Losartan and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ano...
• January 6, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I am so thankful for those that have posted on this site about the side effects of losartan, namely, anxiety. My doctor had prescribed this drug for high blood pressure. Over weeks and then months, I started having feelings of nervousness. At first, I thought it was due to life events. It got so bad that I am sure I had panic attacks. I then found this site, with anxiety being listed as a side effect. I went to see a psychiatrist and said the feelings I was experiencing were anxiety. I went back to my original doctor and told him about it. He said he had never had a patient taking Losartan with anxiety as a side effect but agreed that I go completely off any medication. Once I did that, I started feeling better within 3 days. After a month, I was almost back to feeling normal! This is a very serious side effect of this medication, and again, I thank those that have posted of your experiences. I hope to do the same for others with this post."

• Ano...
• January 6, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I am so thankful for those that have posted on this site about the side effects of losartan, namely, anxiety. My doctor had prescribed this drug for high blood pressure. Over weeks and then months, I started having feelings of nervousness. At first, I thought it was due to life events. It got so bad that I am sure I had panic attacks. I then found this site, with anxiety being listed as a side effect. I went to see a psychiatrist and said the feelings I was experiencing were anxiety. I went back to my original doctor and told him about it. He said he had never had a patient taking Losartan with anxiety as a side effect but agreed that I go completely off any medication. Once I did that, I started feeling better within 3 days. After a month, I was almost back to feeling normal! This is a very serious side effect of this medication, and again, I thank those that have posted of your experiences. I hope to do the same for others with this post."

• Ric...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking Losartan HCTZ 50/12.5 around two years ago. Never had anxiety issues before, but after a year or so on the medication, I started feeling very nervous. So bad I had to take Zoloft for around 3 months. I did a little research and found that Losartan can make you hypoglycemic. The symptoms of low blood sugar are nervousness and shakiness. I started drinking a sugary drink like soda when I felt that way, and 20-30 minutes later, I would feel better. This all started because I began to diet to naturally lower my BP and probably made myself hypoglycemic. Please try it and let me know if it helps. It is scary when you get that feeling of nervousness. The doctors and pharmacists have no clue about the side effects. They blame it on you."

• Mik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 13, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "In my mid-50s, BP was 150/89. Dr. prescribed Losartan 50 mg. BP dropped to 128/78. Now at the age of 65, BP had increased to 140/82. Started with a 100 mg Losartan dose. BP now 125/80. I read many comments about anxiety from this drug. I have never had anxiety, I have never had any side effects from this drug."

• JTa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Was put on losartan (green pill) back in 2018. Did not control BP, was switched to white pill, 50 mg. Started off with horrible headaches, stopped it for a few weeks and headaches went away. Started back, one night I woke up with HR of 165, had to call 911. 3 trips to ER for terrible GERD, tachycardia, horrible anxiety which I never had before. Insomnia, and horrible feelings of heaviness in head, chest, and legs. Lower legs feel like pins and needles, and numbness. I felt like it was the end of me. Stopped it 8 days ago, I do feel better, only lingering symptoms are dizziness and heavy legs, and just overall tiredness. When will these symptoms go away??? NP and I are monitoring blood pressure, it has been fine hasn't spiked at all since I've stopped losartan. Horrible drug in which the doctors will not believe you when you say the drug causes these things. When will these side effects go away????????????"

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure (BP) at Dr. office usually runs 140/78. My Dr. put me on a water pill, and I experienced low sodium blood levels, so he took me off the water pill and put me on losartan potassium. I am now experiencing extreme exhaustion, bloating, and a general feeling of anxiety. My heart skips beats, and my BP has actually gone up higher than it ever has. I decided the pill is poison to me, and I took my last one this morning. I will not continue taking this, as I feel like it’s killing me. Do these doctors even know what they’re doing? I feel poisoned. I’d rather have HBP than feel like this."

• PAp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I am a Physician Assistant with years-long hypertension. I have been on various combinations of medications to manage my blood pressure. My current combination includes Losartan 50 mg twice a day. Its effectiveness has been good, but my blood pressure is affected by my work, sleep, my weight (normal), and exercise. But after six months on Losartan, I have not had anxiety that I connect to Losartan. But if you believe that anxiety began after starting Losartan, then ABSOLUTELY discuss it with your physician. To anyone who is started on Losartan AFTER a heart attack and has symptoms of anxiety, please keep in mind that anxiety or depression are not uncommon after a heart attack. These feelings are real and should also be discussed with your physician. Our minds are processing lots of information 24 hours a day. Sorting out the source of anxiety can be challenging, and your medical team can help you. There is no such thing as “one size (or dose) fits all”."

• Rya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I quit Losartan in March 2023 due to anxiety. Working on lifestyle changes. Doctor convinced me in May 2023 to try Losartan again. His exact words, 'Losartan is a very clean drug with no side effects.' Been on Losartan for around 10 days. I have bitten off all my fingernails. I can't think straight. I went to a bar and drank yesterday. This drug causes anxiety and joint pain in me. It is bad. Be aware of your thinking and anxiety on this drug. I flushed it down the toilet last night."

