No doubt you have heard of the drug Hyzaar, commonly prescribed by doctors for patients suffering from hypertension, or high blood pressure. As we encounter seemingly more and more stress in our ever hectic lives, the number of people succumbing to high blood pressure increases. There are several solutions being offered to us, Hyzaar generally is at the top of many doctors’ recommended list. However before starting on a course of treatment, it is a good idea to ask a few pertinent questions of this drug – is it for me, what must I know about taking it, where should I store it and what about any side effects?



Is Hyzaar for me?

Hyzaar is made from two “components" - part Water Pill (Thiazide Diuretic) and part Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist. As with all such treatments if you are a breastfeeding mother, or pregnant with your unborn child, this medication is not for you. The risk of damage to your baby is too great and you should look for another solution. If you have any of the conditions in the list below, then the best advice would be to avoid Hyzaar:

•Allergies to Losartan or Hydrochlorothiazide

•Diabetes

•Asthma

•Liver or Kidney Disease

•Unusually excessive or insufficient levels of potassium in the blood

•Congestive Heart Failure

•Lupus

•Gout

If you have any doubts, always discuss things first with your doctor.

What should I know about taking Hyzaar?

Never deviate from your doctor’s instructions. Take exactly the dosage that has been recommended for you and do not take it for a longer period of time than has been advised. This medication should always be taken together with a full glass of water and you should monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis. Hyzaar has shown itself to be pretty effective and you may well find yourself feeling much better before the treatment has finished. However, never be tempted to finish the course early – always complete the full duration.

Where should I store Hyzaar?

Obviously keep it out of reach of children, other than that storage at normal room temperature is fine; it does not need to be kept refrigerated. Do remember to keep it away from areas of extreme dampness or heat.

How about the side effects?

There is no drug that cannot potentially cause side effects. In the case of Hyzaar, these are rare but it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with them so that you can recognize the symptoms. Some are minor and do not require you to stop the treatment but you should discuss these with your doctor. These include

•Dry cough

•Skin rash

•Pain in the stomach or back

•Bouts of dizziness

•Nasal problems – dry or runny nose

The following are much more serious; if any of these happen to you stop taking the drug immediately and see your doctor:

•Breathing difficulties

•Allergic reactions

•Dry mouth combined with nausea or drowsiness

•Sudden and rapid increase in weight

•Fainting

•Jaundice

•Excessive or insufficient urinating

Again it must be stressed such instances are very rare, the majority of patients suffer no adverse reactions of any kind, but it the above list is included for the sake of completion.

Conclusions

So to finish this article, out of all the different drugs recommended to lower blood pressure you will be aware that Hyzaar has a good reputation. While all prescription drugs should be treated cautiously and with good common sense, anecdotal evidence suggests this is a very effective and fast treatment. You should find it to be sufficiently satisfactory in restoring your blood pressure back to normal levels.