hydrochlorothiazide + losartan at a glance
Medicine class
Angiotensin II receptor blocker plus thiazide diuretic
Licensed use
Essential hypertension not adequately controlled by losartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone
Administration
Swallow whole with water, with or without food
Routine checks
Blood pressure, kidney function and blood electrolytes may need monitoring
What is hydrochlorothiazide + losartan used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Essential hypertension in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by losartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone.
It is not licensed as initial treatment for hypertension.
How does hydrochlorothiazide + losartan work?
Losartan blocks AT1 receptors, reducing blood-vessel tightening and aldosterone release. Hydrochlorothiazide increases sodium and water excretion by the kidneys. Their complementary actions lower blood pressure.
hydrochlorothiazide + losartan preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg + 12.5 mg, 100 mg + 12.5 mg, 100 mg + 25 mg
How to take hydrochlorothiazide + losartan
Follow the dispensing label and do not alter treatment without speaking to the prescriber.
Swallow the tablet whole with water.
It may be taken with or without food.
Avoid grapefruit juice because it may reduce formation of losartan’s active metabolite.
Alcohol can increase dizziness or postural low blood pressure.
During significant vomiting, diarrhoea or dehydration, contact a pharmacist or prescriber for advice.
hydrochlorothiazide + losartan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness or headache
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nausea, indigestion, abdominal pain or diarrhoea
- Muscle cramps or pain
- Cough or nasal and sinus symptoms
- Changes in kidney function, potassium, haemoglobin or blood glucose
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face, mouth or throat, breathing difficulty or another severe allergic reaction
- Severe breathlessness or acute respiratory deterioration
- Sudden eye pain or reduced vision
- Fainting, marked low blood pressure or an abnormal heartbeat
- Yellow skin or eyes, severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting
- Markedly reduced urine output or symptoms of a serious electrolyte disturbance
- New or changing skin or lip lesions
hydrochlorothiazide + losartan in pregnancy
This combination is not recommended in early pregnancy and is contraindicated during the second and third trimesters. Anyone planning pregnancy or who becomes pregnant should contact their prescriber promptly for review and an alternative where appropriate.
hydrochlorothiazide + losartan while breastfeeding
The combination is generally not recommended during breastfeeding because evidence for losartan is very limited and hydrochlorothiazide can enter milk and may reduce milk production. An alternative with better-established evidence is usually preferred, particularly for a newborn or premature infant.
hydrochlorothiazide + losartan interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements and salt substitutes. Important examples include:
Potassium supplements, potassium salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics or trimethoprim
May increase blood potassium; combined use is generally inadvisable without clinical review and monitoring.
Lithium
May increase lithium toxicity risk, requiring avoidance or close monitoring.
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
May weaken blood-pressure control and increase kidney impairment and potassium changes, especially during dehydration.
Common questions about hydrochlorothiazide + losartan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. The selected tablets can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole with water.
Can I drink grapefruit juice?
Avoid it because grapefruit juice may reduce formation of losartan’s active metabolite and potentially reduce its effect.
Can I take ibuprofen?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.