• Vib...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 2, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Losartan for 2 years now. I thought high blood pressure was a strong issue for me, but now I realize blood pressure isn’t the problem. It was my eating habits and lack of exercise. Since I’ve been on losartan, I've gained about 50 pounds, have had countless anxiety attacks, and it has finally reached my breaking point. I am switching to a better medication that I can wean myself off of because losartan appears to be a dangerous medicine that doesn’t help my blood pressure, it only does things that make it worse in the long run."

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure is anxiety-driven, and I fight taking BP meds. I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago for a sinus infection, and I could feel my BP go up sky-high 3/4 of a mile away from the office. My regular doctor gave me a prescription for Losartan on 1/27/20. I started with 1/2 a pill from 25mg. I felt tired, and I stopped it. Then after going to the doctor for a sinus infection, I started it back up again, and my anxiety level is over the top in this 2-week period, and I have headaches. I looked it up and found that it has to be this medicine. Going off of it. How does it get to market, and the fact my doctor knew I have anxiety and prescribed this for me is unreal."

• joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2012

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "My experience is not good. It did lower my blood pressure by 15 points, but the side effects are not worth it. It caused me to have problems focusing and concentrating on my work, memory loss, and increased stress and depression. I noticed the problems the first week I took the medicine. My boss also noticed the problems, which was confirmation that it was my new medicine. I went off the medicine and my brain is back to normal. I am a computer programmer, so my brain has to function at its best. I wouldn't take this medicine if your brain has to function at top performance or you have problems with stress/depression because it made my depression worse and I felt more stressed out for no reason."

• Gaz...
• February 7, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on losartan for 3 months after a cardiac event, and the drug has caused side effects of profound anxiety on me. Initially, I started taking the drug early in the morning as prescribed, and I would get anxiety attacks about 3-4 hours later. These were really doom and gloom, 'oh I'm going to die' kind of feelings. I realized what the issue was and moved the medication schedule to late at night so that I would have feelings whilst I was sleeping. However, I have found that I have anxiety and insomnia due to this medication. I am talking to my doctor today to stop this medication. I believe it works for my blood pressure lowering, however, it's hard to tell as I'm on another medication as well, and I need to titrate myself to find out if this medication is effective. If you have symptoms of strong anxiety 3-4 hours after taking this medication, this may be the cause. It is very unnerving and puts you into a very strange state of paranoia. Also have left chest muscle pain."

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan for a week and a half gave me unfortunate side effects. I started getting severe anxiety, to the point where I couldn’t work my job. I had spells of extreme terror, could barely sleep. The last day I took it before stopping, I had a 30-minute episode where I sobbed uncontrollably and was shaking. Works wonders for some folks, but I unfortunately had a bad reaction to it."

• Mem...
• February 24, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan is a horrible drug. I've been on it for 9 months. Feeling of anxiety, depression, BP fluctuates constantly. I get mouth sores, throat problems, irregular heartbeat, and no energy most of the day. Asked my doc to change meds, now I'm feeling normal again."

• Ray...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Started losartan in August. Had anxiety attacks increasing in frequency up to Dec. Then was laid flat out, couldn't go to work, drive, headaches, foggy brain, nauseous for weeks, went to a doctor, he said see cardiologist, cardiologist said see ENT, ENT said see neurologist, neurologist said it might be migraines or losartan. It's been three days since I stopped taking it with my doctor's approval. Headache is almost gone but body feels sick. I've been taking it for 10 months. I feel so awful. Was told it'll take some time for the effects to wear off because I've taken it so long. It's horrible. I'm praying I can return to my pre-medication health soon!"

• Lma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 9, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking Losartan 8 months ago. At the time I was doing Weight Watchers and making great progress. Within the first few days, I experienced dry cough (I have COPD and didn't cough like this), more breathless, back pain, calf and foot cramps so bad I had to force my feet to go flat on the floor, eyesight change, constant anxiety/fear, chest tightness, fatigue, insomnia, and headaches all the time. Then I started gaining weight after 4 weeks and as of this writing, I have put on 24 pounds. Of course, carrying around this extra weight makes it harder to breathe and my BP is going up. I have spoken with cardio and GP and they both tell me it's not the med, I know my body and this isn't normal. I'm afraid to go off it for fear of BP going back to 164/90 but last night it was 147/83 so it's climbing and I know their solution will be to up the Losartan (I take 75mg now). No more, I'm looking for a doctor who will actually listen to me."

• JHa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 60-year-old male, active & healthy other than BP rising over the last few years. Tried to exercise my way out of BP meds but finally had to surrender. Doc put me on Losartan 50mg - the only med I was taking. This drug was toxic to my system. I felt lethargic & achy most of the time & it occasionally caused shallow breathing and anxiety. Further, it wasn't effective at reducing my BP. Went off the drug & feel 10 years younger (I'm not kidding). New Doc & new BP med...Amlodipine, which has been effective (with no side effects for me). Very interesting to read that so many other people have experienced similar side effects from Losartan. Maybe the doctors should be required to try the drugs they prescribe to patients."

