Losartan and Cough: What Users Say (Page 2)

• sha...
• August 28, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I have taken 1-100 mg per day for 1 month. I have a runny nose and cough, and it is not going away. Blood pressure is wonderful. I am tired of the runny nose and cough, and I am sure everyone around is also. Doctor suggested trying Metoprolol. I will maybe try it out tonight."

• mr ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Started taking losartan on Saturday, January 23rd, 2016. After my 3rd daily dose of 50 milligrams, I developed a dry cough that lasted approximately 6 hours, and I was coughing about every 3 minutes. I coughed so hard that I eventually had blood spotting in my spit. I developed a massive headache and I was vomiting. Over the night, I developed a high temperature of approximately 102.2 degrees. I went to urgent care for some medical attention and told them about all the side effects I was having, which were as follows: heart rate increased from approximately 78 beats per minute to 114 beats per minute. I had increased blood pressure of 160/104. I had pain in my jaw and right bicep. I was urinating approximately every 20 minutes. And more horror!"

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I had taken Micardis. It worked very well. Then the doctor said I could go on lisinopril, which would be much cheaper. However, I had a terrible cough. Then he switched me to losartan. I have been on this for a week, and the cough is much worse. I did not have a problem paying for Micardis, so I'm going back."

• Lyn...
• June 1, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on Losartan 100 mg for over a year. I have gained weight and look bloated. I thought I was drinking too much beer and stopped all alcohol. Nothing changed. The biggest side effect was the inflammation of my left parotid gland with pain. My throat also swelled. My doctor sent me to an ENT doctor, and I had an MRI. That was clear. No one knew what caused it until I finally found this as a side effect of Losartan by googling. Not every article showed this as a side effect. I am currently switching, but seem to have problems with a dry cough when I take other BP meds. My issue is that it's so hard to lose weight so you can go off any BP medication. Endless cycle."

• los...
• September 9, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "This med is terrible for me. Extreme 'head rushes' when suddenly standing up from a kneeling position, almost passing out. Shortness of breath, heart rate at 98-120 beats per minute when calm. Very little, if any, change in blood pressure. Sore throat with a slight cough and also a sore back, like others are noticing while on this drug. I quit smoking almost a month ago to get healthy and lower blood pressure naturally. I am not comfortable with any of these meds' side effects."

• Dav...
• September 12, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Lisinopril gave me a bad cough and sinus draining. 100 mg of Losartan potassium lowered BP from 155 to 118 with no side effects at all. I worried that was too low, but yesterday news said 120 was the new target, so I feel great about it. I'm 65, male, 220 lbs. BP had started rising to 130 at 63 years, then up to 140 the next year, then quickly to 150 and started hitting 155 when I had to tell my doctor to do something about it."

• Rob...
• July 4, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Doc switched me from lisinopril to losartan because I had a cough. Been on this for two weeks and from day 1 had weak legs, a heavy feeling in my head, confusion, and insomnia. By the second week, started having heart palpitations, dizziness, and tingling in my right foot. The last straw was red, itchy eyes and a swollen/sore throat. Stopping this tonight. Rather take lisinopril and deal with the cough until I see my new doctor on Friday. Think it also makes me tired, constipated, nauseous, and without appetite. Did not look at side effects first, but when I listed how I was feeling since taking this drug, they were right there. I'll keep looking for something better, but am also following the DASH diet and have lost 30 lbs recently, so hope to be off this drug soon."

• nck...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Was on 100 mg Metoprolol, 10 mg Lisinopril, but Lisinopril caused intestinal angioedema (OUCH), so I was switched to 50 mg of Losartan, 5 mg Bystolic. Felt SO MUCH BETTER right away. Didn't lower my BP as much as other drugs, but enough to be 120/75 regularly (unmedicated would be 150/100). Have lost some excess weight, crave protein, and have to eat frequently, otherwise, I get hypoglycemic very quickly. My ribs are a little sore, and I get stitches quite often, but it's a minor annoyance compared to how Lisinopril made me feel. No cough or swelling here, which seem to be common side effects. I would recommend this drug."

• APa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "After taking this medicine, I developed a serious non-stop cough and cold symptoms. I tried cold and cough medications that didn't work. I decided to stop taking it, and by three days after, all the symptoms stopped."

• 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."

• Wal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Was taken off all BP medications about a year ago after lifestyle changes eliminated the need. Due to recent stress situations, hypertension came back. BP was 180/100. Went to the doctor who put me back on Losartan Potassium 50 mg. It's been a couple of weeks now, and my BP is down to 120/80 range, which is good. However, side effects are so debilitating. Wheezing, dry cough, headache, mood swings, irregular heartbeat (scary), heartburn, and the worst effect is the inability to concentrate. I'm in a total fog, but thinking clearly enough to remember this was some of the same stuff I dealt with over the years I was taking it before, though less intense back then. Maybe my sensitivity has increased since being off it for a while and coming back to it. Nasty stuff. I can't go on taking it and have contacted my doctor."

• T-P...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking Losartan for sudden high blood pressure a few months ago. I've noticed that my skin is having breakouts on my shoulders and chest, which is not normal for me at all. I've had this reaction on birth control before, so after thinking about it, the timing of this symptom with my starting this drug matches up. I've also lately been having a terrible time sleeping, feeling unusually exhausted during the day and evening, and been having a cough with hacking up phlegm that won't go away. I've also had unusual muscle pains. I don't know for sure if any of these things are related to this drug, but after reading the comments here, I see most are happening to other people too. I think I'm going to stop taking this and see what happens."

