Losartan medications belong under a class of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), which are used for treating the symptoms of high blood pressure (hypertension). These are available only on a doctor’s prescription and can be used alone or together with some other medications to bring down the blood pressure to a safe range. These medicines reduce the risk of high blood pressure complications such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, kidney damage, or stroke.
The medicine works by suppressing a substance in the body that is responsible for constricting the blood vessels. The constriction affects the flexibility of the blood vessels and they become narrow and hard. The medicine relieves these constrictions and increases the relaxation of the blood vessels. This relaxation reduces the pressure exerted by the blood on the blood vessels, and thereby the blood pressure lowers.
These medicines come in tablet form for oral administration. An appropriate dose will be prescribed to you depending on the medical condition and your response to the treatment. It is necessary to follow your doctor’s instructions and take your medications as recommended.
In addition, these medicines might interact with certain drugs, which can lead to side effects. So, to eliminate the risk of side effects due to drug-drug interactions, you must inform your doctor about all the medications or supplements that you are currently taking.
Losartan side effects
The side effects generally experienced due to this medicine can be mild to serious. Let us see some common types of side effects one might develop after taking the medicine:
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Back pain
- Chest pain
- Respiratory infections or cold
- Stuffy nose and sore throat
- Fluctuations in the blood pressure
- Stuffy nose
- Low blood sugar
These are common types of symptoms that may take around a few days to a week to fully disappear. If you continue to experience any of these symptoms for long, to the point where it becomes bothersome, then you must talk to your doctor.
Moreover, some individuals might experience serious side effects of these medicines, which may include:
- Allergic reaction – indicated by symptoms such as swelling on the face, lips, tongue, and throat.
- High potassium levels in the blood – indicated by muscle weakness, slow heart rate, and heart rhythm problems.
- Severe drop in blood pressure – indicated by dizziness and fainting.
- Sudden weight gain.
- Kidney disease – indicated by symptoms like swelling in the feet, legs, and ankles.
In case of serious side effects, one must be rushed to the healthcare provider, as these symptoms require immediate medical attention and treatment.
Losartan and erectile dysfunction
Some studies have found that the usage of Losartan medications can improve sexual function and help in treating the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). A condition like erectile dysfunction is the result of a lack of blood flow to the penile, which happens due to the constrictions of the penile blood vessels. But these medicines have vasodilator properties, which relieve the constrictions and relax the blood vessels, thereby allowing more blood to flow inside the penile to support the erection function. Thus, Losartan might treat erectile dysfunction.
