Losartan and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Taking losartan potassium, was on 25 mg first no side effects then was moved up to 50mg, started getting ear aches, back pain by kidneys, frequent urination. Was told needed to move up to 100mg as numbers were not showing improvement. Had extreme pain in neck, shoulders, blocked urine to only drops and it was cloudy and dark colored. I had swollen lymph nodes, extreme anxiety, rolling waves came every hour, depression, and complete lethargy. Believe that the white oval pill generic brand was contaminated, believe kidneys and body was resisting the filler in which happened to be poison. I think it was attacking every weakness in my 50-year-old body, including right eye, have slight lazy eye that was swelling and became blurry. Please be careful with exercise and diet for blood pressure 140 over 90, this is complete poison."

• BAM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Like many of the poor reviews on here, I had a similar experience. Blood pressure did not go down, it slightly increased after 3 weeks on a 50 mg dose. When I went to 75 mg, it got worse. Anxiety, severe back pain, heart pounding, headaches, and tense feelings all came with taking this drug. I have never had any of these symptoms before taking the drug. My blood pressure was never below 157/94. I stopped taking it and am on lisinopril 10 mg now. In the first two days on lisinopril, my blood pressure had dropped to the mid 130's/81. No side effects currently. If it were up to me, I would outlaw losartan."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 29, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I took Losartan 50 mg for months and it helped with my BP and kept it really low, like 105/70, except it caused severe back pain. But then they had a recall, and I am on a different brand and since then I have developed many side effects, including chronic left shoulder pain, anxiety, and tachycardia. It is causing my blood pressure to shoot up high at times. The doctor increased the dose to 100 mg and the back pain returned. I told my doctor about the anxiety and pain, but she said these are not side effect symptoms. She added Lopressor for the BP and tachycardia because I requested it, and I am weaning myself off the Losartan, myself now due to terrible side effects. You cannot take Motrin or similar meds while on Losartan, so you cannot even treat the back and shoulder pain. I did insist on an EKG due to the new tachycardia, and I am scheduled to see a cardiologist who I hope will be much better educated on these medications."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 29, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "My experience was a nightmare! I was given losartan as needed for high blood pressure. My first time taking it, I had massive palpitations and anxiety and ended up in the ER. When they checked my BP, it spiked up very high, and they told me to continue taking it and sent me home. But I didn't feel well, I had tingling all over my body, and I felt depressed. I went back to my doctor, and they told me to continue taking them with Xanax, but it made me feel worse. I decided to stop the medication, and slowly the symptoms went away, but it took time for the panic attacks to come off. My blood pressure went back to normal, but the panic attacks went away after 2 months. I can't imagine how I had this kind of reaction. But I'm also very sensitive to medicine."

• ARo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I know not everyone is affected the same exact way by a medication, and not everyone has terrible side effects from this medication - but personally, I had some very unfortunate side effects from this medicine. It gave me severe anxiety/panic attacks where I became very short of breath (just like an asthma attack), my heart was racing like crazy, terrible chest pains (feeling like I was about to have a heart attack), extreme anxiety and paranoia, and I honestly felt like I was going to die. It even kept me awake for a few days straight! At first, I thought it was the high blood pressure itself causing all this, but once I stopped taking the medicine, these terrible side effects improved right away and went away completely within a few days. It even made my blood pressure much worse, which surprised me because I was taking it to lower my blood pressure - perhaps all of the severe anxiety it caused me resulted in this. My experience with Losartan was terrible. I'll never take it again."

• RAa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 23, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "There is no doubt in my mind that Losartan contributes to anxiety. I've learned that my thoughts control my blood pressure, and through a conscious effort practicing positive thinking and, more importantly, realizing that I have no control over things that can happen, I am now thriving and have come off Losartan, and I feel like a new person. I also try to eat healthy and exercise, and it is like a whole new life."

• Gaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I've been put on Losartan as part of a post-op medication after having stents placed in my coronary arteries. Losartan definitely lowers my blood pressure, but there is no doubt that it causes anxiety and a feeling of fear. It seems to amplify an emotional response to any negative thoughts and gets you to fear those questions. I have found that changing my schedule for taking the medication also changes the schedule of the anxiety. i.e., it follows the taking of the drug by about 3 hours (which is when the drug peaks apparently). There is no doubt that anxiety and feelings of negative well-being are side effects. So if you're having an emotional reaction (in my case 3 hours after taking), this medication may be the cause. I am taking it just before bed to hopefully mask the feelings as I'll be asleep. TBD if it affects sleep."

• Eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Early on, but really bad anxiety. To the truly lovely 71-year-old lady whose BP was 145/82, I know two very well-thought-of cardiologists who are friends - very close, honest friends. They both say it’s highly questionable to make a 71-year-old at 145/82 take ANY BP med. Their advice would be: You can live your life to the fullest if you don’t take ANY BP meds. If you trust your cardiologist, then you should do what he/she says. But if you're kinda 50-50 on him/her, then I’d rethink taking any drugs at all."

