Losartan and Tiredness: What Users Say

• JTa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 19, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Was put on losartan (green pill) back in 2018. Did not control BP, was switched to white pill, 50 mg. Started off with horrible headaches, stopped it for a few weeks and headaches went away. Started back, one night I woke up with HR of 165, had to call 911. 3 trips to ER for terrible GERD, tachycardia, horrible anxiety which I never had before. Insomnia, and horrible feelings of heaviness in head, chest, and legs. Lower legs feel like pins and needles, and numbness. I felt like it was the end of me. Stopped it 8 days ago, I do feel better, only lingering symptoms are dizziness and heavy legs, and just overall tiredness. When will these symptoms go away??? NP and I are monitoring blood pressure, it has been fine hasn't spiked at all since I've stopped losartan. Horrible drug in which the doctors will not believe you when you say the drug causes these things. When will these side effects go away????????????"

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure is anxiety-driven, and I fight taking BP meds. I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago for a sinus infection, and I could feel my BP go up sky-high 3/4 of a mile away from the office. My regular doctor gave me a prescription for Losartan on 1/27/20. I started with 1/2 a pill from 25mg. I felt tired, and I stopped it. Then after going to the doctor for a sinus infection, I started it back up again, and my anxiety level is over the top in this 2-week period, and I have headaches. I looked it up and found that it has to be this medicine. Going off of it. How does it get to market, and the fact my doctor knew I have anxiety and prescribed this for me is unreal."

• Mem...
• February 24, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan is a horrible drug. I've been on it for 9 months. Feeling of anxiety, depression, BP fluctuates constantly. I get mouth sores, throat problems, irregular heartbeat, and no energy most of the day. Asked my doc to change meds, now I'm feeling normal again."

• Reb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I was switched from Lisinopril to Losartan because of a cough. I have felt so exhausted ever since. I have to push myself to do things. I still cough some, but my main complaint is terrible joint and muscle pain. I don’t want to do anything anymore, and I have always been a very active person. Tylenol just doesn’t cut it for the pain, and I am not allowed to take Advil or a similar drug. I’m desperate for help, and the doctor just laughs when I tell him and said he has never heard this before. Anyone else?"

• JHa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 23, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 60-year-old male, active & healthy other than BP rising over the last few years. Tried to exercise my way out of BP meds but finally had to surrender. Doc put me on Losartan 50mg - the only med I was taking. This drug was toxic to my system. I felt lethargic & achy most of the time & it occasionally caused shallow breathing and anxiety. Further, it wasn't effective at reducing my BP. Went off the drug & feel 10 years younger (I'm not kidding). New Doc & new BP med...Amlodipine, which has been effective (with no side effects for me). Very interesting to read that so many other people have experienced similar side effects from Losartan. Maybe the doctors should be required to try the drugs they prescribe to patients."

• Con...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "The doctor put me on Losartan 100 mg maybe 6 months ago. I have always been hyperactive and maybe a bit attention deficit. The Losartan calmed me down and made my blood pressure run around 120/70. Usually, it ran 140/80 or more for the bottom number. It made me go to the bathroom a lot, and I also developed the irritating cough. My main complaint is my inability to think and learn things quickly. I am taking online college classes and have always been smart in math and all subjects. Now I feel groggy, lazy, fuzzy, and can't retain information. The doctor refuses to take me off, so I have cut the pills in half. Some days I don't take them and feel much better. I know there are bad side effects if you quit the medicines all at once, so I think I am going to change doctors."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Losartan for less than a month, but I had, and still have, side effects immediately after taking it. I feel dizzy, warmer than usual, thirsty, bloated, tired, have rapid heartbeat with 'thumps', headaches, and have blurry vision. Also, I gained 7 pounds and haven't changed my diet in any way, and I'm active. I'm going back to my doctor next week to see if there's something else I can take instead of this."

