Let's take a minute and talk about your medication. 

This is losartan and hydrochlorothiazide. This medicine lowers high blood pressure. This may reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. It may have other uses, too. 

You should take this medicine exactly how your doctor tells you to. You can take it with or without food. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. At first, or if your doctor increases your dose, you might feel a little dizzy or tired. People who have diabetes should watch for changes to your blood sugar. You should wait until you know how this medicine affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. Other common side effects include a stuffy nose, the common cold, back pain, and diarrhea. These effects are normal if they are mild and should go away. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

As with any medicine, more serious effects could occur. With this medicine, these include allergic reactions, kidney problems, eye problems and lupus. To help keep this medicine safe for you, you should read the patient information sheet. 

This medicine can interact with other medicines. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines, especially pain relievers called NSAIDs. Also, you should ask your doctor if you can eat or drink foods that have a lot of potassium, like salt substitutes.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids. Tell your doctor if you suddenly lose a lot of fluid from diarrhea, vomiting or sweating.

This medicine is not safe for unborn babies. Women should check with their doctors before becoming pregnant and before breastfeeding.

For best results, follow your doctor's advice about checking your own blood pressure.