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Losartan
Losartan is a medication that is prescribed to treat diabetic nephropathy and high blood pressure. The drug works by decreasing the effectiveness of a certain chemical in the body; this causes the blood vessels to relax, which can result in lower blood pressure. Possible side effects include infection, diarrhea, fatigue, and dizziness. The medication comes in tablet form and is available in several strengths, including 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.
Losartan potassium (Cozaar®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It is part of a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs for short.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with losartan. However, not everyone who takes the medicine will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
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The most common side effects of losartan in people with high blood pressure include:
- Infection, such as the common cold or flu
- Dizziness
- Nasal congestion
- Back pain.
In people with diabetic nephropathy, common side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Anemia
- Increase in blood potassium levels
- Low blood pressure
- Weight gain (see Cozaar and Weight Gain).
(Click Losartan Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects of this drug, including serious side effects to look out for.)
You can also read about other possible side effects by going to the following eMedTV articles:
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD