Losartan and Cough: What Users Say

• 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."

• Reb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I was switched from Lisinopril to Losartan because of a cough. I have felt so exhausted ever since. I have to push myself to do things. I still cough some, but my main complaint is terrible joint and muscle pain. I don’t want to do anything anymore, and I have always been a very active person. Tylenol just doesn’t cut it for the pain, and I am not allowed to take Advil or a similar drug. I’m desperate for help, and the doctor just laughs when I tell him and said he has never heard this before. Anyone else?"

• Con...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "The doctor put me on Losartan 100 mg maybe 6 months ago. I have always been hyperactive and maybe a bit attention deficit. The Losartan calmed me down and made my blood pressure run around 120/70. Usually, it ran 140/80 or more for the bottom number. It made me go to the bathroom a lot, and I also developed the irritating cough. My main complaint is my inability to think and learn things quickly. I am taking online college classes and have always been smart in math and all subjects. Now I feel groggy, lazy, fuzzy, and can't retain information. The doctor refuses to take me off, so I have cut the pills in half. Some days I don't take them and feel much better. I know there are bad side effects if you quit the medicines all at once, so I think I am going to change doctors."

• Bli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I had been taking Losartan for about 2 years. My blood pressure was in the 160/90 area, and Losartan brought it down to 120/80. The drug made me feel tired. I also developed a cough, probably due to Losartan, but I cannot be sure. Recently, I began to exercise and lose weight from 220 lbs. to 210 lbs. and followed a daily exercise routine. My blood pressure seemed to be very low at 100/70 sometimes. My doctor said to stay on the drug, but I started to taper off my 100 mg dose to about 50 mg. My BP did not shoot up but stayed at about 120/80, and I monitored it closely, maintaining a careful diet and exercise. I stopped taking the drug completely, and my blood pressure has stayed low in the 120-130/80-90. I plan to see my doctor for a physical next month, and I am sure she will be aghast that I stopped Losartan on my own. Any advice on how to break the news to her?"

• Mik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 12, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Cozaar (aka Losartan) for over 10 years, both 25mg and 50mg. A few years ago, I switched to a generic brand but developed dry cough problems immediately. I returned to the Cozaar brand and the cough immediately went away. I had not heard of the weight gain problem mentioned here, but it has been a struggle as well. I do take several medicines including Lipitor 40 mg. I've found that taking CoQ10 200 mg helps with joint pain, which I believe was attributed to Lipitor. I'm still trying to figure out what is causing my 'heavy legs' when I jog for a few miles nowadays. I never had this issue before but pushing age 60 now, and as mentioned, 25-30 lbs extra weight."

• Lar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Has anyone successfully found a replacement for Lisinopril and/or Losartan? I am a 51-year-old male. I have average blood pressure ranging from 135/75 to 160/92. My doctor initially put me on 5 mg of Lisinopril. I started out okay but then developed a persistent cough, constant chills, tinnitus, and headaches. I came off the Lisinopril and within one week, my cough and other side effects had subsided and I felt much better. So he recently changed me to Losartan 25 mg. Within the first 24 hours, my persistent cough was back with a vengeance, I didn't sleep the first night and I feel fatigued and washed out. I am going to come off Losartan, as I know things will not improve. Has anyone been in a similar situation and found a blood pressure-lowering drug that works, with no side effects? Many thanks."

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

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• bee...
• September 27, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Que...
• June 15, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "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 for High Blood Pressure "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."

• Car...
• February 15, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "My 90-year-old mother has been on generic Losartan for 8 years. She took 50mg a day, and it controlled her blood pressure. We have a new doctor, and he upped her dosage to 75mg, which seemed to do well until she got Type A influenza. Now she is recuperating, and when we give her Losartan, it seems to knock her blood pressure really low and makes her weak for 2 hours. She has had a hacking cough and recurrent bronchitis for years. I did not know that could be a side effect of Losartan. These are the only meds she takes except for a daily multivitamin."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "Have been on Lotensin and amlodipine for years. Blood pressure had started rising over a period of several months. Doctor put me on Losartan. Experienced copious sweating on the third day. After 5 days, I have no idea what my blood pressure is, but started having problems breathing on the 4th day. (I have COPD, few breathing problems at this point.) The next day was worse. Took the 5th dose last night and was up all night, gasping for oxygen and coughing up thick mucus. Spent the night sitting up wondering if I should go to the ER. I feel much better this afternoon, although my chest is still sore and my arms ache badly despite taking Lyrica for fibromyalgia. Better this morning, chest sore, still trying to cough up mucus, chest tight."

