Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking losartan as follows:
- Try changing the positions very slowly, as sudden change of positions can make the hypotensive episodes even worse and precipitate accidents and falls.
- Losartan increases potassium levels in the body. Be cautious about using any potassium supplements or any medications that increase the potassium levels in the body, such as, captopril and spironolactone/aldactone. Too high levels of potassium can be toxic to heart leading to complete heart block.
- Observe compliance with regular lab work ordered. Since the drug can lead to high potassium levels in the body, potassium levels in the blood could be closely monitored. Losartan is mainly metabolized and excreted by the liver, with a significant portion of the medication excreted by the kidneys in urine too. So, evaluation of liver and kidney function could be periodically ordered.
