Cardiovascular issues are among the most widespread conditions Americans suffer from.

With more than 2000 Americans encountering a fatal outcome because of cardiovascular problems, nobody should be surprised why medications that tackle these are the most prescribed ones in the country.

With Losartan in the top 10 issued medications in the country, every individual who suffers from these issues should consult with a medical professional before considering this one.

Let us see what we know about Losartan.

What You Should Know About It?

Losartan is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs. It helps reduce blood pressure in adults by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II – a chemical in our body that narrows the blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

Losartan is one of the most frequently prescribed medications in the United States. In 2021, there were more than 55 million prescriptions. Sold under the brand name Cozaar, it is commonly used to treat high blood pressure in adults. The medication comes in strengths of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg, usually as a tablet.

Both brand name and generic are used to treat high blood pressure in addition to several other less common conditions.

What Is Used For

Generally, Losartan is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension)^[1]. However, it may also be used for several less common conditions including:

• Lowering the chance of stroke in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), according to Am J Cardiovasc Drugs.^[2]
• To slow the worsening of diabetic kidney disease in patients with Type 2 diabetes who have or had high blood pressure

It is not used with women who are pregnant as it can cause harm or death to the unborn baby.

Is Losartan a Beta Blocker or ACE Inhibitor

Losartan is not a beta blocker or an ACE inhibitor. Instead, it belongs to a class of medications called ARBs or angiotensin receptor blockers. ARBs work by blocking the AT1 receptors found on various tissues throughout the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.

As a result of this, ARBs are able to reduce the effects of angiotensin II which include narrowing of the blood vessels (vasoconstriction).

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors reduce the effect of angiotensin but through a slightly different mechanism. While ARBs block the receptors that angiotensin II binds to, ACE inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II, reducing the amount available for binding.

A patient will not be prescribed ARBs and ACE inhibitors at the same time. However, always talk with your doctor before you start, stop, or make any change to a medication regimen.

Dosage

Losartan dosage comes in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg strength. Your dosage will vary depending on age, current health condition, as well as the purpose of the medication. However, most doctors will prescribe the lowest amount they believe will be effective for the patient.

What is a good dosage for seniors?

Losartan is one of the first options for the treatment of high blood pressure in the elderly.^[3]

since it is one of the safest options. Generally, seniors tolerate it well and experience minimal side effects. Seniors also typically start with a dose of 25mg or 50mg. The prescriber may adjust this dose as necessary to achieve results and minimize side effects.

How Long Does It Take To Work

Losartan will begin working in the body within an hour of taking it, however, it takes between 3 and 6 weeks^[4] to reach maximum efficacy. During this time your body will be adjusting to the medication so it is important to contact your doctor if you experience any side effects.

Most people will not feel a difference as the medication begins to work. They usually feel the same and only notice a difference in their actual blood pressure measurements. The best way to gauge if the medication is working is by tracking your blood pressure over time.

How Long Does Stay In Your System

Losartan stays in your system for about 24 hours with 100mg tablets, while lower strengths don’t last as long.

As is the case for all oral medications, we say “about 24 hrs” because everyone’s metabolism is different.

Liver damage will also impact how long it stays in your system since it is metabolized by the liver.

For example, if a patient has end-stage renal disease or congestive heart failure, the body will eliminate losartan faster.

What are the Side Effects?

Overall, losartan is a pretty well-tolerated medication with minimal side effects.

The most common losartan side effects include^[5]:

• upper respiratory infection
• dizziness
• stuffy nose
• back pain

These side effects are generally mild and go away with time. If you are experiencing side effects that won’t go away or cause concern you should talk with your doctor.

If you are experiencing any of these side effects, call your doctor right away. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1 for immediate attention.

Final Words

Your doctor is the best resource to determine what you can take instead of losartan. Common alternatives include diuretics, with the most common being a thiazide diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide. Other options may include alternative blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers.

If you have questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best option for your individual needs.

References:

1. Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology: Efficacy and Tolerability of Losartan in Patients with Essential Hypertension: a Multicenter, Double-Blind Comparison of Losartan with Metoprolol – https://www.kup.at/kup/pdf/5574.pdf

2. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs: Losartan: in the reduction of stroke risk in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14728071/

3. Drugs Aging: Losartan: a review of its use, with special focus on elderly patients – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10803861/

4. MedSafe.nz – https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/l/losartanactavistab.pdf

5. SingleCare: Losartan side effects and how to avoid them – https://www.singlecare.com/blog/losartan-side-effects/