Product Name Fortzaar, Reduce Blood Pressure, Prevent Hypertension Complication - 28 Tablets Scientific Name Losartan 100 Mg + Hydrochlorothiazide 25 Mg Tablets Category Of Fortzaar Tablets Anti-Hypertensive Drugs Mechanism Of Action Of Losartan & Hydrochlorothiazide Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict. As a result, losartan relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide inhibits sodium chloride transport in the distal convoluted tubule. More sodium is then excreted in the kidney with accompanying fluid. Thus it increases urine excretion, which by turn decreases blood volume and finally blood pressure. On long-term usage, thiazide diuretic (TZD)-mediated chronic reduction of arterial pressure is thought to occur through decreased total peripheral vascular resistance. Therapeutic Indications Of Fortzaar Tablets Treatment of essential hypertension. High blood pressure is a common condition in which the long-term force of the blood against your artery walls is high enough that it may eventually cause health problems, such as heart disease. Method Of Administration Of Fortzaar Tablets The tablets can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablets with a sufficient amount of water (e.g. One glass). If possible, take your daily dose at the same time each day, for example at breakfast time. Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The usual dose of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide for most patients with high blood pressure is 1 tablet of losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg per day to control blood pressure over 24 hours. This can be increased to 2 tablets once daily of losartan / hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets. The maximum daily dose is 2 tablets per day of losartan / hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg/12.5 mg film-coated tablets. Doses may be changed in special conditions so always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. If you take more than you should, talk to a doctor or go to the hospital straight away. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose (two doses at the same time) to make up for the forgotten dose. Undesirable Side Effects Of Fortzaar Tablets Cough, upper airway infection, congestion in the nose, sinusitis, sinus disorder Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, indigestion Muscle pain or cramps, leg pain, back pain Insomnia, headache, dizziness Weakness, tiredness, chest pain Increased potassium levels (which can cause an abnormal heart rhythm), decreased Hemoglobin levels Changes in kidney function including kidney failure Too low sugar in the blood (hypoglycemia). Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Precautions While Taking Fortzaar Tablets If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Non-Pharmacological Treatments & Advice To Reduce Blood Pressure To measure blood pressure correctly: Don’t eat or drink anything 30 minutes before you take your blood pressure. Empty your bladder before your reading. Sit in a comfortable chair with your back supported for at least 5 minutes before your reading. Put both feet flat on the ground and keep your legs uncrossed. Rest your arm with the cuff on a table at chest height. Make sure the blood pressure cuff is snug but not too tight. The cuff should be against your bare skin, not over clothing. Do not talk while your blood pressure is being measured. You will also find the following Non-Pharmacological treatments effective in blood pressure reduction: Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline Exercise regularly Eat a healthy diet Reduce sodium in your diet Quit smoking Reduce caffeine Reduce your stress Monitor your blood pressure at home using for example Beurer, Blood Pressure Monitor or Omron Blood Pressure Measuring Device See your doctor regularly Warnings & Special Precautions While Taking Fortzaar Tablets Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this combination: if you have previously suffered from swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue if you take diuretics if you are on a salt-restricted diet if you have or have had severe vomiting and/or diarrhea if you have heart failure if your liver function is impaired if you have narrow arteries to your kidneys (renal artery stenosis) or only have one functioning kidney, or you have recently had a kidney transplant if you have narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), angina pectoris (chest pain due to poor heart function) if you have ‘aortic or mitral valve stenosis (narrowing of the valves of the heart) or ‘hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a disease-causing thickening of heart muscle) if you are diabetic if you have had gout if you have or have had an allergic condition, asthma, or a condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes, and fever (systemic lupus erythematosus) if you have high calcium or low potassium levels or you are on a low potassium diet if you need to have an anesthetic (even at the dentist) or before surgery, or if you are going to have tests to check your parathyroid function, you must tell the doctor or medical staff that you are taking losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide tablets if you suffer from primary hyperaldosteronism (a syndrome associated with increased secretion of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal gland, caused by an abnormality within the gland) if you are taking any of the following medicines used to treat high blood pressure: an ACEinhibitor, aliskiren. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Storage Conditions Of Fortzaar Tablets Store below 25°c Don’t refrigerate Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store in the original package to protect from moisture. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the box/blisters/label. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month. Normal Ranges Normal: Blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg Elevated: is when readings consistently range from 120-129 systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. Hypertension Stage 1: is when blood pressure consistently ranges from 130-139 systolic or 80-89 mm Hg diastolic. Hypertension Stage 2: is when blood pressure consistently ranges at 140/90 mm Hg or higher. Hypertensive crisis: This stage of high blood pressure requires medical attention. If your blood pressure readings suddenly exceed 180/120 mm Hg, wait five minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If your readings are still unusually high, contact your doctor immediately. You could be experiencing a hypertensive crisis.