ZARTAN CO : Uses, Safety Instructions And Side Effects

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ZARTAN CO, a medicine used to manage high blood pressure. This article is written to help you understand what ZARTAN CO is, how it works, how to take it safely, and what side effects you may experience. Please read this carefully and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

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1. What it Is and What It Is Used For

ZARTAN CO is a combination medicine containing losartan potassium (an angiotensin II receptor blocker) and hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic or water pill). Together, these ingredients help lower high blood pressure (hypertension) by relaxing blood vessels and removing excess fluid from the body. This helps reduce your risk of heart disease, strokes, and kidney problems.

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2. What You Need to Know Before You Take ZARTAN CO

When Not to Take ZARTAN CO

Do not take ZARTAN CO if:

• You’re allergic to losartan, hydrochlorothiazide, or sulpha drugs.
• You’ve had skin cancers like basal or squamous cell carcinoma.
• You have kidney or liver problems, or cannot urinate.
• You suffer from angioedema (swelling under the skin).
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You have certain heart or blood vessel disorders.
• You’re using lithium or specific diuretics that increase potassium.
• You have untreated imbalances of potassium, sodium, or calcium.
• You are under 18 years old (safety in children not established).

Warnings and Precautions

Let your doctor know if:

• You’ve had dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhoea recently.
• You have diabetes, high cholesterol, or gout.
• You’re taking diuretics or lithium.
• You’re black, as the medicine might be less effective.
• You have asthma, lung disorders, or a history of skin cancer.
• You suffer from heart failure or adrenal gland issues.

Use extra care when taking the first dose—dizziness may occur.

Other Medicines and ZARTAN CO

Tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you take. ZARTAN CO can interact with:

• Antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin)
• Blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors, aliskiren)
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen)
• Diabetes medicines
• Lithium
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs
• Steroids, sedatives, alcohol
• Cancer treatments
• Medicines for gout, depression, seizures, and asthma

ZARTAN CO with Food and Drink

You can take ZARTAN CO with or without food.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Fertility

Do not use ZARTAN CO if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while on this medicine, tell your doctor immediately. It may harm your baby. Women of childbearing age should use contraception while on this medicine.

Driving and Using Machines

ZARTAN CO may cause dizziness, especially when starting treatment. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.

ZARTAN CO Contains Lactose

If you have lactose intolerance or galactose intolerance, avoid this medicine. It also may affect blood sugar in people with diabetes.

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3. How to Take ZARTAN CO

Adult Dosage

Always follow your doctor’s instructions. The typical starting dose is:

• ZARTAN CO 50/12.5 once a day.
  If needed, your doctor may increase it to:
• ZARTAN CO 100/25 once a day or two 50/12.5 tablets.

It may take up to 3 weeks to see full blood pressure control.

Children

ZARTAN CO is not recommended for children.

If You Take Too Much

If you accidentally take too much, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms may include:

• Low blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalances

If You Forget a Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it’s close to your next dose, skip the missed one. Don’t take a double dose.

If You Stop Taking ZARTAN CO

High blood pressure may return if you stop suddenly. Continue treatment as prescribed to reduce long-term risks.

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4. Possible Side Effects

ZARTAN CO may cause side effects, although not everyone will get them.

Serious Side Effects (Seek Immediate Help)

• Swelling of face, lips, hands, or throat (angioedema)
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain or heart attack symptoms
• Kidney issues (low urine output)
• Liver problems (yellow skin/eyes, dark urine)
• Skin cancer (non-melanoma)
• Severe skin rashes or peeling (e.g., TEN)
• Electrolyte imbalances (muscle weakness, confusion, seizures)
• Severe allergic reactions or infections (agranulocytosis)

Frequent Side Effects

• Cough, sore throat, nasal congestion
• Headaches, dizziness, tiredness
• Stomach upset, indigestion, nausea
• Muscle cramps, leg pain
• Sleep problems, low blood sugar

Less Frequent Side Effects

• Anaemia or low blood counts
• Gout, appetite loss, depression
• Blurred vision, pink eye
• Ringing in the ears, vertigo
• Rash, itching, joint pain
• Frequent urination or urinary infections
• Sexual dysfunction, fever

Unknown Frequency

• Constipation, flatulence, vomiting
• Salivary gland inflammation
• Vision changes, red facial rash
• Flu-like symptoms or unexplained fatigue

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5. How to Store ZARTAN CO

• Keep out of reach of children.
• Store below 25°C, away from light and moisture.
• Do not use after the expiry date.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy.
• Never flush medicines down the toilet or sink.

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6. What ZARTAN CO Contains

Each tablet contains:

• ZARTAN CO 50/12.5: 50 mg losartan, 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide
• ZARTAN CO 100/25: 100 mg losartan, 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide

Other ingredients include:

• Lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, and a yellow film coating made with hypromellose and titanium oxide.

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7. What ZARTAN CO Looks Like and Who Makes It

• ZARTAN CO 50/12.5: Round, yellow tablets (7.5 mm diameter)
• ZARTAN CO 100/25: Round, yellow tablets (10.5 mm diameter)

Packaging: 30 tablets in blister packs (3 strips of 10).
Manufacturer: Pharma Dynamics (Pty) Ltd
Location: Steenberg Office Park, Cape Town, South Africa

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Sources:

1. ChEBI – Chemical Entities of Biological Interest
   https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=CHEBI:6541
   https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chebi/searchId.do?chebiId=6541
2. Human Metabolome Database (HMDB)
   http://www.hmdb.ca/metabolites/HMDB0014816
3. KEGG Drug Database
   http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bget?drug:D08146
4. KEGG Compound Database
   http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bget?cpd:C07072
5. PubChem Compound Summary
   https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=3961
   https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?sid=46506538
6. ChemSpider – Chemical Structure Database
   https://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.3824.html
7. BindingDB – Binding Affinity Data
   http://www.bindingdb.org/bind/chemsearch/marvin/MolStructure.jsp?monomerid=82258
8. RxNav (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
   https://mor.nlm.nih.gov/RxNav/search?searchBy=RXCUI&searchTerm=52175
9. ChEMBL – Bioactivity Database
   https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chembldb/index.php/compound/inspect/CHEMBL191
10. ZINC Database
    https://zinc.docking.org/substances/ZINC000003873160
11. Traditional Chinese Medicine Database (TCM Database@Taiwan)
    http://bidd.nus.edu.sg/group/cjttd/ZFTTDDRUG.asp?ID=DAP000523
12. PharmGKB – Pharmacogenomics Knowledgebase
    http://www.pharmgkb.org/drug/PA450268
13. IUPHAR/BPS Guide to PHARMACOLOGY
    http://www.guidetopharmacology.org/GRAC/LigandDisplayForward?ligandId=590
14. PDBeChem – Protein Data Bank Europe
    https://www.ebi.ac.uk/pdbe-srv/pdbechem/chemicalCompound/show/LSN
15. RxList – Losartan Monograph
    http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/losar.htm
16. Drugs.com – Losartan Overview
    https://www.drugs.com/cdi/losartan.html
17. Wikipedia – Losartan
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Losartan

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For any further questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take control of your health by staying informed and using your medication safely and effectively.