Losartan for High Blood Pressure User Reviews (Page 4)

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2020

"Walmart gave me new Losartan (Camber) (white pill) in June 2020. I didn't start using it until August 2020. Became very sick with diarrhea, headaches, weakness, stomach pains, enlarged spleen, heart issues, and could barely move. This went on for weeks until I went to the doctor on 9/9/20 and had my BP taken: 197/88. I never had such a high blood pressure. I went home and came to the conclusion that it's this medication from Camber (which was originally recalled in 2/19). Took Losartan from CVS originally green pills and in two days my blood pressure returned to normal. Unfortunately, the stomach issues have lingered but I'm improving. This med hurt me instead of helped me."

• Don...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2023

"I have only been taking Losartan for 3 days, 25 mg, to replace Lisinopril, which made me cough constantly. I had not taken the Lisinopril for about 2 months, so the side effects from that were gone. I can tell I'm not going to be able to stay on this because of lower back pain and deep fatigue, but I can't sleep, and the cough is starting again. But the worst part is a headache right behind my ears, and my nose feels like it's been lying in the hottest part of Death Valley for a couple of weeks-terribly dry and hurting inside. Nothing eases that feeling, not even coating the inside of my nose with Vaseline. I feel miserable. Since I have already been treated for high potassium, I don't know why my doctor put me on Losartan since it can raise my potassium level. She said it might help my kidneys. I am already taking amlodipine, which controls my blood pressure. I will not take medication that makes me feel worse, even if it's supposed to help in the long run."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2023

"My experience was a nightmare! I was given losartan as needed for high blood pressure. My first time taking it, I had massive palpitations and anxiety and ended up in the ER. When they checked my BP, it spiked up very high, and they told me to continue taking it and sent me home. But I didn't feel well, I had tingling all over my body, and I felt depressed. I went back to my doctor, and they told me to continue taking them with Xanax, but it made me feel worse. I decided to stop the medication, and slowly the symptoms went away, but it took time for the panic attacks to come off. My blood pressure went back to normal, but the panic attacks went away after 2 months. I can't imagine how I had this kind of reaction. But I'm also very sensitive to medicine."

• She...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 26, 2019

"I have been taking 50mg of losartan for a few years. I never really looked very deeply into losartan past the 'may make you drowsy' stuff on the bottle. As time went on, I noticed that I was getting weaker and weaker to the point that I couldn't do anything. My legs felt heavy and even just mild exertion left me gasping for breath. Getting up, I would feel dizzy. Everything in my body hurt. I have vision and hearing problems in addition to a loud ringing in my ears. I've had a physical, lab work, tests, etc. There is no obvious physical cause for my problems. So, I have started to look into my medication side effects. I looked up losartan and BAM - everything that I was experiencing is listed. I've been off it a couple of days and while it is too soon to tell if that was the cause, I do not feel worse and seem to be on the upswing. Note, I discussed stopping the losartan with my physician first, and I monitor my blood pressure in case it goes back up without the losartan."

• Anonymous
• February 13, 2011

Losartan "Started at 25 mg, then went to 50 mg and then to 100 mg. While my BP was not really under control (hypotension - hypertension) and my heart rate was 112 while resting, and I gained 12 pounds overnight. During my Cozaar experience, my energy level was so much better than it had been over the previous 10 years taking lisinopril, however, BP control and the side effects I experienced were just not acceptable. There has to be something out there that will work."

• Abb...
• September 17, 2011

"I was forced to take losartan instead of Diovan because my insurance company refuses to pay for brand-name drugs. Really great the insurance co. would rather realize huge profits at the expense of patients' health. Well, losartan is terrible for me. I had no noticeable side effects from Diovan. But with losartan, I've had not only hair loss but also very bad tingling down my left arm into my fingers. My doctor just told me it's carpal tunnel syndrome without any hesitation, but I know it's the losartan that's causing this condition because I never had it until after starting losartan. It also causes me to be tired and lightheaded, both side effects of this medicine."

• Kei...
• July 10, 2019

"Started taking this about 3 months ago for borderline high/high BP. 150/95. Got me down to 130/88. But now I feel like a truck hit me every day. Fatigue. Achy. Flu-like. All day. It just literally hit me it could be this medicine. I googled my symptoms and bam. I'm getting off this."

• mus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2016

Losartan "Male 56. I started taking Cozaar just 4 days ago, to add to my current regimen of diuretic and beta-blocker, as my BP was climbing. After only 4 days taking it, my BP went from 170/102 down to 129/69, and I am only on a 25 mg dose; smaller than even what the manufacturer recommends. This med works... and fast. No side effects for me."

