Hyzaar® for Hypertension: Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets

What Hyzaar® Is and How It Works

Hyzaar is a fixed‑dose combination of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) used to treat high blood pressure in adults. It combines an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) with a thiazide diuretic. Together, these medicines lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and helping the kidneys remove excess salt and water. Tablets are taken by mouth once daily, with or without food.

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Losartan blocks angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone effects. Hydrochlorothiazide increases sodium and water excretion in the distal tubules, which decreases plasma volume. The combination can provide greater blood pressure reduction than either component alone, and it may reduce pill burden versus taking two separate tablets.

Available strengths include 50 mg/12.5 mg, 100 mg/12.5 mg, and 100 mg/25 mg. Clinicians often use Hyzaar when blood pressure is not adequately controlled on single‑agent therapy, or when a two‑drug regimen is appropriate from the start.

Dosage and Usage

• Starting dose: 50 mg/12.5 mg once daily for many patients.
• Titration: increase after 2–4 weeks based on response; common maintenance doses are 100 mg/12.5 mg or 100 mg/25 mg once daily.
• Maximum hydrochlorothiazide dose in this product: 25 mg daily.
• Administration: swallow tablets whole with water, with or without food, at the same time each day.
• Adherence: consistent daily dosing supports steady blood pressure control.
• Missed dose: take when remembered unless it is close to the next dose; do not double doses.
• Sun sensitivity: hydrochlorothiazide may increase photosensitivity; protective clothing or sunscreen may be considered.
• Potassium: diuretics can lower potassium, while ARBs may increase it; periodic labs are often used to monitor electrolytes.
• Drug interactions: NSAIDs may lessen blood pressure effects and kidney function; lithium levels can rise; avoid aliskiren in diabetes.

• Storage: keep tablets at 20–25°C (68–77°F); brief excursions 15–30°C (59–86°F) are acceptable.
• Protection: store in the original, tightly closed container; protect from moisture and light.
• Travel: carry medicines in hand luggage with the pharmacy label; keep dry and away from heat.
• Do not use pill organizers that expose tablets to humidity unless they close tightly.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

The combination of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide targets blood pressure through two complementary mechanisms. Many patients achieve larger reductions in systolic and diastolic pressure versus either component alone. Once‑daily dosing simplifies routines, and a fixed‑dose tablet reduces the number of pills. Improved blood pressure control can help lower the long‑term risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney complications associated with hypertension.

Hyzaar offers multiple strengths, which allows careful titration to a personalized maintenance dose. The ARB component is generally well tolerated and is less likely than ACE inhibitors to cause cough. The thiazide component supports effective volume control and is a long‑standing, guideline‑supported option in hypertension. Many customers save 60–80% vs typical U.S. prices.

See our promotions page for current offers, including any hyzaar coupon if available.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, fatigue.
• Diuretic‑related: increased urination, mild dehydration, muscle cramps.
• Electrolytes: low sodium, low magnesium, changes in potassium.
• Metabolic: increased uric acid (gout risk), changes in blood glucose or lipids.
• GI: nausea, abdominal discomfort.
• Dermatologic: photosensitivity or rash.

Serious but less common risks include severe allergic or angioedema reactions, marked hypotension, kidney function changes, and rare sulfonamide‑associated eye events (acute myopia and secondary angle‑closure glaucoma) with hydrochlorothiazide. Hyperkalemia risk increases with potassium supplements, potassium‑sparing diuretics, or salt substitutes. Contraindications include anuria, known hypersensitivity to any component or other sulfonamide‑derived drugs, and use with aliskiren in patients with diabetes. ARBs can cause fetal toxicity; discontinue when pregnancy is detected. Breastfeeding requires caution because hydrochlorothiazide appears in human milk. Discuss all medicines, including NSAIDs and lithium, to avoid interactions.

Onset Time

Initial blood pressure reductions often appear within 1–2 weeks. The full effect typically develops over 4–6 weeks as dose and fluid balance stabilize. The diuretic component may increase urination within hours of dosing, especially early in therapy, and this effect usually lessens as the body adapts.

Compare With Alternatives

Other combinations may suit specific clinical needs or tolerability profiles. An ACE inhibitor plus thiazide is a common alternative. For example, Ramipril Hctz combines an ACE inhibitor with hydrochlorothiazide. ACE inhibitors carry a higher risk of cough and, rarely, angioedema compared with ARBs, which can influence selection in those who experienced ACE‑related cough.

In resistant hypertension or in select endocrine conditions, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may be added. Spironolactone Hctz combines a potassium‑sparing agent with a thiazide. This approach requires careful potassium and kidney function monitoring. Monotherapy options such as spironolactone can also be used in specific cases where a diuretic with hormonal effects is preferred.

Choice among these options depends on response, comorbidities, and tolerability. Fixed‑dose combinations can improve adherence by reducing pill burden, while component flexibility may be useful for fine‑tuning doses.

Combination Therapy

• With calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine) for additive blood pressure lowering.
• With beta‑blockers in patients who need rate control or post‑MI therapy.
• With standalone thiazides is generally avoided; instead, adjust the hydrochlorothiazide dose within the fixed combination.
• With mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (e.g., spironolactone) in resistant hypertension, with close potassium and kidney function monitoring.
• Adjustments to other diuretics or vasodilators may reduce dizziness or hypotension risk during up‑titration.

Patient Suitability and Cost‑Saving Tips

Candidates often include adults with primary hypertension who benefit from dual‑mechanism therapy or who need a simplified regimen. It may be considered when blood pressure is not adequately controlled with monotherapy such as losartan or a thiazide alone.

Hyzaar may not be suitable in pregnancy, during breastfeeding, in anuria, with known sulfonamide hypersensitivity, or when using aliskiren in diabetes. Caution is advised in severe kidney or liver impairment, volume depletion, gout, or a history of angioedema. Alcohol can enhance blood pressure lowering and dizziness. Laboratory monitoring is often used to track electrolytes and kidney function.

Cost‑saving ideas include choosing appropriate fixed‑dose strengths to avoid unnecessary tablets, considering multi‑month supplies to reduce shipping frequency, and using reminders to reorder before running out. Some patients use the generic losartan/hydrochlorothiazide instead of brand Hyzaar when suitable. CanadianInsulin offers prompt, value‑focused service while coordinating verified prescriptions.

Authoritative Sources

Merck Hyzaar Prescribing Information

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Hyzaar

FDA Label: Losartan and Hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar)

Order Hyzaar from CanadianInsulin: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold‑chain handling.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a licensed healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions for diagnosis, treatment, and dosing.