Many patients, in search of drugs to normalize blood pressure, are faced with the problem of whether to choose Lozap or Losartan, since both drugs have a similar spectrum of action. To make the right choice, it is necessary to study the composition, indications and features of the effect of medications on the body.
To normalize blood pressure, you can use Lozap or Losartan.
Compound similarities
Both drugs are available in tablet form. The compositions of the medications are identical, because they contain the same active ingredient - losartan potassium. The auxiliary components are also the same: magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, macrogol (a substance that provides a laxative effect), white dye, lactose monohydrate.
Considering the fact that the main component of both drugs is the same, their indications for use do not differ:
- arterial type hypertension;
- chronic heart failure;
- diabetic nephropathy;
- left ventricular hypertrophy;
- hyperkalemia (in this case, the drugs are prescribed as potent diuretics);
- as a prophylaxis to reduce the risk of diseases and pathologies of the heart muscle and vascular system in the presence of provoking factors.
The effects of Lozap and Losartan on the body are also the same - the main component helps thin the blood, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots. Losartan potassium reduces the concentration of the hormones aldosterone and norepinephrine, which, when excessively released into the blood, negatively affect the vessels, narrowing the lumen between them. The medications have a pronounced diuretic effect.
Medicines stabilize the concentration of urea, lower blood pressure, normalizing its levels and thereby reducing the load on the heart muscle and vascular system, which is one of the best preventions of heart and vascular diseases, including heart attack and stroke. The drugs have no effect on the central nervous system. The effect on the concentration of the hormonal substance norepinephrine, which narrows the lumen between the walls of blood vessels, is short-lived.
Lozap stabilizes the concentration of urea, lowers blood pressure, normalizing its levels and thereby reducing the load on the heart muscle.
Characteristics of Lozap
The main active ingredient of the drug is losartan potassium. Release forms: tablets of various sizes (12.5 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg). In addition to the active ingredient, the composition includes:
- dietary fiber cellulose;
- silicon dioxide sorbent;
- emulsifier magnesium stearate;
- plasticizer hypromellose;
- enterosorbent povidone;
- laxative element macrogol;
- talc;
- white titanium dioxide dye;
- diuretic mannitol.
The actions of the drugs Lozap and Losartan are aimed at reducing the number of cardiovascular pathologies and their complications.
- from pressure;
- as a prevention of vascular complications;
- in combination in the treatment of heart failure;
- for diabetic nephropathy;
- with left ventricular hypertrophy;
- for hyperkalemia (as a diuretic).
- renal artery stenosis (narrowing);
- hypotension;
- diffuse connective tissue diseases;
- individual intolerance;
- period of pregnancy and lactation;
- children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
In case of impaired renal and liver function, treatment with the drug is possible, but under the supervision and prescription of a doctor, starting the dosage with minimal forms.
Differences between Lozap and Losartan
Despite the fact that both medicines contain the same active ingredient and an almost identical list of auxiliary components, there are some differences between them.
Losartan contains slightly more additional substances, so the likelihood of side symptoms and the range of contraindications will be slightly greater. Additional excipients of Lozap are:
- mannitol;
- cellulose;
- silica;
- talc.
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From Losartan:
- magnesium stearate;
- lactose monohydrate;
- calcium carbonate;
- starch.
The diuretic effect of Lozap is provided by the substance mannitol, and in the second drug - magnesium stearate. Due to the presence of mannitol in the medicine, Lozap is strictly forbidden to be taken simultaneously with medications that have a diuretic effect. In addition, throughout the entire therapeutic course it is necessary to regularly undergo laboratory tests to check calcium concentration and water-salt balance.
Medicines and manufacturers differ: Lozap is produced in the Czech Republic, Losartan - in Israel, but there is also a more budget option, which is produced in Belarus.
Losartan contains slightly more additional substances, so the likelihood of side symptoms and the range of contraindications will be slightly greater.
The period of onset of the therapeutic effect also differs between the agents. Lozap begins to act within 2-3 hours, the effect lasts for 1-1.5 days, Losartan - from 5 hours with the therapeutic effect remaining throughout the day. These figures are averaged, since the effectiveness of the drugs depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the severity of the patient’s condition, the severity and intensity of the symptomatic picture.
The risks of occurrence and the nature of side effects also differ between drugs, which is associated with some differences in the excipients in the composition.
Contraindications
Losartan should not be taken in the following cases:
- individual intolerance to individual components;
- pregnancy, lactation;
- severe liver failure;
- Age limit: up to 6 years.
Contraindications to the use of Lozap:
- allergic reaction to the main component or excipients in the composition;
- liver dysfunction with intense symptoms;
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding period;
- age limit - up to 18 years (there is no data on the specific effects of the medication on the child’s body).