• Bor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 9, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I had been on losartan 50 mg/day in the AM (manufacturer unknown) for over 7 years. With BP of around 125-135/68-72. A few months back, my pharmacy started dispensing the Camber brand of Losartan, and my BP went up to roughly 145/75, so, my doctor eight days ago increased the dose to 100 mg daily in the AM. My BP has risen since changing the dose and is now averaging in the mid-150s/mid-70s. I realize that it takes 2-4 weeks to reach a stabilization point, but I had expected the BP to start receding rather than increasing. My concerns are: did the change of manufacturer precipitate the increase in BP and also weight gain, lethargy, and mild panic attacks? I’m going to check with my pharmacy to see if other losartan patients using the Camber brand share the same concerns after the change in manufacturer and also check with my primary doctor to see what alternative meds are available. I am an 86-year-old Caucasian male."

• Bli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 7, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I had been taking Losartan for about 2 years. My blood pressure was in the 160/90 area, and Losartan brought it down to 120/80. The drug made me feel tired. I also developed a cough, probably due to Losartan, but I cannot be sure. Recently, I began to exercise and lose weight from 220 lbs. to 210 lbs. and followed a daily exercise routine. My blood pressure seemed to be very low at 100/70 sometimes. My doctor said to stay on the drug, but I started to taper off my 100 mg dose to about 50 mg. My BP did not shoot up but stayed at about 120/80, and I monitored it closely, maintaining a careful diet and exercise. I stopped taking the drug completely, and my blood pressure has stayed low in the 120-130/80-90. I plan to see my doctor for a physical next month, and I am sure she will be aghast that I stopped Losartan on my own. Any advice on how to break the news to her?"

• Eme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 29, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "My NP put me on Losartan when she first diagnosed me with high BP. It was around 150/98, and she measured in different arms manually and with the automatic cuff. I was on Losartan for about 9 days and it made me feel terrible. I had drowsiness, no energy, a headache every day (which prompted me to take a bunch of Imitrex too), and I was irritable. It lowered my BP though."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "On Losartan 25mg. 38-year-old female, maintaining a healthy diet, no health issues except High BP (hereditary in my family). The medication does lower my BP, but it makes me extremely tired with dizzy spells, unusual muscle cramps in legs/feet, and some numbness in extremities. However, the worst side effect from this poison pill is HORRIBLE damage and loss to my formerly long hair!"

• Les...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 10, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I’m on losartan for my kidneys. I noticed a lot of breathing issues and allergies. I’m not able to enjoy my workouts. I’m too tired to exercise. I feel like I can’t breathe. I don’t know if it is helping my kidneys. I just don’t feel good. My heart rate is higher."

• Abb...
• September 17, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "I was forced to take losartan instead of Diovan because my insurance company refuses to pay for brand-name drugs. Really great the insurance co. would rather realize huge profits at the expense of patients' health. Well, losartan is terrible for me. I had no noticeable side effects from Diovan. But with losartan, I've had not only hair loss but also very bad tingling down my left arm into my fingers. My doctor just told me it's carpal tunnel syndrome without any hesitation, but I know it's the losartan that's causing this condition because I never had it until after starting losartan. It also causes me to be tired and lightheaded, both side effects of this medicine."

• bee...
• September 27, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure was improved with Losartan, but I had many side effects. My blood pressure would drop to as low as 98 over 84 with a heart rate of 130. I would be dizzy and so tired I just wanted to sleep. At least once a week I would experience diarrhea. I coughed a lot and it was getting worse. I had foot and leg cramps. I was feeling terrible. Since stopping the use of this drug and improving my diet, I am feeling much better, and my symptoms have disappeared. My blood pressure is under control without it. This drug is poison and was killing me."

• Som...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 6, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Losartan about 8 years ago. I didn't have any issues other than blood clots in my legs that began to reoccur after I began the medicine. I continually brought it up to my doctor over the years, but he has dismissed it each time. Although I have a stress-free life, I have constant heaviness in my chest making it difficult to breathe, chronic insomnia, and massive bruises that form on my leg (without any incident of bumping them against anything). I am tired throughout the day since I am not sleeping and feel terrible. I have spikes in my blood pressure and am concerned because my doctor dismisses these issues."

