DRUG STUDY: NCM 106 PHARMACOLOGY
NAME: ____________________________________________________________
DRUG NAME
Generic Name:
losartan potassium
Drug Classification:
Angiotensin II receptor
antagonist
Available Dosage:
Hypertension
 Adults: Initially, 50
mg/day P.O.; range is
25 to 100 mg/day as a
single dose or in two
divided doses. May
be used alone or with
other drugs.
 Children ages 6 and
older: 0.7 mg/kg P.O.
daily, up to total of 50
mg
To prevent cerebrovascular
accident (stroke) in
hypertensive patients with left
ventricular hypertrophy
(LVH)
 Adults: Initially, 50
mg P.O. daily,
MECHANISM OF
ACTION
Blocks vasoconstricting and
aldosterone-secreting effects
of angiotensin II at various
receptor sites, including
vascular smooth muscle and
adrenal glands. Also
increases urinary flow and
enhances excretion of
chloride, magnesium,
calcium, and phosphate.
Instructor: _______________________________________ Date: ________________________
BLOCK and Year:___________________________Group: ______________________________
INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION ADVERSE EFFECTS
 Hypersensitivity to  CNS: dizziness,
 Hypertension drug or its insomnia, headache,
 To prevent components asthenia, fatigue
cerebrovascular  Pregnancy (second or  CV: hypotension
accident (stroke) in third trimester) EENT: sinus
hypertensive disorders GI: nausea,
patients with left vomiting, diarrhea,
ventricular dyspepsia, abdominal
hypertrophy (LVH) pain
 Nephropathy in  Metabolic:
patients with type 2 hyperkalemia
diabetes Musculoskeletal: joint
pain, back pain,
muscle cramps
 Respiratory:
symptoms of upper
res- piratory infection,
dry cough
 Other:
hypersensitivity
reactions including
angioedema
NURSING
INTERVENTIONS
Patient monitoring:
 Watch for angioedema
and other hypersensitivity
reactions.
 Monitor blood pressure to
evaluate drug efficacy.
 Assess liver and kidney
function tests and
electrolyte levels.
 Stay alert for oliguria,
progressive azotemia, and
renal failure in patients
with severe heart failure
whose renal function
depends on the renin-
angiotensin-aldosterone
system.
 Know that in black
patients, losartan and
other ACE inhibitors may
be ineffective when used
alone. Drug isn’t indicated
for stroke prevention in
black hypertensive
patients with LVH.
 Be aware that drug may
cause fetal injury or death
when used during second
or third trimester of
pregnancy.
Patient teaching:
 Instruct patient to avoid
potassium supplements
and salt substitutes
containing potassium,
 increased to 100 mg unless directed by
P.O. daily. May be prescriber.
given concurrently  Caution female patient not
with to take drug during second
hydrochlorothiazide. or third trimester of
Nephropathy in patients with pregnancy. Advise her to
type 2 diabetes contact prescriber
 Adults: 50 mg/day immediately if she
P.O.; increase to 100 suspects pregnancy.
mg/day based on  Tell female patient to
blood pressure discuss breastfeeding with
response. prescriber before taking.
 Instruct patient to
immediately report
hypersensitivity reactions,
especially lip or eyelid
swelling, throat tightness,
and difficulty breathing.
 As appropriate, review all
other significant and life-
threatening adverse
reactions and interactions,
especially those related to
the drugs, tests, and foods
mentioned above.