What is losartan/HCTZ?
Losartan/hctz ( Hyzaar) is an inexpensive drug used to treat high blood pressure. This medicine may also reduce the risk of stroke in certain patients. This drug is more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in brand and generic form.
What drug tier is losartan typically on?
What drug tier is losartan typically on? Medicare prescription drug plans typically list losartan on Tier 1 of their formulary. Generally, the higher the tier, the more you have to pay for the medication. Most plans have 5 tiers.
Does Medicare cover losartan?
In the Post-Donut Hole (also called Catastrophic Coverage) stage, Medicare should cover most of the cost of your drug. Want an exact price for your co-pay? Here are some ways that may lower the cost of your losartan prescription. Save at least $5 per month on your prescription.
What is the dose-response relationship between hydrochlorothiazide and losartan?
Another study investigated the dose-response relationship of various doses of hydrochlorothiazide (6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg) or placebo on a background of losartan (50 mg) in patients not adequately controlled (Sitting Diastolic Blood Pressure [SiDBP] 93-120 mmHg) on losartan (50 mg) alone.
Is losartan covered by Medicare?
Yes! 100% of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans cover Losartan. Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PD).
What category does losartan belong to?
Losartan is in a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor antagonists.
What tier is hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg?
What drug tier is hydrochlorothiazide typically on? Medicare prescription drug plans typically list hydrochlorothiazide on Tier 1 of their formulary.
What is a Tier 3 prescription drug?
Tier 1: Least expensive drug options, often generic drugs. Tier 2: Higher price generic and lower-price brand-name drugs. Tier 3: Mainly higher price brand-name drugs. Tier 4: Highest cost prescription drugs.
What is the difference between losartan and losartan HCTZ?
Losartan relaxes the blood vessels and lowers the blood pressure. A lower blood pressure will increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) . It reduces the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine, which helps lower the blood pressure.
Why was losartan taken off the market?
Why were these products recalled? Losartan was recalled due to impurities found while testing finished products. The impurity found in these batches is N-Methylnitrosobutyric acid (NMBA). This is the third type of impurity to cause recalls of these medications.
How much is losartan at Walgreens?
Average 12 Month Prices for Cozaar (Brand) & Losartan Potassium (Generic)PharmacyCozaar Retail PriceLosartan Potassium SingleCare PriceWalgreens$152.88$21.69Kroger Pharmacy$140.25$14.06Albertsons Pharmacy-$12.35Rite Aid Pharmacy$158.00$26.212 more rows
How do you know what tier a drug is?
The easiest way to find out what tier your drugs are in is by using your plan's drug list. When you look up a drug, the second column of the drug list will show you what tier it's in. You can find out more about how to read a drug list in our Help Center. Find your plan's drug list.
What drugs are Tier 5?
Tier 5 - Nonpreferred Specialty: In Tier 5 are nonpreferred specialty drugs that likely have a more cost-effective generic or preferred alternative available. Tier 5 has the highest copayment for specialty drugs. In some cases, they may not be covered.
What are Tier 4 prescription drugs?
Copayment Definitions for the Six-Tier FormulariesTier 1The prescription drug tier which consists of the lowest cost tier of prescription drugs, most are generic.Tier 4The prescription drug tier which consists of the higher-cost prescription drugs, most are brand-name prescription drugs, and some specialty drugs.5 more rows
What are the 4 standardized levels of Medicare prescription drug coverage?
Throughout the year, your prescription drug plan costs may change depending on the coverage stage you are in. If you have a Part D plan, you move through the CMS coverage stages in this order: deductible (if applicable), initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic coverage.
What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 insurance?
Tier 1 usually includes a select network of providers that have agreed to provide services at a lower cost for you and your covered family members. Tier 2 provides you the option to choose a provider from the larger network of contracted PPO providers, but you may pay more out-of-pocket costs.
Does Medicare cover Losartan-HCTZ or Hyzaar?
