Key takeaways
Losartan (Cozaar) and nifedipine ER (Procardia XL) are both used to treat high blood pressure, but they belong to different drug classes and work in different ways. Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that helps relax blood vessels and reduce water retention, while nifedipine ER is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) that mainly works by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow. Losartan is also used to lower the risk of stroke and slow down kidney problems in people with diabetes, whereas nifedipine ER is used to treat chest pain (angina) in addition to high blood pressure. Both medications are typically taken once daily and are available as a lower-cost generics. Nifedipine ER is especially effective for Black people in lowering blood pressure, but it is not recommended for people with heart failure. Both medications can cause dizziness, but losartan may also lead to upper respiratory infections, while nifedipine ER can cause leg swelling and headaches.
