Q: My mother was taking Losar (20) for her heart ailment 1-0-1 along with other medications. Now the doctor has asked her to take Losar-H instead. Please tell me what difference it makes?

A:Losar is a brand name; the name of the medicine is losartan. Similarly Losar-H is the brand name. It contains two medicines: losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic that increases production of urine). It is preferable to control high BP with one medicine, if possible. In elderly patients we prefer long-acting, slow release indapamide (such as Indicontin Continus just one tablet daily in the morning) due to its dual action. Only if the patient does not respond to one medicine alone should one add second medicine. More medicines cause more side effects.