is losartan a beta blocker?

• Feeling dizzy. If losartan makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better.
• Headaches. Make sure you rest, and drink plenty of fluids.
• Feeling sick (nausea) .
• Being sick (vomiting) .
• Diarrhoea.
• Pain in your joints or muscles.

Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions and what you need to know if you’re taking this common medication.

Losartan is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs. It helps reduce blood pressure in adults by blocking the effects of Angiotensin II – a chemical in our body that narrows the blood vessels and raises blood pressure. While losartan is the generic name, the most common brand name for the medication is Cozaar. Both brand name and generic are used to treat high blood pressure in addition to several other less common conditions.

Generally, Losartan is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension). However, it may also be used for several less common conditions including:

It is not used with women who are pregnant as it can cause harm or death to the unborn baby.

Losartan is not a beta blocker or an ACE inhibitor. Instead, it belongs to a class of medications called ARBs or angiotensin receptor blockers. ARBs work by blocking the AT1 receptors found on various tissues throughout the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. As a result of this, ARBs are able to reduce the effects of angiotensin II which include narrowing of the blood vessels (vasoconstriction).

Similarly, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors reduce the effect of angiotensin but through a slightly different mechanism. While ARBs block the receptors that angiotensin II binds to, ACE inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II, reducing the amount available for binding.

Generally, a patient will not be prescribed ARBs and ACE inhibitors at the same time. However, always talk with your doctor before you start, stop, or make any change to a medication regimen.

Losartan dosage comes in 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg strength. Your dosage will vary depending on age, current health condition, as well as the purpose of the medication. However, most doctors will prescribe the lowest amount they believe will be effective for the patient.

The lowest dose of losartan is 25mg. People typically start on this dose because it can be effective for some and help their bodies acclimate to the medication. A prescriber may increase the dose if a person’s blood pressure remains high after being on 25mg for a period of time.

The exact time frame for increasing dosage will depend on the patient’s health and circumstances, such as when their follow-up appointment is, how high their blood pressure is at that time, if they see any improvements, etc. Another factor that can affect whether a doctor increases the dose of losartan is kidney function.

Losartan is one of the first options for the treatment of high blood pressure in the elderly since it is one of the safest options. Generally, seniors tolerate it well and experience minimal side effects. Seniors also typically start with a dose of 25mg or 50mg. The prescriber may adjust this dose as necessary to achieve results and minimize side effects.

Losartan will begin working in the body within an hour of taking it, however, it takes up to 6 weeks to reach maximum efficacy. During this time your body will be adjusting to the medication so it is important to contact your doctor if you experience any side effects.

Most people will not feel a difference as the medication begins to work. They usually feel the same and only notice a difference in their actual blood pressure measurements. The best way to gauge if the medication is working is by tracking your blood pressure over time.

Losartan stays in your system for about 24 hours with 100mg tablets, while lower strengths don’t last as long. As is the case for all oral medications, we say “about 24 hrs” because everyone’s metabolism is different. Liver damage will also impact how long it stays in your system since it is metabolized by the liver. For example, if a patient has end-stage renal disease or congestive heart failure, the body will eliminate losartan faster.

Overall, losartan is a pretty well-tolerated medication with minimal side effects. The most common losartan side effects in individuals with high blood pressure include:

These side effects are generally mild and go away with time. If you are experiencing side effects that won’t go away or cause concern you should talk with your doctor.

Additionally, potentially serious side effects of losartan may include:

If you are experiencing any of these side effects, call your doctor right away. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1 for immediate attention.

Long-term side effects of losartan are rare. However, high potassium levels may cause fainting, irregular heartbeat, and muscle weakness. In addition, kidney damage may occur in patients that have kidney issues. Furthermore, losartan can cause harm or death to an unborn baby so it should not be taken while pregnant.

Losartan does not generally cause weight gain. Unexplained weight gain may indicate a worsening in how well your kidneys work, especially if you have existing kidney problems. If you experience unexplained weight gain while taking losartan you should talk with your doctor right away. Do not start, stop, or make any change to your medication regimen without first consulting your doctor.

