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Cozaar and Swollen Tongue

Q. My blood pressure medicine was recently switched to Cozaar. After taking my pills this morning my mouth and tongue swelled up so I could barely talk. Could my medicine have done this?

A. Cozaar (losartan) is a very effective blood pressure medicine with relatively few side effects. Some people, however, are susceptible to a reaction called angioedema. Typically, this is characterized by swelling of the mouth, tongue and throat. It can rapidly turn into a life-threatening emergency if the airway becomes blocked.

Certain other blood pressure drugs such as Accupril (quinapril), Altace (ramipril), Benicar (olmesartan), Diovan (valsartan), enalapril and lisinopril can also trigger angioedema. Please let your doctor know about this serious reaction immediately.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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