Both medications are strictly prohibited from being taken in combination therapy with medications that contain the substance aliskiren (regardless of its concentration) and ACE inhibitors.
Characteristics of Losartan
The drug is available in tablets of 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg. Its main functions are hypotensive. The work of the drug in this direction is ensured by the same active component - potassium losartan. Additional substances include:
- fiber (cellulose dietary fiber);
- silicon dioxide sorbent;
- emulsifier magnesium stearate;
- plasticizer hypromellose;
- enterosorbent povidone;
- laxative macrogol;
- talc;
- white titanium dioxide dye;
- milk sugar (lactose monohydrate);
- croscarmellose sodium food solvent;
- polyvinyl alcohol (E1203 as a glazing agent).
Losartan regulates blood pressure and prevents blood vessels from narrowing.
Losartan helps restore normal functioning of the entire body:
- regulates blood pressure;
- prevents blood vessels from narrowing;
- relieves tone in the pulmonary arteries;
- reduces myocardial hypertrophy.
Contraindications for use:
- renal artery stenosis;
- diabetes mellitus (due to the presence of lactose in the composition);
- arterial hypotension;
- connective tissue diseases;
- hypersensitivity;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
In case of renal and liver failure, therapy is carried out under the supervision of a physician, starting with minimal doses.
How to take Lozap and Losartan?
The tablets are taken orally, regardless of food intake. Dosages for treatment with Lozap:
- Arterial hypertension - therapy must be started with a minimum dosage of 50 mg (1 tablet with 50 mg of the active ingredient or ½ tablet of 100 mg). To achieve a better effect, the dosage can be gradually increased to 100 mg per day. This amount of the drug is the maximum allowed.
- Patients 75 years of age and older (including those with abnormalities in the thyroid gland) - the dosage is reduced to 25 mg or ½ tablet of 50 mg.
- As a prophylactic agent to prevent diseases of the heart and vascular system - 50 mg per day.
- Nephropathy in people with diabetes - 50 mg per day. After a few weeks of the course, it is recommended to increase the dosage to 100 mg.
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Recommendations for the use of Losartan and dosages depending on the clinical case are identical to the use of the first drug.
Comparison of Lozapa and Losartan
These drugs are analogues, identical in principle of action. They contain the same active ingredient - losartan potassium, the functions of which are aimed at blocking angiotensins, which cause vasoconstriction and an increase in blood pressure (BP). The main differences taken into account when prescribing are the properties of the additional substances included in the composition, on which contraindications and the risk of side effects depend.
Similarities
The main purpose of both drugs is to lower blood pressure. The work of losartan potassium is to disrupt the channel reabsorption of renal electrolytes, increasing the excretion of chlorine and sodium. Through the hydrochlorothiazide produced by the body, the amount of aldosterone increases, renin is activated in the blood plasma, and the potassium content in the serum increases. All ongoing processes lead, ultimately, to the following indicators:
- blood pressure equalizes;
- the load on the heart decreases;
- the size of the heart returns to normal.
Pharmacological action of Lozap and Losartan:
- drug components are easily absorbed by the cells of the gastrointestinal tract;
- metabolism occurs in the liver;
- the highest predominance in blood cells is observed after an hour;
- The drug is excreted unchanged in urine (35%) and bile (60%).
Other similar features:
- the active component losartan potassium is not able to penetrate through the GEF (blood-brain filter) into the central nervous system, protecting sensitive brain cells from toxins;
- the result of course therapy appears within a month;
- the effect lasts for a long period;
- the maximum permissible dosage is 200 mg per day (in several doses).
The same side effects that occur during overdose include:
- development of diarrhea (in 2% of patients);
- myopathy - a connective tissue disease (1%);
- decreased libido.
The same side effects that occur when taking Losartan and Lozap include the development of diarrhea.
What is the difference
The differences between the drugs are much smaller than the similarities, but they must be taken into account when choosing a drug.
Since Lozap contains the diuretic mannitol, the following indications for use must be observed:
- should not be taken together with other diuretics;
- before the course of therapy, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory analysis of EBV indicators (water-electrolyte balance);
- During the treatment itself, it is recommended to regularly check the content of potassium salts in the body.
Losartan has a wider composition of additional components. For this reason, there is a greater likelihood of allergic manifestations, as well as:
- unlike Lozap, the prescription is indicated for complex treatment that uses diuretic drugs;
- Losartan has many analogues, when using which it is necessary to study the additional ingredients in detail;
- Losartan is more affordable.
Medicines are also distinguished by manufacturer. Lozap is produced by the Slovak Republic (Zentiva company), Losartan is a drug produced by the domestic manufacturer Vertex (analogues are supplied by Belarus, Poland, Hungary, India).