• neb...
• May 1, 2009

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "I have had high blood pressure for years and have just started a medicine routine. I tried Zestril and had great results but did not like the cough. So, my doctor switched me to Cozaar. This makes me cough, makes me tired, dizzy, and constipated."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "62-year-old male with low testosterone, erectile dysfunction problems. Blood pressure was 147/90. Tried Lisinopril, very allergic with much sinus drainage and cough, it took 3 months to get rid of. Controlled blood pressure well, and actually relieved erectile dysfunction problems. Had to switch to amlodipine which controlled BP and had no side effects but complete sexual dysfunction, so switched to Losartan. No side effects, 50 mg has my BP at 117/70 and again, notably relieved ED problems and enhanced sex life."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2009

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "Just got prescribed Cozaar one week ago to manage hypertension. My dosage is very low-25 mg. However, I am experiencing a persistent cough. I experienced the same side effect when I tried lisinopril. Have a follow-up appointment with doctor next week."

• Lsd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "55-year-old male. Dr. Put me on 50mg Losartan after a brief trial period with another medicine that caused a cough. The 50mg dose of Losartan seemed to be working fine for the past several years. Had a blood pressure episode about three months ago where blood pressure suddenly elevated to dangerous levels. After a trip to the emergency room, my Dr. put me on 100mg of Losartan HCTZ in the morning along with 50mg of Atenolol, which is taken at night. Started feeling very tired, developed an irritating cough, had fluid in my ear, gained weight, and developed a ringing in my ears. I really felt like I was dying. Legs felt heavy, and I was just not feeling like myself. Appointment with Dr. next week to hopefully change meds."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was only on this Losartan for 4 days, and I was fine the first two days, and now my eyes are swollen shut, been throwing up, have earaches, can't stop coughing up mass amounts of phlegm, I look like my face and eyes are sideways. My son's said no more mom."

• WOP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was on lisinopril for 3 weeks to control my blood pressure. During that time, my BP dropped, but I got an annoying dry cough, and I lost 10 pounds. I have been on losartan for 1 week. My BP is great, but I still have a bad cough, and now both shoulders are very sore."

• vir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 46-year-old female athlete with a BMI of 21, and my BP was 161/100 (go figure). I tried several medications and suffered side effects, e.g., amlodipine (swelling), lisinopril (coughing), valsartan (diarrhea). I feel great on 50 mg of losartan. No side effects."

• chi...
• February 28, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Losartan for several years, experienced deep depression to the point of suicide, loss of hearing, loss of voice, numerous aches mostly in my legs, and a persistent dry cough, but my blood pressure was still high. Doctor finally decided it was white coat syndrome. I stopped taking Losartan 7 weeks ago and feel almost back to normal, thank goodness. The best thing is my blood pressure (which I take on my home BP machine 3 or 4 times a day at different times) ranges from 106/69 to 123/79. Occasionally, depending on what's going on, it might rise to 142/85, but not very often. I am a 69-year-old female, very slight build."

• Lit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I have been very healthy my entire life, thank God, until last year when my blood pressure started going up. The doctor prescribed Metoprolol and Lisinopril. I started coughing constantly, which led me to the ER, thinking I had pneumonia. The ER doctor switched Lisinopril for Losartan Potassium. The leg and back pain are unbearable to the point that I can almost not stand or walk. I am afraid of falling, feeling dizzy and tired. I don't need to live with this quality of life. The dangerous side effects are even worse than what I felt when my blood pressure started rising. There has to be something better than this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "It's helping my blood pressure level throughout the day but I have these 'rushes' in my chest and some weird pains and numbness in the back of my left arm. Pulse rate sometimes goes through the roof and facial flushing. It's only two weeks on so hopefully some of this will even out. Much better than Lisinopril which made my hair fall out and rashes on my face, not to mention hacky cough."

• Fat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Switched to this since Lisinopril made me cough like a barking seal. It keeps the BP in check, however, after taking this medication for several months, I have developed serious side effects, including weight gain-up 20 pounds since I started taking it, high blood potassium, moderate dehydration, numbness, and orthostatic hypotension (probably from the dehydration). No one told me about the potassium issue, I wasn't warned by the pharmacist or the doctor. I had to look this up on the internet. My vitamin C supplement contains electrolytes, and this is a contributing factor. I REALLY think this potassium issue should be on the label of each bottle, along with the fact that it CAUSES weight gain. This is very important for those of us with specific health issues."

• gol...
• September 7, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "Works great except for runny nose for a few hours after I take it. Lisinopril made me cough 24/7. Had a massive heart attack 4 months ago, and medicine's side effects don't compare to the fear & pain of that attack. Diet & exercise & Dr. said blood results are better than good."

• ana...
• May 18, 2010

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "I was taking enalapril for about six months and was coughing a lot. I just switched to Losartan potassium and so far it lowered my blood pressure better than enalapril, however, I am still coughing. It is very annoying and I will probably ask to be changed again to another medicine."