• 50s...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2017

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "Male, 53, regular exercise, healthy diet. Started losartan (Cozaar) 2 weeks ago due to high blood pressure. Dropped the blood pressure first day, but still is high - before taking BP was 160's / 110's, now it's 140's / 90's. Noticed frequent urination - like every 15 minutes. I canceled an international vacation because of this. Then came the anxiety at night. Never had anxiety this bad - ever. Finding myself locking the doors, checking to make sure they are locked multiple times. Slight confusion and short-term memory problems. Yesterday bought a $1500 large screen TV that I really did not need and does not even fit on our TV stand. Numbness in one thumb. Dizziness - almost fell backwards off of stool at restaurant. Giving it one more week."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2019

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "I started losartan/HCTZ 50mg/12.5 mg on 8/26/19; since then, my blood pressure has gone down from 134/98 to 121/72, but I'm now having SEVERE anxiety, lightheadedness, ear pressure, and weird head tingling. I started due to pulsatile tinnitus, but the side effects are much worse!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I am 47 years old and my BP was borderline after the birth of my youngest child, so my doctor put me on BP meds. I took Losartan 50 mg after 5 years of taking Diovan 160 (no side effects on Diovan) because it was recalled. Losartan 50 mg started okay, no symptoms or side effects at first. After taking the medication for 2 months, I was having horrible stomach issues, high anxiety, and I felt like I was falling apart. My back, especially between my shoulders, ached daily, and I felt so wobbly I could barely walk. I felt like running to the ER daily. By chance, in searching I came across hundreds of reviews of people having the exact same issues on Losartan. I immediately stopped it 3 days ago, and I am shocked that I already feel better. I swear I felt I was being poisoned slowly. Never again!! It's now diet and exercise for me. The side effects really sneak up on you, beware."

• JCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Well, I've had an anxiety disorder since my early teens. I've been taking losartan since last December. Starting last June, I started getting weird side effects: drowsiness, drunk feeling, with increased anxiety despite being on anxiety medication. I told the doctor about this, but he ignored it. Fast forward to now, yesterday was my last dose. I called the doctor, explaining my serious nature of panic attacks that were uncontrollable, increasing my blood pressure to really dangerous numbers. I didn't have these side effects at first, they started in June and lasted about 6 months. This medicine is awful. I told the doctor I'd rather live with my high blood pressure than be on this. Well, never got a call back from the doctor, so if you have an anxiety disorder, at all costs, stay away from this medication. From seeing some of the reviews, others have experienced the same, everyone was saying it was all in my head about the medicine. The fear I have from the last 2 doses of taking this was out of this world, uncontrollable. No thanks."

• JCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Well, I've had an anxiety disorder since my early teens. I've been taking losartan since last December. Starting last June, I started getting weird side effects: drowsiness, drunk feeling, with increased anxiety despite being on anxiety medication. I told the doctor about this, but he ignored it. Fast forward to now, yesterday was my last dose. I called the doctor, explaining my serious nature of panic attacks that were uncontrollable, increasing my blood pressure to really dangerous numbers. I didn't have these side effects at first, they started in June and lasted about 6 months. This medicine is awful. I told the doctor I'd rather live with my high blood pressure than be on this. Well, never got a call back from the doctor, so if you have an anxiety disorder, at all costs, stay away from this medication. From seeing some of the reviews, others have experienced the same, everyone was saying it was all in my head about the medicine. The fear I have from the last 2 doses of taking this was out of this world, uncontrollable. No thanks."

• JJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 2, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Took it almost a year and it did lower my BP. I noticed depression, bad headaches, severe stomach pains after taking it within a half hour, horrible dizziness, etc. I made my own choice to stop taking it. I was on 100 mg a day. Four days off of it, headaches are gone, dizziness went away, and the brain fog cleared up. Imagine that! Although it did give me some anxiety coming off it, but seems to be going away. Please people, stop taking this drug if you have side effects. I’m still on nifedipine and propranolol. The doctor wanted to give me Zoloft for my depression, can you see the pattern here? I can only imagine how many drugs he would pump me with after a year. If you don’t believe me, stop taking it for a few days yourself and see how much better you feel. Good luck, everyone."

• Thb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have high BP and left ventricular hypertrophy, and losartan is effective in treating ventricular hypertrophy. But this is the worst medication I have taken for side effects - lower back pains, stuffy and dry nose, breathing difficulty with anxiety throughout the whole day."

• Fus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan is the 3rd high blood pressure tablet I've been prescribed. (Ramipril made me feel so bad I thought I was dying within one week, Amlodipine made my ankles swell like balloons). Was really happy with Losartan 25mg for 4 weeks with no side effects. I'm on week 5 and I've suddenly got a blocked nose and ears. Anxiety started yesterday morning and has been coming in rolling waves of panic attacks for over 24-48 hours, making me feel like I would rather die than experience that. (I have had a few attacks over 15 years and mild depression but nothing like this). Started wondering if it was a side effect of the Losartan. Found a number of people on here have had very similar experiences, so presumably these are side effects, but I won't know until I stop taking it. Now can't tell if my blood pressure is high because I'm panicking or if the tablets aren't working! I will go back to the doctor tomorrow. Beginning to wonder if I'll ever find a drug that works for me."