Losartan and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

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

For High Blood Pressure "After 5 days of taking Losartan, I experienced the most intense headache I’ve ever had. Then again, just yesterday - another debilitating headache. My BP increased up to 214/116, and I was in the ER within the hour. I took it again this morning, and within 3 hours, another major headache. So tomorrow I see my PCP to stop. I was a long-time user of Nifedipine and requested a change because of continued swollen legs and ankles. I’ve read so many reviews and articles about Losartan that I no longer want to take it. The only good thing I can say about this medication is that my legs and ankles are no longer swollen. Thank you, everyone, for your honesty about your experience; a week and a half is enough for me…"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Starting losartan at 50 mg didn’t do much for my blood pressure. Doc increased my dose to 100 mg. I experienced minimal side effects until about month 4. Dizziness, feelings of fainting, terrible headaches, nausea. I could not function. I told my doctor, and he advised it was the losartan. I am trying a different medication and pray to God it works. Losartan did not."

• bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "This med had a few side effects that started as soon as I was taking it. It affected my taste right away and also gave me a headache and a light-headed feeling for several hours after taking. After three days, I was taken off this, and all the side effects went away. I was told these effects could take 4 to 6 weeks to maybe clear up."

• nll...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "So, I've been on Losartan for about 16 days now. I also try to tell my PCP, 'Listen, I've been experiencing side effects like the dizzy spells, low energy, muscle pains and cramps, headaches, lightheaded.' Oh well, they just brushed it off. It is funny they always mention anxiety in the PCP office as well, and they referred me to an office to discuss what and how to approach it. As I didn't have any anxiety until I quit smoking about 3 months ago as well. Anywho, I'm thankful for seeing all of these posts before anything drastic happens to me, other symptoms-wise, and will be speaking to my PCP on Monday about coming in to wean off Losartan, as they told me I have elevated BP and prescribed this Losartan right away. Was 140/80, sometimes in the 130s/80s."

• FL ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "On Losartan 25 mg for 3 yrs, after a heart attack. Just discovered side effects are related to the med. At first, Losartan dropped BP extremely low & couldn't stay awake or function. Reduced dose from daily to every other day. After a year, developed a chronic dry cough. At the same time, developed an adverse reaction called Interstitial Granulomatous Dermatitis, which is a rare skin disorder. I’ve had both cough & IGD for 2 yrs, happening simultaneously. Changing my med to see if both clear up. Other side effects are heart palpitations, extreme anxiety, depression, dizziness, leg muscle weakness, joint pain, achy shoulder blades, arms & hands, numbness and tingling in hands/feet, headaches, fatigue, sudden weight gain, abdominal pain, hair loss, acid reflux."

• var...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2025

For Diabetic Kidney Disease "I take Losartan 50 mg early morning once a day, it often makes me have a headache and makes it difficult to sleep. Especially when I wake up at midnight, I cannot sleep back and keep my eyes open the whole night. However, it has a good effect of lowering blood pressure systolic between 110/80 and 130/90."

• MJa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 18, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking Losartan and Amlodipine, max dosage for approximately six months, and I have noticed a significant decrease in blood pressure, quite pleased with results. No side effects, except I do wake with a headache sometimes. Can't say if it is due to medication or other factors, though."

• Fli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 30, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "After taking losartan for many years, when the pharmacy refilled using Aurobindo Mfg, I had a constant headache, and my BP went up. After talking to the doctor, he changed my meds. I believe it's something in this brand/manufacturer that was the problem. Fine now."

• Aud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed losartan 50 mg by my primary care physician, a change from HCTZ 12.5 and lisinopril 5 mg. After about 1 week, I started experiencing headaches that got worse when I went on vacation. I usually check my BP at home, but I didn’t take my cuff with me. When I got home, I checked my BP. 218/111!!! Highest it’s ever been before. Fortunately, my doctor was on call for the weekend. She advised me to take my old medication and boom, it came right down to 130/73. Needless to say, I’m back on the old ones!! I’ll take the cramping over those high numbers!!"

• Mak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I am going into my fourth year on 100 mg of Losartan. Blood pressure is still around 180/95. But I am not experiencing the bad symptoms others are having. No headaches, palpitations, vertigo, upset stomach, etc. The pills I purchase come in different forms and colors. I sometimes wonder if the quality is tested or not. I had one 90-day prescription that was made overseas. Yeah, it was a generic brand. Maybe it doesn't really work, never made any improvements in my BP."

• Ida...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 22, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I took this med for a year, and my legs began to feel extremely heavy. I was fatigued, no energy, wanted to sleep, my joints hurting, eyes and head hurting. When I cut it in half, I felt better, much better, but it still was too strong and lowered my BP to 70/40. I passed out and sustained a concussion. Another ER doc took me off of it when I was not changed from it by my reg doctor, and now I feel like my whole life is back. I am on Norvasc now… what a difference! This Cozaar was too strong…"

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 50 mg Losartan for extremely high blood pressure and decreased kidney function for a little over a year now. My blood pressure was still pretty high, so my doc prescribed Felodipine 2.5 mg to take along with it about a month ago. My BP came down just slightly, but definitely not enough to be considered in normal range (170/90's). I took it upon myself to cut the dose of Losartan down (taking half the pill). Since I've done this, my pressures have been in a very safe range. I have no idea why this is, but it worked. No real side effects except for the short time of headaches after starting Felodipine."

• Sco...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 27, 2016

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been experiencing terrible waking headaches and also not able to think of the words I want to express. I take Cozaar in the evenings and believe it's causing these symptoms. Not happy!"

• Nik...
• July 15, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "This medicine gave me horrible, horrible side effects. The panic attacks, rapid heartbeat, and headaches were unbearable. I literally thought I was going to have to go to the hospital."

• Rae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Head hurt, ears pulsating, felt weird. I have yet to find a BP med that doesn't affect my well-being."

• sam...
• April 14, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Taking Losartan, I have had a lot of joint pains, headaches every day, dizziness, and tiredness. I've been in the ER twice because of my blood pressure going up."

• EDM...
• August 11, 2009

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "Very bad sore throat, cough, and terrible headache. Lisinopril did the same thing. Micardis worked better but very expensive."

• Pop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Headache and weight gain, almost a pound after being on it for one week. Now I am gaining almost a pound a day, needless to say I will be getting off this drug."

• Lul...
• November 26, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Gives me a headache every time I take one."