II. Indications

  1. See Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
  2. Hypertension
  3. Cardiovascular Secondary Prevention
  4. Congestive Heart Failure (not FDA approved)
  5. Diabetic Nephropathy

III. Contraindications

IV. Mechanism

V. Dosing: Adults

  1. Consider twice daily divided dosing (shorter acting than newer ARBs)
  2. Hypertension, Cardiovascular Secondary Prevention, Diabetic Nephropathy
    1. Start: 50 mg orally daily
    2. Start 25 mg daily if concurrent Diuretic use, elderly or hepatic Impairment
  3. Congestive Heart Failure (not FDA approved)
    1. Start 12.5 mg orally daily
    2. Target 50 mg orally daily
  4. Maximum 100 mg/day

VI. Medications: Combinations

  1. Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan (Hyzaar)

VII. Adverse Effects

VIII. Safety

  1. See Angiotensin Receptor Blocker
  2. Pregnancy Category X
  3. Unknown Safety in Lactation

X. Drug Interactions

  1. Losartan drug levels may be increased by potent CYP3A4 Inhibitors (e.g. Fluconazole, Erythromycin)
  2. Losartan drug levels may be decreased by potent CYP3A4 Inducers (e.g. Rifampin)

XII. References

  1. (2018) Presc Lett, Resource #340901, Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) Antihypertensive Dose Comparison
  2. (2020) Med Lett Drugs Ther 62(1598): 73-80
  3. Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 66-7
  4. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies

Cost: Medications

losartan (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM 100 MG TAB Generic $0.08 each
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM 25 MG TAB Generic $0.04 each
LOSARTAN POTASSIUM 50 MG TAB Generic $0.05 each
LOSARTAN-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 100-12.5 MG TAB Generic $0.13 each
LOSARTAN-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 100-25 MG TAB Generic $0.14 each
LOSARTAN-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 50-12.5 MG TAB Generic $0.12 each
cozaar (on 1/14/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
COZAAR 100 MG TABLET Generic $0.08 each
COZAAR 50 MG TABLET Generic $0.05 each
hyzaar (on 2/23/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
HYZAAR 100-25 TABLET Generic $0.14 each
HYZAAR 50-12.5 TABLET Generic $0.12 each

Ontology: Losartan (C0126174)

Definition (CHV) a drug used to treat hypertension
Definition (CHV) a drug used to treat hypertension
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) A drug used to treat high blood pressure. Losartan blocks the action of chemicals that make blood vessels constrict (get narrower). It is a type of angiotensin II receptor antagonist.
Definition (NCI) The potassium salt form of losartan, a non-peptide angiotensin II antagonist with antihypertensive activity. Losartan potassium selectively and competitively blocks the binding of angiotensin II to the angiotensin I (AT1) receptor. Angiotensin II, formed from angiotensin I by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), stimulates the adrenal cortex to synthesize and secrete aldosterone, which decreases the excretion of sodium and increases the excretion of potassium. Angiotensin II also acts as a vasoconstrictor in vascular smooth muscle. Losartan potassium, by blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the AT 1 receptor, promotes vasodilatation and decreases the effects of aldosterone.
Definition (MSH) An antagonist of ANGIOTENSIN TYPE 1 RECEPTOR with antihypertensive activity due to the reduced pressor effect of ANGIOTENSIN II.
Definition (CSP) antihypertensive agent; nonpeptide angiotension 1 subtype; angiotension 2 receptor antagonist/inhibitor.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D019808
SnomedCT 373567002, 96309000
LNC LP171619-2
English Losartan, lozartan, 2-Butyl-4-chloro-1-((2'-(1H-etrazol-5-yl) (1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl)methyl)-1H-imidazole-5-methanol, 2-Butyl-4-chloro-1-[[2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]methyl]-1H-imidazole-5-methanol, Losartan [Chemical/Ingredient], LOSARTAN, losartan, Losartan (product), Losartan (substance)
Swedish Losartan
Czech losartan
Finnish Losartaani
Russian LOZARTAN, ЛОЗАРТАН
Japanese ロサルタン, ロザルタン
Croatian LOSARTAN
Spanish losartano, Losartán, losartano (sustancia), losartán (producto), losartán (sustancia), losartán
Polish Losartan
French Losartan
Portuguese Losartano, Losartan
German Losartan
Italian Losartan

Ontology: Cozaar (C0591301)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D019808
English cozaar, Cozaar