• ARo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2023

"I know not everyone is affected the same exact way by a medication, and not everyone has terrible side effects from this medication - but personally, I had some very unfortunate side effects from this medicine. It gave me severe anxiety/panic attacks where I became very short of breath (just like an asthma attack), my heart was racing like crazy, terrible chest pains (feeling like I was about to have a heart attack), extreme anxiety and paranoia, and I honestly felt like I was going to die. It even kept me awake for a few days straight! At first, I thought it was the high blood pressure itself causing all this, but once I stopped taking the medicine, these terrible side effects improved right away and went away completely within a few days. It even made my blood pressure much worse, which surprised me because I was taking it to lower my blood pressure - perhaps all of the severe anxiety it caused me resulted in this. My experience with Losartan was terrible. I'll never take it again."

• bee...
• September 27, 2015

"My blood pressure was improved with Losartan, but I had many side effects. My blood pressure would drop to as low as 98 over 84 with a heart rate of 130. I would be dizzy and so tired I just wanted to sleep. At least once a week I would experience diarrhea. I coughed a lot and it was getting worse. I had foot and leg cramps. I was feeling terrible. Since stopping the use of this drug and improving my diet, I am feeling much better, and my symptoms have disappeared. My blood pressure is under control without it. This drug is poison and was killing me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2017

"I am a 66-year-old female. I have not experienced any adverse symptoms with losartan. I started with 50mg almost 5 years ago, and a couple of weeks ago, my GP reduced it to 25mg. I believe exercising, walking, and less stress (now retired) lowered my BP. I am sorry to hear so many people suffer such severe side effects."

• sal...
• June 19, 2019

"81, high blood pressure discovered during routine visit for something else - not that high, pulse okay, diastolic okay. Nevertheless, Doc started me on amlodipine - terrible side effects - mostly tummy, swollen ankles, edema, could not get shoes on, etc. so we tried perindopril - same problems. Took self off, after 10 days feet normal, could get shoes on, toes normal, crocodile skin on shins as edema went down, receded, tummy functioning fine. However, BP not great, so agreed to try losartan 50 mg - after 2 days we are back to violent stomach cramps, swollen feet, etc., also new problem very dizzy - this is supposed to pass as you get used to it. Very tempted to cut them in half to 25mg - or stop altogether. If this is the price of living forever, I am not interested."

• Som...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 6, 2017

"I was prescribed Losartan about 8 years ago. I didn't have any issues other than blood clots in my legs that began to reoccur after I began the medicine. I continually brought it up to my doctor over the years, but he has dismissed it each time. Although I have a stress-free life, I have constant heaviness in my chest making it difficult to breathe, chronic insomnia, and massive bruises that form on my leg (without any incident of bumping them against anything). I am tired throughout the day since I am not sleeping and feel terrible. I have spikes in my blood pressure and am concerned because my doctor dismisses these issues."

• RAa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2018

"There is no doubt in my mind that Losartan contributes to anxiety. I've learned that my thoughts control my blood pressure, and through a conscious effort practicing positive thinking and, more importantly, realizing that I have no control over things that can happen, I am now thriving and have come off Losartan, and I feel like a new person. I also try to eat healthy and exercise, and it is like a whole new life."

• KAT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 21, 2020

"OMG I can't take this stuff. Even though my blood pressure has a normal reading (117/76), it is never higher than 120/80. This losartan stuff makes me perpetually lightheaded all the time! I already am on 100 mg of atenolol, and now he added 100 mg of losartan. I am going to start cutting that losartan in half, it causes me weakness in my arms and legs, lightheadedness, and a feeling of 'flying' all day. I am lucky I can even sleep at night. I sometimes feel better with salt or caffeine, but I just want to feel normal again. I am going to talk to him and see if he can put me back on 1/2 pill a day."

• Gaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

"I've been put on Losartan as part of a post-op medication after having stents placed in my coronary arteries. Losartan definitely lowers my blood pressure, but there is no doubt that it causes anxiety and a feeling of fear. It seems to amplify an emotional response to any negative thoughts and gets you to fear those questions. I have found that changing my schedule for taking the medication also changes the schedule of the anxiety. i.e., it follows the taking of the drug by about 3 hours (which is when the drug peaks apparently). There is no doubt that anxiety and feelings of negative well-being are side effects. So if you're having an emotional reaction (in my case 3 hours after taking), this medication may be the cause. I am taking it just before bed to hopefully mask the feelings as I'll be asleep. TBD if it affects sleep."