Which is cheaper?
- 30 pcs. 12.5 mg - 128 rubles;
- 30 pcs. 50 mg - 273 rubles;
- 60 pcs. 50 mg - 470 rub.;
- 30 pcs. 100 mg - 356 rubles;
- 60 pcs. 100 mg - 580 rub.;
- 90 pcs. 100 mg - 742 rub.
- 30 pcs. 25 mg - 78 rub.;
- 30 pcs. 50 mg - 92 rubles;
- 60 pcs. 50 mg - 137 rubles;
- 30 pcs. 100 mg - 129 rubles;
- 90 pcs. 100 mg - 384 rub.
Side effects of Lozap and Losartan
Negative reaction of the body to taking Losartan:
- common side symptom: attacks of dizziness and drowsiness;
- lymphatic system: anemia;
- mental disorders: depression;
- central nervous system: drowsiness and apathy, headaches and dizziness, migraines;
- immune system: anaphylactic reaction;
- respiratory system: dry cough, shortness of breath;
- skin: itching and redness, urticaria;
- organs of the gastrointestinal tract: pain in the abdomen, nausea, less often vomiting, diarrhea;
- reproductive system: impotence, erectile disorders.
Possible side effects from using Lozap:
- blood and lymphatic system: anemia, less often - thrombocytopenia;
- immune system: Quincke's edema, allergies, extremely rarely - anaphylactic shock;
- psyche: depression;
- central nervous system: migraine, change in taste, insomnia, dizziness, drowsiness;
- vision and hearing: vertigo, ringing in the ears;
- heart: fainting, angina pectoris; extremely rare: circulatory disorders in the brain;
- vascular system: decreased blood pressure;
- respiratory system: shortness of breath;
- digestive system: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, pain in the stomach and abdomen;
- liver: hepatitis, pancreatitis;
- skin: itching, urticaria.
An overdose of Losartan and Lozap can manifest itself as dizziness and tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, fainting and collapse. In the case of a one-time use of a high dose of the drug with side effects, symptomatic therapy is carried out.
First aid is to lay the victim on his back and raise his legs. If necessary, introduce 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Medicines are prescribed to relieve side symptoms and normalize the patient's condition. Recommended measures are gastric lavage, taking sorbent. After stabilizing the patient’s condition, it is necessary to establish control over the main vital signs, and in case of deviations, carry out their medication adjustment.
Reviews from doctors
Andrey, 35 years old, therapist, Magnitogorsk: “We can say that these are 2 identical drugs with different names. They are equally effective in the treatment and prevention of vascular diseases, but have one common drawback - a positive result from their use is possible only in the case of long-term therapy; if the course of treatment is short or interrupted ahead of time, they will not help. Which remedy to choose, if they are identical, is a matter of individual patient preference.”
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Svetlana, 58 years old, cardiologist, Ulyanovsk: “There is no difference between the drugs. When choosing a medicine, you need to take into account the patient's possible intolerance to the auxiliary components. If there are no such contraindications, you can choose a drug based on its cost.”
Which is better Lozap or Losartan
According to experts, these are drugs that are equivalent in their principle of action, differing only in name, price and manufacturer. But they must be taken as prescribed by a doctor, so as not to aggravate the effectiveness of the parallel actions of auxiliary ingredients. The main concerns relate to diuretic supplements. On the advice of Myasnikov A.L. (cardiologist), when choosing antihypertensive drugs, it is necessary to be guided by the level of uric acid in the blood. With its increased content and the use of medications without diuretics, there is a risk of arthrosis.
Patient reviews
Marina, 48 years old, Kursk: “The doctor initially prescribed Lozap, but I decided to buy Losartan, because its price is slightly lower, and the pharmacist at the pharmacy said that it is no less effective than the first. But, as experience has shown, they are not exactly the same, because I didn’t get any particular effect from it, and after a few weeks an allergy began to appear. I had to switch to the more expensive Lozap, which I tolerated well, there were no allergies and no other adverse reactions.”
Kirill, 39 years old, Ivanovo: “At first I took Lozap, then in order to save money, since the course of treatment was going to be long, I switched to Losartan. I did not feel any difference from changing the drug. I decided that it wasn’t worth paying more if both remedies helped equally well and were well tolerated, and I didn’t have any side symptoms.”
Oksana, 51 years old, Kyiv: “My story is about how I decided that expensive means high quality, so instead of Losartan I bought Lozap. It helped, but it just started to cause nausea, dizziness, and a skin rash. When the doctor prescribed Losartan, which at first I didn’t really trust because of its low price, I didn’t have any side effects. And it even seemed that it was more effective than Lozap.”
