Losartan and Back Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• rub...
• February 12, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have taken Losartan 50 mg for about 2 years. I had to stop. I am with left leg and back pain for 2 months. It is a side effect. Doctor prescribed me another one yesterday. All I can say is that Losartan has too many side effects."

• Mis...
• October 4, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I began taking Lisinopril in 5/2017. Within 2 weeks, I started having upper back, shoulder, arm, and rib pain on my right side. Just got a brand new desk and chair at work and thought that was the culprit. Started seeing a chiropractor, didn't seem to help. On 7/31/17, I went to the ER. I felt like I was having a heart attack, so it made it worse, and I had a panic attack on top of it. They did all precautionary testing, good news, my heart was fine. But I explained I had a cough from the BP I was on, so they switched me to 25mg Losartan. Things got worse. I've been to a rheumatologist, ENT, and GI specialist, and back to the ER. After extensive blood work, X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, and medications that I probably don't need, I am finally convinced it is the Losartan, which has caused acid reflux, high liver enzymes, and recently a diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver. I have started to wean myself off them. When I see my GP next month, I am telling either to switch it or I will not be taking BP medicine."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Male, 53, good shape. Was prescribed Losartan 50 mg 4 weeks ago. As soon as I started taking it, I came down with what I thought was the flu. It's early September, making the flu highly unlikely. My GP, 3 hours away from me, refused to examine me over the phone and told me to go to urgent care. Went to the ER 3 times. They dismissed my suggestion that it was the Losartan, my blood work was fine. They gave me fluids, which made me feel better. Losartan took my appetite away. Horrible stomach and back pain combined with an overall feeling of general nausea. I'm a sharp person, but I feel confused on it. Almost incapacitated. I stopped taking Losartan 2 weeks ago. I feel way better. Still having side effects. I need to eat a meal every 3-4 hours or the whole thing comes back! I can't believe they prescribe this. Terrible."

• mou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I started on Losartan potassium 25 mg 3 months ago for high BP, and now I have developed bad lower back pain (I have never had back problems) and had a flare-up of diverticulitis, after having no flare-up for 10 years. Also, now there is yet another recall on this drug. It is not made in the USA. Does anyone know if the brand name Cozaar, which is made in France, is safer?"

• Cin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Started taking Losartan because of the expense of Benicar, which I had taken for over 10 years. Over a year ago, I had been on Flecainide, and I started having vision problems. No one could find the source, treated me for uveitis with prednisone, and problems went away. This past winter, started taking Losartan, and my vision has gotten worse again. Losing vision in the right eye. Went to see a specialist, all tests came back negative, wants to do a procedure to withdraw fluid and test for lymphoma. I think my eye problems are from the Losartan. Another poster said they had loss of vision in the right eye too. Losartan has not helped my blood pressure, still high systolic, lower number good, but I think pacemaker controls it. Have excruciating back pain and joint."

• Saf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on losartan 25 mg for about 3 months now for slightly high bp, 155/93 or thereabouts. I am a 62 yo female who was working full time. The drug works fine for me, no dizziness or nausea. However, I have begun to notice some joint pain in my right elbow and left wrist, which may or may not be related to the drug. It's just that I didn't have it before. I did have a bout with left side backache for 3 days that I thought was kidney, but there were no other symptoms of kidney issues, so I just hitted water bottled it, and it went away. No issues other than the sore joints. Not taking any other meds, so no interactions."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 13, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Works well with minimal side effects for the most part, however, I had to switch pharmacies and the manufacturer of losartan to eliminate the back cramps, which are the most common side effect. BP stays at 115/70 now on 25 mg. On the lowest dosage, as diet change had a huge impact."

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I was switched to this after Valsartan was recalled. Didn't make the connection but have been taking it almost 2 months. In the beginning, I was very anxious and shaky. I had to go to a neurologist. Then I had terrible hip pain and back pain. Then I developed random hives. Doctor took me off, and I feel better. I am only on a diuretic and don't want any HBP pills again if I can control it by lifestyle changes."

• Lis...
• February 16, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 23-year-old with a blood pressure of 150/95. My doctor put me on this medication as my first ever blood pressure medication. Since taking it, I have had awful shooting back pain to the point where I can't sit down for a long period of time! After reading the side effects related to this medication, I am putting the back pain down to this medication and will definitely be stopping it!"

• Juj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "On 25 mg Losartan Potassium for 3 months. I am exhausted, and my eyes feel like I cannot keep them open. Low back pain has worsened. I am very sensitive to any prescription drugs—hoping to change meds soon. BP has gone down to 128/80 and does not spike as high. But also taking 2.5 mg of amlodipine. These drugs are nasty."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I realize each person can react differently to any prescribed medication, and interactions with other prescribed medications can be a factor. I was prescribed losartan by my primary care doctor. I had side effects that were intolerable: back pain and spasms of an incredible nature, plus thigh/hamstring pain. Nightmares! Panic attacks, lethargy, dizzy as anything, not just upon arising. I have tried other blood pressure medications too, but losartan (50 mg) once a day was by far the worst medication I have taken for hypertension, possibly the worst medication ever! Read up on the numerous recalls also!"

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I thought it was just me! I've been on Losartan about 3 weeks. It makes your eyelids flutter, rash, lymph nodes tender, swollen under the left armpit, extreme itching on the left shoulder, can't hardly stand for anything to touch it, so tender and burning itching (I'm usually very active but) very tired, ear pain, back pain, insomnia, hair shedding, lightheaded, legs heavy cramping. I called my doctor just like some of the reviews, they claim it's not from the meds... RUBBISH! I mentioned the recall! He tells me to stop taking it until my appointment Tuesday... This medication is horrible. Don't take it!"

• Mem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "High BP 188/110 even into the 230s and 240s over the 110s in doctor's offices. Get home BP drops into the 120s or 130s over the 80s and 90s. High, high, high-stress job with difficult family issues collide. Started Cozaar, immediately lowered to 100s over 60s, bounce 110s over 70s, extreme watery diarrhea for two days, followed by excruciating, debilitating lower left back pain for 5 days, nearly called 911 at onset. 2% of patients experience this back pain, but my Dr. stated back pain is not a side effect of Cozaar-such bologna. Both hamstrings cramped at the same time two nights ago, resulting in being stuck face down and sideways on the floor for 15 minutes, unable to move. Excessively exhausted, no energy, loss of appetite, sharp stomach pains after eating. 50 mg a day starting week three. Can't wait to see what happens next."

• Jlb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Severe low back pain on 100 mg losartan when getting up from sitting. Started lowest dose years ago and slowly side effects went away. Just went up from 50 to 100 mg and really bad low back pain on muscles when getting up from sitting positions. Does not hurt walking, standing, or walking slowly on treadmill. I know from experience that CoQ10 100 mg works for cholesterol pain. Does anyone know of something similar that will work on BP meds?"

• Cha...
• February 17, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Very bad back pain after 5 weeks on losartan medication - just made the connection. Thought it was my arthritis. Stopped taking it to see if back pain will go away."

• Cd8...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Has controlled blood pressure a little, been having lots of hair loss, back pain, ear problems, anxiety to panic attacks, stomach trouble. Doctors need to explain the side effects."