Loniten and/or Equivalents

Loniten

Loniten Drug Description

Loniten is the brand name of a prescription drug that belongs to the group of medicines commonly known as vasodilators. It is extensively administered in the control of extremely high blood pressure that cannot be controlled with other medications. High blood pressure is a life-threatening condition that can damage the blood vessels, kidneys, heart and brain if left untreated for too long. Loniten works be reducing the pressure on the blood vessels and relaxing them so that blood can pass through them more easily. This reduces the blood pressure. It is seen that after an initial dose of Loniten, blood pressure gradually starts reducing within thirty minutes. Loniten is a tablet that is available in two strengths of 10mg and 2.5mg. The 10mg tablet is a round shaped, white in colour, scored and imprinted with LONITEN 10. The 2.5mg tablet is also round, white coloured, scored and imprinted with U/121 and 2 ½. The tablets are available in bottles containing hundred tablets each. Loniten is presented by the Pharmacia & Upjohn Company.

Conditions Treated by Loniten

Loniten is prescribed concomitantly with diuretics, beta-blockers or sympathetic nervous system suppressants in order to reduce severely high blood pressure. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Loniten acts by widening and relaxing the arterioles (small arteries of your body). This helps to ease the pressure inside these small arteries and lowers your overall blood pressure to normal level. The medication is indicated only for extremely high conditions of hypertension that can lead to organ damage and is not generally prescribed in the treatment of mild hypertension. The tablet is administered to adults, children and infants and must be taken orally.

Loniten Dosage Information

a.) Typical dosage recommendations

Typical starting dose in adults (patients above twelve years of age) is 5mg which is to be taken as two 2.5 mg tablets twice daily. In case your blood pressure does not reduce to the desired level, your physician will increase your daily dosage of Loniten to 10mg after three days, 20mg after the next three days and up to 40mg over the next three days. The maximum recommended dosage is 100mg daily to be given as single or divided doses throughout the day at regular intervals as decided by your physician. In case of paediatric patients (below twelve years of age) the typical dosage is calculated by your physician considering the body weight of the child or infant. Typically, the initial dose of Loniten in paediatric patients is 0.2mg per kg of body weight to be administered as a single dose once daily. Your physician may increase the dosage to fifty percent and up to hundred percent until the desired level of blood pressure is achieved. Usually, effective dosage is between 0.25mg and 1mg per kg of body weight per day. The dosage can be extended up to 50mg per kg of body weight per day.

b.) Missing a dose

In case you have missed your daily dose of Loniten, you must take it whenever you remember. However, never take two doses together in order to compensate for the missed dose. It if it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosage schedule.

Contact your nearest emergency facility or poison centre in case you have overdosed Loniten. Typical symptoms of Loniten overdose include fast heart beat (tachycardia), dizziness, extremely low blood pressure (hypotension), headache and irregular heart rate (arrhythmia). It is important for you to seek immediate medical help in case of Loniten overdose as you will require urgent treatment to reduce the amount of medicine absorbed into your bloodstream. You will also need immediate treatment of the symptoms associated with Loniten overdose.

Loniten Warnings

Minoxidil, the main ingredient in Loniten is a strong antihypertensive and can have serious repercussions on your health. It may lead to pericardial effusion or symptoms of angina pectoris may aggravate. It is therefore vital for your doctor to know everything about your present health condition and previous medical history before prescribing Loniten for you. The medication is prescribed only when your hypertension shows no signs of abating even after treatment with diuretics and other hypertensive agents. Before prescribing Loniten, your physician should know if you are allergic to minoxidil, if you are suffering from pulmonary hypertension caused due to narrowing of the mitral valve opening (mitral stenosis) or if you have pheochromocytoma (caused by a type of tumour). You may need special monitoring while taking Loniten if you have a history of cardiac disorders, stroke, chest pain or if you are suffering from any hepatic disorder. Discuss thoroughly with your doctor how Loniten may affect your condition, its dosage, adverse effects and if it safe for you to take this medication. Taking Loniten may lead to fluid accumulation in your body that can cause congestive cardiac disorders. Contact your physician immediately if you observe in swelling in your wrists, ankles and feet or if you experience any difficulty in breathing. Monitor your weight regularly and inform your physician if you see an increase of 5lbs in your weight (2lbs in case of children). You may then require a diuretic to control your condition. Inform your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as he/she may then prescribe Loniten only after weighing the risk factors vis-a-vis the benefits to your health.

Loniten Side Effects

Like other medications, Loniten too has its side effects though these may not be exhibited in equal measure in all patients. Also, the side effects experienced may be permanent or temporary, severe or mild depending on individual patient condition. In general, the side effects of Loniten include the following:

• Tenderness in breast in both male and female
• Increased hair growth on the back, arms and face
• Bloating
• Itching and rash
• Swelling in the ankles, feet or wrists
• Severe skin reaction like blisters or redness
• Rapid weight gain
• Dizziness
• Feeling of lightheadedness
• Irregular heart rate
• Difficulty in breathing
• Symptoms of an imminent cardiac attack like pain in the chest, arms or shoulder

Loniten Drug Interactions

Loniten may react with several other medications like beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, enzyme inhibitors, nitrates, guanethidine etc. It can also react with other non-prescription drugs you are taking presently including vitamins, herbal supplements, dietary supplements or with alcohol, nicotine, coffee, street drugs etc. Your doctor should therefore know if you are taking any of the above before prescribing Loniten.

If you have any questions about buying discount Loniten online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Loniten and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information