Losartan may cause ED in some men as hypotension (low blood pressure) makes it difficult for some men to achieve and maintain erections. If you are experiencing ED while taking losartan, you should talk with your doctor right away. Do not start, stop, or make any change to your medication regimen without first consulting your doctor.

In some cases, losartan may cause coughing and upper respiratory infection. However, these are generally mild and go away over time. Talk with your doctor if your cough persists or becomes intolerable. Do not start, stop, or make any change to your medication regimen without first consulting your doctor.

Losartan may interact with certain prescription and over the counter medication as well as some supplements. It is important you tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

Additionally, you should not take losartan if you are taking the medication Aliskiren or have a known allergy to any ingredient. You should always tell your doctor about all the medicines you take both regularly or otherwise including prescription medication, non-prescription medication, vitamins, and other dietary supplements.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions and do not start, stop, or make any changes to your medication regimen without first consulting your doctor.

Your doctor is the best resource to determine what you can take instead of losartan. Common alternatives include diuretics, with the most common being a thiazide diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide. Other options may include alternative blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers.

If you have questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best option for your individual needs.

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https://www.organon.com/product/usa/pi_circulars/c/cozaar/cozaar_ppi.pdf

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drug-cabinet/arbs

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695008.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiotensin_II_receptor_type_1

Losartan is not a beta-blocker. Losartan belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs, which are used to treat high blood pressure. These are different from beta-blockers, another type of prescription drug sometimes used to lower blood pressure.

Nevertheless, patients should seriously consider their options before accepting this medication because it isn’t suitable for everyone. More about Losartan, its uses, and its possible side effects will be provided below.

Before getting into the specifics, patients should learn more about Losartan and its uses. As specified above, Losartan is an ARB meaning it is an angiotensin II receptor blocker. It is primarily given to patients with hypertension or high blood pressure. It helps by stopping a substance that causes the blood vessels to restrict and tighten. It is also effective for shielding the kidneys from damage caused by diabetes.

Losartan can be used alone, but it is sometimes combined with other medications to deal with high blood pressure. Since it lowers blood pressure, it can also help stave off strokes, kidney issues, and heart attacks. It will relax the blood vessels so blood can flow throughout the body easier.

The medication is safe and effective, but patients should talk to their doctors to find out more about Losartan before using it.

Although the medication is known as Losartan Potassium, it is common for people to call it Losartan. As a result, this medication is going to increase the amount of potassium in the blood. When someone uses Losartan, it is vital to avoid consuming other substances that could increase potassium levels. For instance, they should not take salt substitutes containing potassium, supplements with potassium, or drugs with potassium.

Otherwise, the patient may experience hyperkalemia. This condition can cause serious symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and heart palpitations. Does Losartan increase Potassium? It does so it should not be combined with other substances that increase potassium.

When used safely, this medication shouldn’t cause hyperkalemia. However, there is a risk that it will if precautions are not taken. Patients must understand that this medication is going to increase potassium levels. After all, Losartan Potassium contains potassium. Patients should never mix this drug with other medications or supplements that increase potassium levels.

Talk to a licensed doctor to learn how to use this medication safely.

In some cases, the patient will be required to use Losartan and another medication to deal with hypertension. It is common for Losartan to be combined with HCTZ or hydrochlorothiazide. This combination medication is regularly used because it comes with two top choices for lowering blood pressure levels. Suffice to say, Losartan Potassium is not the same as Losartan HCTZ.

The difference is that the latter also contains hydrochlorothiazide. This could make the medication more effective for certain patients. These medications work differently. For instance, Losartan helps relax the blood vessels while lowering blood pressure levels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or a water pill.

It decreases the amount of water in the patient’s body by making them urinate more frequently. As a result, it can also lower blood pressure levels. Using the medications together may be wise for some patients.

In the last few years, the medical community experienced a shortage of Losartan Potassium. Unfortunately, this made it difficult for patients to refill their medications. This happened when the FDA discovered that some ARB drugs had nitrosamine impurities. These medications were recalled because they did not meet the safety standards set by the FDA.