• SGH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2015

"Losartan is poison and I hope anyone taking it at least monitors their improvement-if any-versus the side effects, because they sneak up on you. I believe this medication will do much more harm than good, so please be careful. I took it because Lisinopril gave me a cough. I gave it 3 full months, and during that time, I became very ill. Extreme fatigue, headaches, sore back, weakness in my legs-that was very scary. I felt like I had the flu daily, and I thought it might be another medication I was on, but I tested myself by stopping the other meds and nope, the symptoms still remained. I was so exhausted all the time, I could hardly get through my day and had to take daily naps. I slept very deeply with vivid dreams. Never ever again!"

• Que...
• June 15, 2013

"The doctor put me on 50mg losartan a month ago, as new insurance wouldn't pay for the Candesartan I was on. It works great keeping blood pressure at good levels along with the Metoprolol I'm on also. For the first 3 weeks, I started off having mild headaches that finally disappeared, and now I have a slight sore throat all of the time, a slight hacking cough, and only one nostril that runs constantly... weird, I know. I'm going to give it another month and see if these side effects disappear like the headaches."

• Cry...
• October 16, 2019

Losartan "I was prescribed this medication 3 weeks ago for high blood pressure after I had coughing fits with Lisinopril. This medication seems to work part of the time and keeps my blood pressure in high 120's to mid 130's. I am on 25mg. Side effects I have are random cough (not too bad), dry throat, loose stools and I've noticed an increase in sharp chest pains on the left side of my breast. I see the cardiologist in 2 weeks and hope she can help me sort this problem out."

• Eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2020

"Early on, but really bad anxiety. To the truly lovely 71-year-old lady whose BP was 145/82, I know two very well-thought-of cardiologists who are friends - very close, honest friends. They both say it’s highly questionable to make a 71-year-old at 145/82 take ANY BP med. Their advice would be: You can live your life to the fullest if you don’t take ANY BP meds. If you trust your cardiologist, then you should do what he/she says. But if you're kinda 50-50 on him/her, then I’d rethink taking any drugs at all."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2023

"I was prescribed losartan for very high blood pressure. It did lower my blood pressure, but after a month on it, I have to come off it. I experienced freezing hands and feet, flu-like symptoms, a horrible taste in my mouth, heart palpitations, and feeling generally very unwell. I cannot go on with these horrible pills. I was prescribed amlodipine but couldn't tolerate that either. I need to sort this out with diet and exercise, as I am one of the people who cannot take these chemical medicines. The side effects are not worth it."

• Mic...
• September 9, 2019

"After 8 weeks, I woke up feeling like something was stuck in my throat. I could eat, but every time I swallowed, I felt like my throat was constricting and had a burning sensation. I realized that I'd had a similar throat issue with Lisinopril, and my doc switched me. This time I was in quite a bit of pain, and after day one and figuring out the drug was likely the issue (again), I went off it. The next day was a bit better, and today my throat is fine. Just because you don't see a side effect listed does NOT mean a drug doesn't cause that effect in you. The only way to know for sure is to go off it and see if the effect goes away. Not recommending people stop cold turkey, but my blood pressure is borderline, so I just quit taking the pills. I am done with these drugs - I don't need to lose weight, but I do need to cut back on salt, alcohol, and increase aerobic exercise so that's what I'll be doing going forward. The side effects for me were NOT worth the little benefit I saw!"

• Job...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2014

"I tolerated Losartan MUCH better than Lisinopril - with Lisinopril, I developed not so much the cough most everybody experiences, but a vasovagal response - like gagging, dry heaving, no matter what I was doing or where I was at, with no warning! So that was quickly discontinued at my request and I was placed on Losartan. Now I am on a double dose, since my blood pressure was at 168/114 on not only Losartan BUT atenolol - at 56 years young, nonsmoker, and just a bit too chunky, at 180 pounds - okay, well a lot of chunky, mostly because of eating too much Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream. Nevertheless, now I am chilled all the time and leg cramps at night. Nothing that interrupts my day or evening...."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2019

"I’m a 58-year-old female. The only med I take is 25mg of losartan for over a year now. BP was about 140/95 too often. My side effects are getting worse. Insomnia, headaches, diarrhea, dizzy, tired, feet hurt, have to lay down once a day and no longer have the energy to exercise. I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine a few times a week and try to stay low carb and watch my salt intake. I’m thinking I would be better off not taking this since my quality of life has gone down."

• bpa...
• June 19, 2019

"I've been taking this medication for about a month after the doctor decided to switch to this. It helps with blood pressure for about half a day, and by bedtime, blood pressure is sky high again. Legs, feet, and hands go numb and cramp. Severe back pain along with headaches and just a general feeling of being unwell. My whole body hurts 24/7, and with all the recalls lately, it is alarming. I can't wait to see the doctor and get off this medicine!"