The NHS has issued a caution that a "widely used" medication might not be appropriate for everyone. Losartan, frequently given to treat elevated blood pressure, could present dangers for certain people.

Losartan belongs to acategory of medications called angiotensin receptor blockers(ARBs). Beyond treating raised blood pressure (hypertension), it's also prescribed for heart failure, kidney conditions and diabetic kidney disease.

It works by relaxing and widening your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

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The NHS states that "most" adults from 18 years onwards are able to take losartan. However, the health service cautioned: "Losartan is not suitable for some people."

Therefore, you must inform your GP if you:

• Have previously experienced an allergic reaction to losartan or any other medication


• Suffer from diabetes


• Experience heart, liver or kidney complications


• Have recently undergone a kidney transplant


• Have experienced diarrhoea or vomiting whilst taking losartan


• Have been following a reduced sodium diet


• Suffer from low blood pressure (hypotension)


• Are attempting to conceive, are currently pregnant or are breastfeeding

As with most medications, losartan carries the possibility of adverse reactions. Several of these are categorised as "common" since they affect more than one in 100 patients.

These include:

• Feeling dizzy


• Headaches


• Feeling sick (nausea)


• Being sick (vomiting)


• Diarrhoea


• Pain in your joints or muscles

The NHS further stated: "It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects after taking losartan." You should immediately contact a doctor or dial 111 if:

• The whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this can be a sign of liver problems


• You get severe stomach pain – this can be a sign of an inflamed pancreas


• Your skin becomes more pale than usual, you feel tired, faint or dizzy, get purple spots (that come from superficial bleeding into the skin), show any sign of bleeding, or have a sore throat and high temperature – these can be signs of a blood or bone marrow disorder


• You feel weak, have an irregular heartbeat, pins and needles and muscle cramps – these can be signs of changes in the potassium levels in your blood

In rare instances, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to losartan. In such cases, you should "call 999 now" if:

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen


• You're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)


• Your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow


• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)


• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy


• Someone faints and cannot be woken up


• A child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)


• You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling

The NHS stated: "These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital."

The NHS further advised: "Always take losartan exactly as your doctor has told you, and follow the directions on the label. If you're not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist."

For additional information, visit the NHS website here.