Q: What is left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)?

A: LVH is an enlargement of the walls of the left chamber of the heart (the heart’s main pumping chamber). LVH can happen from several things. High blood pressure (BP) is the most common cause of LVH because the chamber walls grow bigger as the heart works harder to pump blood throughout the body. (see diagram)

Many people with severe high BP also have LVH. If you have high BP and LVH, COZAAR can lower your BP AND reduce your chance of having a stroke.

COZAAR is proven to:

• Lower high blood pressure (BP)
  • If you have high BP, COZAAR can help relax your blood vessels and lower your BP
• Lower the chance of stroke
  • If you have high BP and a heart problem called left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), COZAAR can reduce your chance of having a stroke. COZAAR may not help black patients lower their chance of having a stroke.
  • COZAAR is the only medicine in its class proven to lower the chance of stroke.
• Slow the worsening of kidney disease
  • If you have type 2 diabetes with decreased kidney function and you have high BP, COZAAR can delay the development of serious kidney disease.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Do not take COZAAR if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of COZAAR. (See Patient Product Information for a complete list of ingredients.)

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant or if you are breast-feeding, it is not known if COZAAR passes into your breast milk. You should choose either to take COZAAR or breast-feed, but not both. You should also tell your doctor if you are vomiting a lot or having a lot of diarrhea, have liver problems, or have kidney problems.

Possible serious side effects of COZAAR include injury or death to your unborn baby, allergic reaction, low blood pressure, and a worsening of kidney function in people who already have kidney problems.

COZAAR may cause the following side effects that may be serious:

• Injury or death of unborn babies.
• Allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue. Get emergency medical help right away and stop taking COZAAR.
• Low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure may cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Lie down if your feel faint or dizzy. Call your doctor right away.
• For people who already have kidney problems, you may see a worsening in how well your kidneys work. Call your doctor if you get swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands, or unexplained weight gain.

The most common side effects of COZAAR in people with high blood pressure are colds (upper respiratory infection), dizziness, stuffy nose, and back pain.

The most common side effects of COZAAR in people with type 2 diabetes with diabetic kidney disease are diarrhea, tiredness, low blood sugar, chest pain, high blood potassium, and low blood pressure.

Do not take COZAAR if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. COZAAR can harm your unborn baby causing injury and even death. Stop taking COZAAR if you become pregnant and call your doctor right away.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see Patient Product Information and physician Prescribing Information.

COZAAR is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Delaware, USA.