Yes! 100% of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans cover Losartan-HCTZ. 1
Average costs for Losartan-HCTZ with Medicare drug coverage 1
Your copay and deductible costs for any prescription drug can vary depending on what coverage stage you’re in.
Additional information
When you take Losartan-HCTZ, you probably won’t be able to immediately feel the benefits from this medication.
Ways to Save on Losartan
Here are some ways that may lower the cost of your losartan prescription.
Losartan Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Formulary Information & Restrictions
Medicare prescription drug plans typically list losartan on Tier 1 of their formulary. Generally, the higher the tier, the more you have to pay for the medication. Most plans have 5 tiers.
Does Medicare cover Losartan or Cozaar?
Yes! 100% of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans cover Losartan. 1
Average costs for Losartan with Medicare drug coverage 1
Your copay and deductible costs for any prescription drug can vary depending on what coverage stage you’re in.
Additional information
You can take losartan with or without food. If you experience side effects, taking it with food may help.
What OTC medications raise blood pressure?
Talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids. Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
How to avoid passing out from hydrochlorothiazide?
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how losartan and hydrochlorothiazide affects you. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
How long does it take for hydrochlorothiazide to cause eye pain?
If left untreated, this can lead to lasting eyesight loss. If eye problems happen, signs like change in eyesight or eye pain most often happen within hours to weeks of starting losartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Call your doctor right away if you have these signs.
Can hydrochlorothiazide cause you to pass urine?
Keep taking losartan and hydrochlorothiazide as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well. This medicine may cause you to pass urin e more often. To keep from having sleep problems, try not to take too close to bedtime.
Does hydrochlorothiazide make Lupus worse?
If you have lupus, losartan and hydrochlorothiazide can make your lupus active or get worse. Tell your doctor right away if you get any new or worse signs. This medicine may not work as well in black patients. Talk with the doctor. If you are 65 or older, use losartan and hydrochlorothiazide with care.
Can you share your losartan with others?
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Can colestipol cause low blood pressure?
This may lead to low blood pressure . If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, talk with your pharmacist about how to take them with losartan and hydrochlorothiazide. Watch for gout attacks. This medicine may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Talk with the doctor.
How many mg of Losartan are in a tablet?
Losartan Potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets, 50/12.5 mg, Losartan Potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets, 100/12.5 mg and Losartan Potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets, 100/25 mg combine an angiotensin II receptor blocker acting on the AT 1 receptor subtype and a diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide.
What is the purpose of Losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide?
Losartan Potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular (CV) events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarction.
What is the effect of Losartan on blood pressure?
The losartan ingredient in Losartan Potassium and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets can help your blood vessels relax so your blood pressure is lower.
What is the role of angiotensin II in hypertension?
Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)], is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the renin-angiotensin system and an important component in the pathophysiology of hypertension. It also stimulates aldosterone secretion by the adrenal cortex. Losartan and its principal active metabolite block the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT 1 receptor found in many tissues (e.g., vascular smooth muscle, adrenal gland). There is also an AT 2 receptor found in many tissues but it is not known to be associated with cardiovascular homeostasis. Neither losartan nor its principal active metabolite exhibits any partial agonist activity at the AT 1 receptor, and both have much greater affinity (about 1000-fold) for the AT 1 receptor than for the AT 2 receptor. In vitro binding studies indicate that losartan is a reversible, competitive inhibitor of the AT 1 receptor. The active metabolite is 10 to 40 times more potent by weight than losartan and appears to be a reversible, non-competitive inhibitor of the AT 1 receptor.
Does losartan interact with digoxin?
Losartan Potassium. No clinically significant drug interactions have been found in studies of losartan potassium with hydrochlorothiazide, digoxin, warfarin, cimetidine and phenobarbital. However, rifampin has been shown to decrease the AUC of losartan and its active metabolite by 30% and 40%, respectively.
Does Losartan affect bradykinin?
