The NHS common list: dizziness (worst early or standing fast - rise slowly, skip driving until it passes), tiredness, headache, tummy pain, nausea, and leg, ankle, or foot swelling.
The famous non-side-effect: no dry cough - losartan is the ARB doctors pick precisely when an ACE inhibitor's cough becomes unbearable. Periodic blood tests watch potassium and kidney function, which is also why potassium-based salt substitutes are a caution. The rare memorize-it reaction: angioedema - sudden lip, tongue, face, or throat swelling - stop and call emergency services. Hard no in pregnancy - this family can harm a fetus, so that conversation is explicit for anyone who could become pregnant. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you weigh a symptom.
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Common questions
What are the side effects of losartan?
Losartan is an ARB - the class doctors switch to when an ACE inhibitor's cough becomes unbearable - and most people feel nothing on it. The NHS's common list: dizziness (especially early, or standing up fast - rise slowly), tiredness, headache, tummy pain, nausea, and swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet. The dizziness usually fades within days to a couple of weeks; if you feel dizzy, skip driving until it passes. The famous non-side-effect: no dry cough - that is the whole reason ARBs exist as a class, so if you came to losartan from lisinopril, the cough should clear. The periodic checks: like other blood pressure drugs acting on the renin system, losartan can raise potassium and affect kidney function - your prescriber monitors with occasional blood tests, which is also why salt substitutes (potassium chloride) are a caution on ARBs. The rare-but-memorize reaction: angioedema - sudden swelling of lips, tongue, face, or throat - stop and call emergency services. Losartan is also a hard no in pregnancy - blood pressure drugs in this family can harm the fetus, so anyone who could become pregnant should have that conversation explicitly. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you weigh a symptom.