"Cozaar" is a medication that acts on the vascular walls of the capillaries, venous bed and arteries. Its main function is lowering blood pressure. The article describes the analogues of Kozaar, its indications and contraindications.
This drug is included in the group of antihypertensive drugs with potassium-sparing effect. It is used in the treatment of hypertension of unknown origin and other cardiovascular ailments, as well as to restore the function of the walls of blood vessels in diseases of internal organs.
Form and prices
The drug "Cozaar" is available in tablets, which are coated. On one side there is an engraving "952", and on the second there is a dividing line (to easily divide the product into 2 doses). Cozaar tablets are also available in droplet form, on which is written "960", and on the other hand the surface is smooth.
The medicine is packaged in blisters for 7 pcs. in 1 cardboard box. There is a package of 14 pcs. and 2 blisters. The cost of the drug depends on the dosage. If you choose Cozaar 50 mg tablets, the price is 200-290 rubles. According to reviews, at a dosage of 100 milligrams, the cost reaches 450-500 rubles. You can buy these medicines at any pharmacy.
Composition and action
The main substance of the drug is losartan potassium. The composition of the drug has additional components. As indicated in the instructions, the medication consists of:
- lactose monohydrate;
- pregelatinized corn starch;
- magnesium stearate;
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- titanium dioxide and silicon;
- hypromellose;
- hyproloses.
Carnauba wax is often added. Potassium losartan acts on the receptors of the tissue of the vascular wall, adrenal cortex, smooth muscles of skeletal muscles and myocardium. The tool has a strong hypotensive property with a vasoconstrictor effect. While taking the drug, the kinin-bradykinin fractions and the ionic mechanisms of intracellular transmission are not affected. The drug does not affect the hormonal system and blood sugar.
With the oral administration of the drug, the active substance of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines is resorbed, metabolism by the liver tissues is 15-20%, and the connection with the bloodstream proteins is 98-99%. Due to losartan, metabolisms are created that act within 3-4 hours after taking the drug. The active substance is removed from the body within 10-24 hours with feces and urine.
The properties
"Kosaar" 50 mg and 100 has an antihypertensive effect, normalizes blood pressure, strengthens the vascular walls of capillaries. The active substance binds to specific angiotensin-2 receptors without acting on the angiotensin-converting enzyme.
This action of the drug distinguishes it from the rest of antihypertensive drugs. Compared with analogues, the Kozaar instruction indicates that the main component has no side effect on internal organs and intracellular metabolism. According to reviews, the drug helps many to improve the condition.
When used
The use of "Kozaar" is effective in the treatment of many diseases, disorders of the cardiovascular system. It is used for:
- improvement after heart attacks and strokes;
- protection against myocardial infarction and ischemic processes;
- high pressure stabilization;
- prevention of thrombosis and varicose veins;
- normalization of heart rate;
- elimination of headache, which appears due to circulatory disorders of the brain;
- treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
- therapy of chronic heart pathologies when ACE inhibitors do not have the proper effect;
- treatment of chronic ailments of the excretory system.
In these cases, the drug can help you feel better by eliminating unpleasant symptoms. The main thing is that you must follow all the principles of treatment prescribed by your doctor. According to reviews, analogues of "Kozaar" and the drug itself is prescribed only by a doctor. Self-treatment can adversely affect the condition.
Contraindications
According to doctors, Kozaar should be taken after reading the instructions. The tool is prohibited when:
- pregnancy planning;
- under the age of 18;
- immunity to the composition;
- complex violations of the biliary system and filtering ability of the liver;
- bilateral spasm of the arteries of the kidneys;
- hyperkalemia
- cardiological pathology;
- circulatory disorders in the brain and cerebrovascular ailments;
- diabetes and Aliskiren;
- postoperative period when a kidney transplant from a donor occurred.
It is important to consider these restrictions. In order to prevent adverse health effects, treatment with this drug and Kozaar analogues must be performed under the supervision of a doctor.
Application
The medication is taken orally. Between meals should take about 3-4 hours, regardless of food intake. The doctor calculates the dosage individually, taking into account the severity of the disease, the presence of contraindications, the age and weight of the patient.
In the treatment of hypertension, the initial dosage is usually 1 tablet (50 mg) per day. Drink it with plenty of water. The doctor performs a dose increase to 100 mg if there is no effect of stabilizing blood pressure for a week. A strongly pronounced effect occurs at the end of the course of treatment within 21-40 days.
If there are concomitant pathologies, the initial dose may be reduced to ¼ tablets (12.5 mg). In this case, control of clearance and volume of circulating blood is required. Cozaar is able to interact with other medicines, but the effect of this therapy must be taken into account:
- Hyperkalemia is enhanced when combined with diuretics with potassium-sparing action, vitamin and minerals enriched with potassium.