Removal of the negative feedback of angiotensin II causes a doubling to tripling in plasma renin activity and consequent rise in angiotensin II plasma concentration in hypertensive patients. Losartan does not affect the response to bradykinin, whereas ACE inhibitors increase the response to bradykinin. Aldosterone plasma concentrations fall following losartan administration. In spite of the effect of losartan on aldosterone secretion, very little effect on serum potassium was observed.
Is losartan excreted in human milk?
It is not known whether losartan is excreted in human milk, but significant levels of losartan and its active metabolite were shown to be present in rat milk. Thiazides appear in human milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects on the nursing infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
What is the three tier pharmacy benefit?
To help maintain affordability in the pharmacy benefit, we encourage the use of cost-effective drugs and preferred brand names through the three-tier program. This program gives you and your doctor the opportunity to work together to find a prescription medication that's affordable and appropriate for you.
What is generic drug?
Generic drugs have the same active ingredients and come in the same strengths and dosage forms as the equivalent brand-name drug. Multiple manufacturers may produce the same generic drug and the product may differ from its brand name counterpart in color, size or shape, but the differences do not alter the effectiveness. Generic versions of brand-name drugs are reviewed and approved by the FDA. The FDA works closely with all pharmaceutical companies to make sure that all drugs sold in the U.S. meet appropriate standards for strength, quality, and purity.
What is generic focused formulary?
The Generic Focused Formulary, which is the formulary used in our Select Network and/or Connector Plans differs from other Tufts Health Plan formularies. Most generic drugs are covered, and only select brand name drugs that have no generic drug equivalent are covered. Brand name drugs with generic equivalents are not covered under this formulary. If the patent of a brand name drug listed expires and a generic version becomes available, the brand will no longer be covered. This change will happen automatically and without notification to members or providers. GFF Formulary
Does Tufts Health Plan cover prescription drugs?
Because of potential safety and utilization concerns, Tufts Health Plan has placed quantity limitations on some prescription drugs. You are covered for up to the amount posted in our list of covered drugs. These quantities are based on recognized standards of care as well as from FDA-approved dosing guidelines. If your provider believes it is necessary for you to take more than the QL amount posted on the list, he or she may submit a request for coverage under the Medical Review Process.
Does Tufts Health Plan cover pharmacy?
Tufts Health Plan has pharmacy programs in place to help manage the pharmacy benefit. Requests for medically necessary review for coverage of drugs included in the New-to-Market Drug Evaluation Process (NTM), Prior Authorization Program (PA), Step Therapy Prior Authorization Program (STPA), Quantity Limitations Program (QL), Non-Covered Drugs (NC) With Suggested Alternatives Program should be completed by the physician and sent to Tufts Health Plan. Drugs excluded under your pharmacy benefit will not be covered through this process. The request must include clinical information that supports why the drug is medically necessary for you. Tufts Health Plan will approve the request if it meets coverage guidelines. If Tufts Health Plan does not approve the request, you have the right to appeal. The appeal process is described in your benefit document.
Does Tufts Health Plan cover over the counter medications?
When a medication with the same active ingredient or a modified version of an active ingredient that is therapeutically equivalent, becomes available over-the-counter, Tufts Health Plan may exclude coverage of the specific medication or all of the prescription drugs in the class. For more information, please call our Member Services Department at the number listed on the back of your member identification card.
Why is Sandoz recalling losartan?
Sandoz, a pharmaceutical company, says it is recalling a single lot of losartan potassium hydrochlorothiazide tablets because the pills could contain an impurity known as N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). From the FDA.gov website:
Why is Losartan being recalled?
Losartan Latest Blood Pressure Drug Recalled For Cancer Risk. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) announced a recall of Losartan over concerns that possible contamination could cause cancer. This is the third such recall of blood pressure medications issued over cancer concerns.
Can you take losartan without an alternative?
What You Should Do. Patients who are on losartan should continue taking their medication. They may be more likely to be harmed if the treatment is stopped without an alternative. The risk of not using the prescribed medication could be greater than the possible cancer risk, according to the Nov. 8 recall notice.