When your doctor prescribes Losartan, a medication that blocks angiotensin II, a hormone that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure. Also known as an angiotensin II receptor blocker, or ARB, it helps your blood vessels relax so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. This isn’t just another pill—it’s one of the most prescribed drugs for high blood pressure, especially for people with diabetes or kidney issues.
Losartan works by stopping angiotensin II from binding to receptors in your blood vessels. Without that signal, your vessels stay wider, your blood pressure drops, and your kidneys get some extra protection. That’s why it’s often chosen over other blood pressure meds for people with type 2 diabetes—it doesn’t just lower pressure, it slows kidney damage. It’s also used after heart attacks to improve survival, and sometimes for migraines or heart failure. Unlike some other drugs, it doesn’t cause a dry cough like ACE inhibitors do, which is why many people switch to it.
It’s not the only ARB out there. Drugs like Valsartan, another angiotensin II receptor blocker used for hypertension and heart failure and Irbesartan, a similar medication often prescribed for diabetic kidney disease do much the same thing. But Losartan has been around longer, studied more, and often costs less as a generic. It’s also the only ARB with strong evidence for reducing stroke risk in people with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart.
People on Losartan often wonder about side effects. Most don’t have any, but some feel dizzy, especially when starting out. A few get low blood pressure, elevated potassium, or kidney changes—so your doctor will check your labs. It’s not safe during pregnancy, and it can interact with NSAIDs, potassium supplements, or diuretics. You won’t find it in the same category as beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, but it’s often paired with them if one drug isn’t enough.
Below, you’ll find real-world guides that dig into how Losartan compares to other blood pressure drugs, what to expect when you start it, how it affects your kidneys, and what to do if you’re worried about side effects. These aren’t generic summaries—they’re detailed, practical breakdowns written for people who want to understand their treatment, not just take the pill.
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