diuretic use), renal artery stenosis, or certain patterns of kidney impairment. A history of hypersensitivity to losartan is a reason not to use it. If a patient has diabetes, prescribers generally avoid combining ARBs with aliskiren due to kidney and potassium risks.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing is individualized and should follow the prescription label. For hypertension in adults, typical starting regimens for losartan are once daily, with adjustments based on response and tolerability. Some patients start at a lower dose when there is concern for low blood pressure from dehydration or concurrent diuretics. In diabetic nephropathy, prescribers may titrate from an initial dose to a higher maintenance dose if needed and tolerated. Cozaar is usually taken at the same time each day, with or without food.

If a dose is missed, many labels advise taking it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose; in that case, the missed dose is skipped rather than doubled. Tablets should be swallowed with water and kept in the original container until use. Because blood pressure response may evolve over weeks, clinicians often reassess readings and labs after initiation or dose changes. For broader context on hypertension medicines, see Atenolol And Hypertension Guide and Ramipril Uses And Heart Complications.

Strengths and Forms

This product is supplied as an oral tablet. Depending on dispensing pharmacy and current supply, strengths may include losartan potassium 25 mg oral tablet, Losartan Potassium 50 mg tablet (often written as losartan 50mg tab), and losartan 100 mg tablet. Cozaar may be dispensed as the brand or as generic losartan potassium when permitted by the prescription and pharmacy policy.

Availability can vary, and the tablet appearance may differ between manufacturers. Patients should match the strength and directions on the prescription label rather than relying on color or shape. For those who also have diabetes-related kidney disease, the Diabetic Kidney Disease hub can help identify related treatment categories and monitoring topics to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at controlled room temperature and keep them dry. Protect the medicine from moisture and heat sources such as bathrooms, car glove compartments, and windowsills. Keep the container tightly closed and out of reach of children and pets. Do not use tablets past the labeled expiration date, and do not transfer them into unmarked containers that remove key information like strength and lot number.

Quick tip: Keep a current medication list in your wallet or phone.

For travel, carry the tablets in the original labeled container for identification. When flying, keeping medicines in carry-on baggage reduces exposure to extreme temperatures. Time-zone changes do not usually require complex adjustments for once-daily blood pressure medicines, but it is reasonable to aim for consistent spacing between doses. If vomiting, severe diarrhea, or poor oral intake occurs during travel, dehydration can increase the chance of symptomatic low blood pressure; clinicians may advise temporary adjustments, so patients should seek individualized guidance.

Side Effects and Safety

Like other ARBs, losartan can cause dizziness, fatigue, or lightheadedness, especially after the first doses or when combined with diuretics. Some people report upper respiratory symptoms or nasal congestion. These effects are often mild, but they can be more noticeable when standing quickly or during hot weather. Cozaar may also affect kidney function and potassium levels, which is why routine lab checks are common in clinical practice.

When needed, we confirm prescription details with the original prescriber before dispensing.

Serious reactions require prompt medical evaluation. Seek urgent care for signs of angioedema (swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe fainting, or symptoms consistent with dangerously high potassium (such as marked weakness or palpitations). Pregnancy exposure is a critical safety issue; ARBs can cause fetal harm and should be avoided in pregnancy. People with kidney disease, older adults, and those taking other medicines that raise potassium often need closer monitoring. For practical cardiovascular risk context in diabetes, see Manage Heart Health Diabetes.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Drug interactions with ARBs often relate to kidney effects and potassium balance. Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, and salt substitutes containing potassium can increase the risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium). NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, common pain relievers) may reduce the blood-pressure-lowering effect and can worsen kidney function, particularly in older adults or those who are dehydrated. Lithium levels may rise when combined with ARBs, so clinicians may monitor more closely if used together.

Combining multiple agents that act on the renin-angiotensin system (for example, an ACE inhibitor plus an ARB, or an ARB with aliskiren) can increase risks such as kidney impairment, low blood pressure, and high potassium; prescribers generally avoid these combinations except in limited circumstances. Alcohol can add to dizziness in some people. Before surgery or procedures, patients typically tell the care team about all antihypertensives, since anesthesia and fluid shifts can change blood pressure response.

For additional reading on related cardiovascular medicines and safety themes, browse Cardiovascular Articles or the guide Altace And Blood Pressure.

Compare With Alternatives

Losartan belongs to the ARB class, which also includes medicines such as valsartan, telmisartan, irbesartan, azilsartan, and candesartan. Within the ARB group, clinicians often choose based on indication, tolerability, kidney status, and formulary factors. ACE inhibitors (such as lisinopril, ramipril, or perindopril) are another major option for hypertension and kidney protection, but they have different side-effect patterns, including cough and rare angioedema.

Some patients require combination therapy to reach blood pressure targets. A common combination pairs an ARB with a thiazide diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide and losartan, sometimes written as losartan hydrochlorothiazide. Cozaar is a single-agent ARB; the decision to add another drug is based on clinical response and safety monitoring. For related products, see Losartan Tablets and Diovan (Valsartan).

Pricing and Access

Out-of-pocket costs can vary by strength, manufacturer (brand versus generic losartan potassium), and dispensing pharmacy. Many people use generic losartan potassium 50 mg generic or other strengths when permitted, since generics are generally lower-cost than brand products. Some prescriptions specify “no substitution,” which limits options. If you want to review site-wide offers when available, refer to Current Promotions.

Orders are offered on a cash-pay basis, including for people without insurance.

Because this is a prescription medication, access requires a valid prescription and appropriate clinical information. When refills are requested, the pharmacy may require up-to-date directions and prescriber authorization, depending on the prescription details and local requirements. Patients should keep their prescriber informed about new symptoms, over-the-counter medicines (especially NSAIDs), and changes in kidney status, since these can affect monitoring plans.

Authoritative Sources

For prescribing details, the official labeling is the primary reference for indications, contraindications, warnings, and dosing frameworks. Patient-facing resources from reputable medical organizations can also help explain class effects and common monitoring concepts in plain language. The links below are intended for factual reference rather than treatment decisions.

These sources may be helpful for confirming key safety points and counseling language:

• For the FDA-approved prescribing information, see FDA Cozaar (losartan) label PDF.
• For patient-friendly drug information, review MedlinePlus: Losartan.

To place a request on the site, upload the prescription and select prompt, express, cold-chain shipping at checkout when offered.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.