• 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."

• Pat...
• September 24, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I am on 37.5 mg Losartan after switching from amlodipine. It has probably caused symptoms like I can't take a deep breath, having a cough. I need to urinate often, and it relaxes your blood vessels, so that makes sense. Exercise is the best thing to keep my BP down, and I'm trying to lose weight so I can get off BP medications completely. I walk on the treadmill or stairmaster at lunch, and my BP is lower on days I exercise. I encourage everyone to really try to lose just 10 pounds - if you lose even 10 pounds, you can probably lower your dose of the medication (under your doctor's advice), and the smaller dosage you need to take, the fewer side effects you will have! Just try it - I wish you luck!"

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure is down, but I've gained almost 10 lbs in 1 year, and I don't sleep well. Also, I always feel tired and feel pressure in my chest. And after reading all the comments, I found I have a few more that didn't even occur to me until now. My daughter mentioned that it seemed like I developed a nervous tick of scratching my arms... well... they're itchy!... also have a strange dry cough that happens randomly. I'm 42, 5'2" tall, and currently weigh 133 lbs... almost 10 more than last year. I have a physically demanding job, and I'm on my feet all day. I exercise 3-4 days a week: Zumba and sculpting class. For a while, I was running around 3-4 miles a day. I eat very healthy. All meals are home-cooked, and I eat clean."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 5, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I stopped taking this medication after developing headaches and painful nasal dryness, as well as a cough. My doctor prescribed losartan after lisinopril caused a horrendous cough. So now I'm wondering, what next?"

• Anonymous
• April 27, 2010

Losartan "I have been on Cozaar for many years. I did have a nagging cough, which neither I nor my doctor connected to Cozaar. She thought the cough might be due to reflux, and I started taking generic Omeprazole (Prilosec), and the cough went away. I don't know if the Cozaar was causing the indigestion, but if you like taking Cozaar and have a cough, you might try this."

• 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."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Lisinopril and developed the dry cough with stress incontinence. My doctor changed my medication for blood pressure to losartan, and now I have the same exact symptoms: dry cough with stress incontinence. I also am having major hair loss, but thankfully no balding yet. My doctor says I have lots of drainage in the back of my throat, causing me to cough. She is having me take two allergy pills per day, but it's been weeks and the cough isn't getting any better. Not sure what medication she will switch me to, but I sure hope this gets resolved soon. Too young to have stress incontinence."

• W T...
• June 12, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I had been on reserpine (rauwolfia serpentina) for about 10 years. It worked great for controlling BP and kept me in the 110/70 range. But in the last 2 years, I started having constant stomach pain, which turned out to be a side effect and had to stop. Switched to lisinopril, which caused a constant throat tickle, but worked. Switched to 50 mg losartan a couple months ago, and it didn't control BP that well. It drifted up to the 154/85 range with some higher spikes if I had coffee. The losartan also gave me a persistent dry cough. Now on 80 mg valsartan twice a day, and so far, not too impressed. BP continues to be higher than desired. Its effectiveness for my body is about the same as the losartan. May need to switch to a different class of meds."

• Fig...
• June 29, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan has been very effective controlling my BP. Started at 100 mg, which made me extremely tired and lethargic. I cut back to 75 mg (1 50 mg/ 1 25 mg). I am experiencing intermittent dry cough and extremely dry mouth during the night. After 4 years, I am beginning to experience some of the other documented side effects like dizziness and stiff/sore muscles. However, I have had fewer side effects with Losartan than other BP meds. (I am 69 with an enlarged aorta)"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I switched to this medication from Enalapril as I was experiencing an annoying cough. I literally took the first dose yesterday (50 mg). Was tired all day but did not connect the two. Then by 8 pm, I was noticing labored breathing and shortness of breath when simply sitting watching TV! Woke up around 5:30 am short of breath too. Today I went to the gym as normal, but I am still finding breathing a bit labored. Went back to Enalapril in the meantime. But all this after one dose? Thought it was coincidence, but I see others having issues. Will not be taking it again. It does lower BP, but being able to breathe would be nice :)"

• jos...
• August 6, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I used losartan instead of lisinopril for about five weeks, but stopped because I started to feel deeply depressed. I am back on lisinopril again, ready to accept the concomitant cough. Losartan was effective in keeping my blood pressure down. However, my depression was an unacceptable byproduct. Interestingly, I returned to normal after returning to lisinopril."

• cgb...
• September 11, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Went down with vertigo 11 months ago. Finally diagnosed a minor stroke causing vestibular neuritis. The treatment has been to try and lower BP so that minor arteries feeding the inner ear relax to get balance back. I was not quite hyper when tested by GP but well over when tested over 24 hours. First drug tried was Amlodipine (10 mg), which did lower BP to 135/85. However, this gave side effects (swollen ankles, breathlessness, poor sleep). The next was Riparin (2.5 mg), which also gave side effects (dry cough, lack of energy, breathlessness). I am now on Losartan 50 mg (for 5 days now) and again find some side effects, breathlessness, tiredness - not reduced BP, which is 140/100. Needs to be increased but hopefully side effects will wear off?"

• The...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 30, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I take losartan 50 mg twice a day for blood pressure and to protect the kidneys. I have stage three chronic kidney disease. The only side effect is a dry cough. It's a good blood pressure lowering drug."