• Wee...
• August 22, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Awful experience! Caused high levels of anxiety and depression. This then made my blood pressure spike. Also caused dry, blurry eyes and weird head pains. As soon as I came off and switched to beta blockers, the difference was phenomenal. It affects people in different ways, so always try it yourself and make your own judgment. Thank you."

• 3Da...
• March 29, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I think I have every side effect imaginable with Losartan HCT. Loose stools, anxiety, depression, no energy, body aches to the point it's hard to exercise, weight gain. I'm on 100/25 mg. I'm a 62-year-old female. It somewhat keeps blood pressure down, and I will be talking to my primary care doctor about adjusting the dose or trying something else. I'm too young and energetic to feel this bad."

• las...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I got on here to look into the mysterious symptoms that I've been getting. I started taking Losartan 25mg about 5-7 days ago and haven't felt right since. I've had indigestion, gas, stomach aching, sore muscles, exhaustion, maybe some anxiety, and poor eating. Looking at user reviews, the medicine either works great, or it works terrible. Many of the 1-star reviews point to the same digestive/stomach issues I'm having beginning on the day I started Losartan. Of course, my doctor shrugged off all the symptoms and thinks I need to 'stick with it.' I'll be finding a new doctor."

• Tod...
• September 21, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan caused severe anxiety and insomnia. I had to take time off from work, there was no way I could work. And this was only 25 mg pills. I wish my doctor would have told me how bad the side effects could be. It also caused my tennis that I had before to get much worse."

• Tha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I started 100 mg of Losartan on March 23rd (2 months ago). It’s been hell since. Headaches, blurred vision, and anxiety, and I don’t get out of bed until after 10 am when I used to get up at 7 am. The anxiety is more of a massive panic attack really, it comes on quickly, and it’s like I feel like I’ve got to get out of where I am. I can’t explain it really, but I talked to my doctor, and she said to cut the dose in half at first, but I explained that I’d rather go back to my other BP meds. So today I went back to lisinopril and am looking forward to feeling “normal” again soon."

• Jen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 13, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on Losartan for my high blood pressure after the beta blocker Metoprolol didn't seem to do the trick. Over the course of the year I was taking Losartan, it was gradually increased because it wasn't effective at the higher dose for very long. During this time, I began experiencing a tight throat and tongue, extreme anxiety. Once I was again moved higher, to the max dosage of 100 milligrams, the swelling in my tongue and throat became so bad I was taken to the ER three times. My doctor at the time never suggested withdrawing from Losartan. I finally went to a second doctor who took me off the Losartan cold turkey and put me on chlorthalidone instead. Five days since the immediate stop of Losartan, and the feeling of swelling in the throat and tongue as well as feeling like all of my muscles are constricted has been tenfold. I'm tired of going to the ER. This medicine poisons you."

• DCS...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I'm 72, a devoted jogger, and I've been on 50 mg Losartan at bedtime for 12 months. BP was regularly in the 150s, now (mostly) 120s, and I measure it almost every day at random times. My resting heartbeat has dropped by 12. No surprise, Losartan is often prescribed to treat tachycardia. When I go for a run, my heart spins up just fine to my normal 120-140 range. No anxiety, weight gain, etc."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "If I could rate Losartan a zero, I would. I took it for high blood pressure for 3 weeks. The first week was great - my BP was reduced almost immediately, and I felt no side effects. The second week, my BP started to increase again and my anxiety started to build for no apparent reason. The third week was a descent into hell - BP increasing more (as high as 215/145), and the anxiety turning into panic attacks, along with sensitivity to light and loud noises, blurred vision, and mouth sores. At first, I thought I was going psychotic, but reading in this forum about all the other patients with similar side effects was reassuring. After 4 days off Losartan, I started to feel better, but it's been a long road back. Now it's been nearly two months since I last took it, and I feel almost (but not quite) normal again. I've been on Amlodipine for 6 weeks, and so far it's working with minimal side effects."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I went to my cardiologist for high blood pressure, which is anxiety-related, which I’m taking alprazolam extended release for, and it’s been helping. I’m in perfect health otherwise as a 37-year-old woman. Well, I asked for a beta blocker because my psychiatrist said most likely that will help, but the cardiologist disagreed and gave me 25 mg of Losartan. I took the first pill, and within hours, my anxiety increased, heart palpitations, and moderate panic attacks. Later on in the evening, I felt nauseous for hours. I immediately discontinued the meds even though my doctor said to continue. It’s been 3 days I’ve been off of it, and my symptoms are still the same. It also started giving me suicidal ideation today, which I’ve NEVER had before. So, if you’re like me and diagnosed with generalized anxiety, I would not take this med because it will increase your anxiety like crazy. Oh, and it did nothing for my pressure, my pressure went up instead, which was scary. Listen to your body always."