- The effect of the drug with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormones, and alcohol is inhibited.
According to reviews, treatment with Cozaar is effective if the doctor's recommendations are followed. It is also important to follow all the rules of therapy indicated in the instructions.
Side effects
The appearance of side effects is likely with non-compliance with the rules of treatment, unauthorized changes in the dose of the drug and intolerance to the drug. The therapeutic effect of the drug usually increases the risk of side effects.
The negative aspects include the appearance of:
- migraines, pulsations in the temples, insomnia, disorders of taste perception;
- palpitations, excessive decrease in pressure;
- "Cardiac cough reflex", edema and hyperemia of the mucous membranes of the larynx and pharynx, sinusitis;
- vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, melena;
- arthralgia, myalgia, fascicirculation;
- thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia;
- decreased libido, pseudo-impotence, diuresis disorder;
- rashes, vasculitis, angioedema, Quincke's edema, photosensitivity.
Unlike some analogues, “Kozaar” is well tolerated by many people, as evidenced by numerous reviews. But if any violations from the body systems appear, you need to see a doctor. Only a specialist is able to adjust the dosage or cancel the drug by prescribing a new remedy.
Nuances
Caution should be used in case of renal artery stenosis. In the presence of a deficiency of liquid and / or sodium before treatment, correction of water-electrolyte disturbances or the use of a lower initial dosage is required.
With dehydration at the beginning of losartan therapy, the appearance of symptomatic arterial hypotension is likely. In case of impaired renal function, it is sometimes necessary to reduce the dose of the drug. In patients with a history of liver ailments, losartan should be taken in small doses. With cirrhosis of the liver, the concentration of the drug in the blood plasma will increase markedly.
During treatment, it is necessary to monitor the level of potassium in the blood, especially in the elderly, with impaired renal function. It is important to prevent the simultaneous use of losartan with potassium-sparing diuretics. The safety and effectiveness of the drug has not been established.
Storage
It is advisable to keep the medicine in a sealed package in a dark place. Storage temperature is not more than 30 degrees. The product must be protected from children. It is better to place it in a special medicine cabinet. Shelf life is 3 years. Cannot be used after expiration. The drug can be bought at a pharmacy by prescription.
Drugs with similar pharmacological effects
What are the most effective analogues of Kozaar? A doctor should choose a similar medication. The active substance losartan have the following drugs:
- “Lozartan” is an affordable analogue that costs 40-70 rubles. But the effect of taking less, the side effects are most pronounced. Pills help in the treatment of heart and vascular diseases. They are taken with arterial hypertension and chronic heart failure. It is prescribed 1-2 times a day. It should not be taken by children during pregnancy, lactation, arterial hypotension.
- "Vazotens" - a drug that acts on the renin-angiotensin system and provides a diuretic property. The effect of ablets is noticeable after 4-6 hours. And the maximum effect is achieved after 3-6 weeks. In case of impaired renal function, the minimum dose is taken. Compared with the drug "Valsartan", these tablets have a diuretic effect. The price starts from 130 rubles.
- "Lozap" is a drug that has a symptomatic hypotensive effect. Assign it in small doses.
- "Presartan" - an analogue of the drug "Cozaar", acting locally. Pills reduce pressure in the pulmonary circulation. In case of impaired renal activity, the minimum doses are prescribed. Tablets are allowed to use with other medicines.
- “Klosart” - the drug is used to treat hypertension, chronic heart ailments and protect against the appearance of impaired renal system in diabetes. The main component is also losartan, so the effect of the drug is similar to "Cozaar".
- “Atacand" - the drug is based on losartan. The main function of the drug is considered therapy of essential hypertension. It can also be used in the treatment of heart failure, when the weak effectiveness of ACE inhibitors.
- "Diovan" - the drug is used to treat arterial hypertension and heart failure. It is also used to prevent kidney ailments in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Blocktran is an antihypertensive drug, the basis of which is similar to Cozaar. The main component is losartan, which blocks angiotensin 2 receptors. It is likely to be used in case of chronic heart failure, with weak potency of ACE inhibitors.
Although the analogues are effective, it is nevertheless necessary to carefully read the instructions before taking any remedy. There are probably some contraindications and side effects. It is important to follow the dosage and treatment principles.
Output
According to doctors and patients, Kozaar has a gentle, quick and effective action. The tool helps to cope with high blood pressure without complications. It is necessary to comply with the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor and undergo prophylaxis to adjust the dose of the drug. And then you do not have to worry about the appearance of undesirable consequences.