More recently, three groups voluntarily recalled their Losartan products due to azido impurity levels. Patients should always call their local pharmacies before visiting. Doing so is the best way to ensure that Losartan is available. Otherwise, they may waste their time driving to the pharmacy.

It shouldn’t be too difficult to identify 100 mg tablets of Losartan since they have a unique appearance. Nevertheless, it is always best to avoid mixing medications. Losartan should be kept in a bottle by itself. The 100mg tablets are usually white or off-white. They have beveled edges and a round shape. Some will have an S printed on one surface and 113 on the opposite side.

Some manufacturers make green Losartan pills. Patients should familiarize themselves with these medications so they can avoid taking something else.

Patients may overdose on a variety of medications including Losartan. It is essential to never disobey the doctor’s orders because doing so will increase the risk that an overdose will occur. Taking too much Losartan will cause the patient to experience a handful of side effects, including heart palpitations, tiredness, and dizziness. In severe cases, the patient may experience fatal consequences.

Again, listen to the doctor and follow their instructions to avoid problems.

It is safe to take Losartan for long periods. After taking a dose, it is common for the medication’s effects to peak after one to two hours. The half-life is roughly two hours while the metabolites’ half-life can be up to nine hours. After approximately four hours, it is believed that 75% of the medication will be eliminated. After 10 hours, more than 96% of the medication will be eliminated from the body.

It is best to continue working with a licensed doctor. If the effects of Losartan decrease over time, the doctor can identify this issue and help the patient switch to another medication.

When reading Losartan 25 mg reviews, patients will find that the medication works quickly. Usually, the user will experience changes within an hour. However, they may not experience the full effects for many weeks. Although it will depend on the circumstances, some patients won’t receive the full benefits for up to six weeks. Others may benefit in three weeks or sooner.

How quickly does Losartan lower BP? It can usually lower the patient’s blood pressure in an hour. It may not provide long-term results until it has been used for several weeks. Again, patients must follow their doctor’s instructions and use Losartan as prescribed. Doing so is the only way to receive the full benefits of this medication.

Once someone has been prescribed Losartan, their doctor will tell them how to use this medication safely and effectively. Otherwise, the pharmacist can provide advice for taking this medication. Although Losartan is available in liquid form, it is not prescribed regularly. Instead, most patients will receive Losartan tablets that must be taken orally. Losartan pills can be taken with or without food.

Most patients will take one pill per day, but some can take Losartan twice a day to get the required dose. Patients have to be diligent about using Losartan to ensure that they’re going to get the full benefits. To avoid missing a dose, it is best to take it around the same time every day. Patients should continue taking Losartan even if they feel better.

Possible side effects include lightheadedness, dizziness, tiredness, and nausea. Speak to a medical professional when encountering any of these issues. It may be essential to stop using Losartan and switch to a suitable alternative.

Common side effects of Losartan 50 milligram side effects include hypotension (lower-than-normal blood pressure levels), weakness, dizziness, alterations in renal function, tiredness, orthostatic hypotension – a condition in which blood pressure lowers during positional changes – hyperkalemia, anemia, tar-colored stool, tingling sensation, confusion, drowsiness, and weakness in upper extremities.

Other less common side effects include back pain, dyspepsia (constant nausea), diarrhea, and heart rate irregularities.

Nurses should routinely check their Losartan patients’ blood pressure and plasma potassium levels. A higher-than-normal plasma potassium level is a condition known as hyperkalemia. Nurses should carefully monitor patients for signs – fatigue, bradycardia (slow pulse), paralysis, and numbness – of hyperkalemia.

Digoxin serum concentration must also be monitored carefully. A blood test to check Digoxin levels must be ordered routinely. Concentrations greater than 1.2 ng/ml increase potassium in the bloodstream and puts patients at risk of fatal arrhythmias.

Losartan is more often prescribed along with hydrochlorothiazide than any other antihypertensive medicine. Patients who have been diagnosed with hypertension and an enlarged heart can benefit greatly from combination treatment.

Hydrochlorothiazide, a prescription thiazide diuretic, works by increasing urine flow to rid the body of water. Without Hydrochlorothiazide, Losartan would ineffective in balancing the amount of water in the body.