• SGH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Losartan is poison and I hope anyone taking it at least monitors their improvement-if any-versus the side effects, because they sneak up on you. I believe this medication will do much more harm than good, so please be careful. I took it because Lisinopril gave me a cough. I gave it 3 full months, and during that time, I became very ill. Extreme fatigue, headaches, sore back, weakness in my legs-that was very scary. I felt like I had the flu daily, and I thought it might be another medication I was on, but I tested myself by stopping the other meds and nope, the symptoms still remained. I was so exhausted all the time, I could hardly get through my day and had to take daily naps. I slept very deeply with vivid dreams. Never ever again!"

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I’m a 58-year-old female. The only med I take is 25mg of losartan for over a year now. BP was about 140/95 too often. My side effects are getting worse. Insomnia, headaches, diarrhea, dizzy, tired, feet hurt, have to lay down once a day and no longer have the energy to exercise. I enjoy a couple of glasses of wine a few times a week and try to stay low carb and watch my salt intake. I’m thinking I would be better off not taking this since my quality of life has gone down."

• Gee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure 6 months ago was around 140/90. My doc said that was too high and put me on Losartan 50 mg. Since that time, I have gained 15 pounds and feel bloated all the time, lethargic, and depressed. I have tried a sensible diet and fasting, which I had success with in the past, but now the scale hasn't budged. It's not worth this. The drug company does not list weight gain as a side effect, but this is the only medication I am on. Not sure what else to do. I'm miserable. I'm going to stop taking this and ask my doc for something different, whether or not she believes my weight gain is due to this."

• neb...
• May 1, 2009

Losartan for High Blood Pressure "I have had high blood pressure for years and have just started a medicine routine. I tried Zestril and had great results but did not like the cough. So, my doctor switched me to Cozaar. This makes me cough, makes me tired, dizzy, and constipated."

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

For High Blood Pressure "I was on losartan 25 mg for 2 years and had no side effects. Since December, my blood pressure was high, and I was getting migraines, so my doctor upped it to 50 mg. Since it wasn't working, she upped it to 100 mg, but my blood pressure was still high. In May, I went back to the doctor because I was also retaining water, so she switched me to losartan 100 mg/HCTZ 12.5. Since then, I feel my pressure has gone down now. I used to average at 140/90, but after switching, I'm averaging 117/80. In June, I started to feel super tired. I've been taking online classes and couldn't bring myself to do my work. I just go to work, and when I get home, I just want to sleep, and that is all I want to do. I have also felt a little more depressed to where I don't want to do anything or go anywhere. I go to work only because I have to, but after that, I just feel extremely lazy."

• Eri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was only on Losartan 50 mg, along with HCTZ 12.5 mg, for five doses, and it caused some bad physical and mental side effects. They included panic attacks, headaches, pressure behind the eyes, lightheadedness, confusion, foggy feelings, being tired, and also unable to sleep, lack of appetite, and probably more that I am forgetting. I also fainted twice, within 15 minutes of each other, on the evening of my third dose, which included spending three hours in the ER to recover from massive dehydration. I had a follow-up appointment with my PCP earlier today, prior to my sixth dose, and he told me to stop taking it. I have been off it for only 28 hours, and the side effects are gone! I still have a mild headache, but it is considerably better than the past couple of days. I know medication reacts differently for every person, but for me, it was not worth taking this medication/dosage, which did lower my blood pressure a small amount compared to all of the side effects I experienced."

• 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."

• Bus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "It has helped to lower blood pressure, but over the year + I've been taking it, I've experienced a 40-pound weight gain, severe pain in joints, muscles in legs and feet, ache in leg bones, tingling in hands and feet, very stuffy sinuses - very swollen, difficulty getting to sleep and/or staying asleep, general weakness and sluggishness, sometimes extreme exhaustion. Seeing Dr this week, hoping we can find a better solution."