• Sun...
• June 10, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Taken Losartan since Nov 2017, for high blood pressure. Have stuffy nose and terrible panic attacks randomly. Pain in knee and hip. Become very depressed and extremely anxious. Not a good medication for me, and it doesn't bring my BP down at all. Taking 25 mg, and Dr. wants me to take another extra dose of 12 mg, but I refuse as I cannot begin to contemplate how much more I will suffer with more of the dreaded stuff. Am going to research other options now and get off this. Had enough."

• Gaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking this medication for 2 months now, and I'm reporting back about the anxiety issue that I commented on originally. The medication still causes anxiety, and I now take it at 8 pm so that the anxiety/drug interaction peaks at 11 pm before bedtime. I have found that taking a Magnesium Glycinate supplement has helped a bit with the anxiety (a little bit), however, the drug's effectiveness has seemed to diminish (i.e., BP isn't lowered anymore). I'm not sure if this is an interaction or that my body has just gotten accustomed to it. I'm guessing I will likely stop meds when I discuss with Dr. as it's having no positive effects."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "This is the first blood pressure medication I have been on, and after one month, my experience has been terrible. I'm glad I found this site, as others have experienced serious problems like mine, which only added to my anxiety. I feel stuck in this circle where anxiety causes chest pain, and chest pain causes anxiety - it's just terrible! My biggest issue has been tightness in my left chest, which radiates throughout my shoulder and back. The only relief I can get from it is 800 mg ibuprofen. I also experience extreme vertigo at times, blurred vision, anxiety, and sleeplessness. I feel like my chest is bigger, which could be the pleural effusion I read about here. It's frustrating that drugs come with so many side effects. Statins also caused me trouble with unexplained pain. I won't be taking this drug anymore. I'm scheduled for a stress test tomorrow, but I'm canceling until I can get this medication out of my system."

• Joy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "The losartan caused side effects of anxiety and depression. I am only taking 12.5 mg at bedtime. It is not helping my blood pressure either. Probably need to increase the dose, but I just want off it. All these blood pressure meds have so many side effects. :("

• Jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 40-year-old African American female who has been taking Losartan for about three years, and I'm stopping today! I switched from Lisinopril to Losartan, and it worked for the first month. After that, I developed severe anxiety attacks and panic, which I had never experienced before in my whole life. I bought a blood pressure cuff to monitor my readings and noticed that on a day when I didn't take Losartan, my BP was normal. However, the next day when I took it, my BP was consistently high all day, reaching 157/108. Losartan makes your BP go into the danger zone, and even 25mg of Losartan potassium made me feel light-headed. All these drugs cause extra problems. I quit smoking four months ago, and I'm losing weight. My body is now in control without that medication, and it does make me feel like I have heart issues. It's safer to stop taking it and control your blood pressure naturally."

• Myr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 2, 2025

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor started me on losartan 25 mg, it was not enough, so he upped the dosage to 50 mg. I was taking this for about 3 months. Then the anxiety started. I went downhill from there. Just walking, I noticed pain in my hips and calves of my legs, this was followed by lethargy. As time went on, I couldn't seem to catch my breath. I started having a low-grade headache every day, all day. Then loss of appetite and weakness, I felt like I was going to pass out, seeing dark spots. Any physical movements, I would break into a heavy sweat. And not to be ignored, bowel movements were from small and soft to nearly none. I was so scared I had something serious. My doctor suggested I go to the ER, that's when I looked up the side effects. I could just about check off with every one on the list. I looked up the drug interactions, 323 of them, and I had about 10 of them. I refused to take one more of these pills. After about 5 days and 18-20 activated charcoal pills, that's been almost a week, I'm still having problems."

• dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 17, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Losartan 50 mg tabs for almost one year. Previously, I was prescribed Lisinopril for high blood pressure issues, but the dry cough it gave me was just way too annoying. It took almost 6 weeks to see my BP decrease. Now my readings are almost never over 120/65, and my resting heartbeat averages 60 bpm. I haven't noticed any side effects, no dry cough, no anxiety issues. I agree with other commenters, no drug is without issues for many patients, but this fits my needs, and I am very satisfied with the results. I might add that I am very active and get lots of exercise. Those with anxiety issues might find that daily exercise will be of some relief."

• Tic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I switched from an ACE to an ARB due to a mild cough. The cough got worse, then came the tiredness, anxiety, loose bowels, and heart palpitations. After 12 days on this med, I am discontinuing. I have had OHS and AVR surgery and honestly was feeling great till I started this med. Time to find something else that doesn't ruin my overall well-being."