Key takeaways
Losartan (Cozaar) and bisoprolol (Zebeta) are both used to treat high blood pressure, but they belong to different medication classes and work in different ways. Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that helps relax blood vessels and reduce water retention, while bisoprolol is a beta blocker that slows down the heart rate to lower blood pressure. Losartan is often a first-choice medication and is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas bisoprolol is usually prescribed when other blood pressure medications aren't effective enough. Losartan is taken once daily and can also help protect against stroke and slow kidney damage in people with diabetes, while bisoprolol is also taken once daily but can interact with alcohol and may worsen heart failure symptoms if not managed properly. Common side effects of losartan include dizziness and upper respiratory infections, while bisoprolol can cause headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Both medications require careful monitoring and should not be stopped abruptly without consulting your prescriber.
