What Are Common Side Effects Taking On 50mg Of Losartan For BP?

Posted on Tue, 23 Jul 2024

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 Answered on

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi I have been put on 50mg of losartan for blood pressure issues. What are common side effects? I have been feeling very lethargic since starting medication about one week ago.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Side effects of Losartan

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome here,

Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker and it can sometimes cause hypotension. Your blood pressure may have become lower than normal. I think you should check your blood pressure again.
Other occasional side effects of Losartan are: hyperkalemia, dry cough, angioedema, headache, dizziness, weakness/lethargy, some upper gastro-intestinal side effects.
If it is not due to low BP, then discontinuing the medicine may resolve it in few days.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (2 hours later)

My blood pressure is 128/78 best it has ever been while on medication. Will side effect of lethargy gradually decrease while my body gets use to the medication? I would hate to have to switch meds since it seems to be working

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Try lowering the dose

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Yes body has a good capability to recover from any side effects. Lethargy may improve while continuing losartan, however I couldn't find any data to confirm this.
You may try halving its dose. Maybe the side effect will lower or go away, while the effect remains same.
Continue to monitor blood pressure in sitting, standing and lying down positions. It is OK if BP is 10-15 digits higher or lower than 120/80

Regards,
Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (7 hours later)

Thanks for the information. I was placed on the losartan because my reading were around 168/103 sometimes higher. I was also found to have left ventricle dysfunction from the uncontrolled blood pressure. Should I still try and lower dose dr prescribed? I have an appointment for follow up in late September and my Dr is unavailable through August.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes we can give it a try

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

If you can do your regular duties despite the lethargy, then you may continue the same dose and discuss with your doctor whenever possible.
If the lethargy is affecting your life, we can try lowering the dose of Losartan to half while regularly monitoring the blood pressure so that it does not shoot high. I am hoping that even the half dose will continue to control the blood pressure, while reducing the side effect.
Hope it is clear.
Regards,
Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj