What is losartan?
- Type of drug: angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
- Use: high blood pressure (hypertension); CKD with protein in urine (especially diabetes); chronic heart failure (CHF)
- Dose: 25-100 mg once a day
- Side-effects:
- Hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium level) – that you will not normally notice
- AKI – mainly in patients with renovascular disease.
- Monitor: U+E, potassium.
Note 1. Other ARBs include Candesartan, Irbesartan, Valsartan, Telmisartan, and Olmesartan
Note 2. Do NOT use with ACE
Note 3: ACE inhibitors should be avoided in pregnancy.
Other resources
CKD drug side-effects
CKD patient information (CKD Explained’s 30+ core articles about CKD)
Losartan (BNF)
Review article: Mulla, 2022
Last Reviewed on 5 May 2024