Losartan Potassium

Commonly reported side effects of losartan include: asthenia, chest pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and hypoglycemia. Other side effects include: hyperkalemia, hypotension, and orthostatic hypotension. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to losartan: oral tablet

Along with its needed effects, losartan may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking losartan:

More common

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• anxiety
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blurred vision
• chills
• cold sweats
• coma
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• depression
• difficult breathing
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• frequent urge to urinate
• headache
• increased hunger
• irregular heartbeat
• lower back or side pain
• nausea or vomiting
• nightmares
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pale skin
• seizures
• shakiness
• shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness or heaviness of the legs

Rare

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness or heaviness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• inability to speak
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• severe or sudden headache
• sweating
• swelling or puffiness of the face
• temporary blindness
• unsteadiness or awkwardness
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
• weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Incidence not known

• Black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• cough
• dark urine
• difficulty with swallowing
• general tiredness and weakness
• hives
• itching
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• light-colored stools
• muscle cramps or spasms
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• skin rash
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• yellow eyes and skin

Some side effects of losartan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Blindness
• body aches or pain
• decreased vision
• dry cough
• ear congestion
• loss of voice
• nasal congestion
• runny nose
• sneezing
• sore throat

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• back pain
• belching
• difficulty with moving
• heartburn
• increased sensitivity to pain
• increased sensitivity to touch
• indigestion
• joint pain
• lack or loss of strength
• pain in the knees or legs
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• stomach discomfort or upset
• swollen joints
• trouble sleeping
• weight gain

Rare

• Ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
• bloated
• change or loss of taste
• depression
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• dry skin
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• full feeling
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• hearing loss
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• loss of appetite
• passing gas
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• severe sunburn
• weight loss

Applies to losartan: oral tablet

The most common adverse reactions were upper respiratory infection and dizziness.

Common (1% to 10%): Nasal congestion, upper respiratory infection, sinusitis, pharyngitis, cough, sinus disorder

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea

Frequency not reported: Bronchitis, pharyngeal discomfort, epistaxis, rhinitis, respiratory congestion

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Obstipation, vomiting

Frequency not reported: Constipation, dental pain, dry mouth, flatulence, gastritis

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle cramp, back pain, leg pain, myalgia

Frequency not reported: Arm pain, hip pain, joint swelling, knee pain, musculoskeletal pain, shoulder pain, stiffness, arthralgia, arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle weakness

Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis

Common (1% to 10%): Renal impairment, renal failure, BUN increased, serum creatinine increased

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, vertigo

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence

Rare (less than 0.1%): Paresthesia, syncope, cerebrovascular accident

Frequency not reported: Ataxia, hypesthesia, memory impairment, migraine, peripheral neuropathy, tremor, taste perversion, tinnitus

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia/fatigue, edema/swelling, chest pain

Frequency not reported: Facial edema, fever, orthostatic effects

Postmarketing reports: Malaise

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia, serum potassium increased, hypoglycemia

Frequency not reported: Anorexia, gout

Postmarketing reports: Hyponatremia

Common (1% to 10%): Orthostatic hypotension

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitation, angina pectoris

Rare (less than 0.1%): Atrial fibrillation

Frequency not reported: Second degree atrioventricular block, hypotension, myocardial infarction, sinus bradycardia, tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, flushing

Postmarketing reports: Vasculitis

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sleep disorder

Frequency not reported: Anxiety, anxiety disorder, confusion, depression, dream abnormality, libido decreased, nervousness, panic disorder

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hemolysis

Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, hemoglobin decreased, hematocrit decreased

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, pruritus, rash

Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema, superficial peeling of palms

Frequency not reported: Alopecia, dermatitis, dry skin, ecchymosis, erythema, photosensitivity, sweating

Postmarketing reports: Erythroderma

Rare (less than 0.1%): ALT increased

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, liver enzymes increased, serum bilirubin increased, pancreatitis, liver function abnormalities

Frequency not reported: Impotence, nocturia, urinary frequency, urinary tract infection

Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, burning/stinging in the eye, conjunctivitis, visual acuity decreased

Frequency not reported: Flu-like symptoms

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions, hypersensitivity reactions