What Pharmacists Say About When to Take Your Losartan (Plus 5 Other Tips)

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common health condition in adults, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults. Many people take medications to help lower their blood pressure. And, it’s important to understand how and when to take your medication to get the best effects.

There are several different types of blood pressure medications. Losartan (Cozaar) is a common example. It belongs to a group of medications called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Losartan works by blocking the actions of angiotensin II, a protein that can raise blood pressure.

Taking your losartan dose correctly will help it work its best while limiting side effects. Below are six pharmacist-approved tips for taking losartan, including information on whether you can take it twice a day.

1. The best time to take losartan is when you’ll remember to take your dose

The best time to take losartan is about the same time every day — however that fits into your schedule. That could be in the morning, at lunch, or even at bedtime. Consistency is key.

Some healthcare professionals may recommend taking losartan in the morning. This could be to help establish a routine that makes it easy to remember to take your medication every day.

However, some research suggests taking blood pressure medications at night may be a better option. One study found that people had better blood pressure control when they took their medication at night. People taking their medication at night also experienced fewer cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.

But other studies have found that the timing of blood pressure medications doesn’t make much difference. Researchers noted the people who had the best results were those who took their medications consistently.

It’s best to discuss with your prescriber if taking losartan in the morning versus at night is right for you. But whatever time you and your prescriber decide is best, stick to it once you start.

2. Losartan can be taken once or twice a day

Most people take losartan once a day. It’s the standard dosage you’ll see listed on the manufacturer’s labeling. But in some cases, a prescriber might suggest taking half of your dose in the morning and half in the evening.

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We’ve known for a while that losartan works the same whether people take it once or twice a day. So for most people, there’s no advantage to splitting the dose. But if you’re having trouble with losartan side effects, such as dizziness, it may be helpful to split one large dose into two smaller ones.

Taking losartan twice a day can also provide better blood pressure management all day for some people. Losartan should keep working for about 24 hours after taking it. But some people may find that their blood pressure starts to go back up as they get close to this 24-hour mark. In this case, splitting your losartan dose and taking it twice a day may work better for you.

3. You can take losartan with or without food

Another question people often have is whether or not you should take losartan with food. You don’t need to take losartan with food, but you can if you’d prefer. Taking your dose with something to eat can also help if your dose upsets your stomach.

Some people take losartan around a meal to help them remember to take it. Again, the key here is to be consistent with the timing. So if you choose to take losartan with food, make sure it’s at the same mealtime every day.

4. You can usually take losartan at the same time as other blood pressure medications

Some people may need to take more than one blood pressure medication. But one concern you might have is whether it’s safe to take them at the same time. Much of this depends on your unique situation and blood pressure levels.

You can combine ARBs, such as losartan, with many other types of blood pressure medications. One example combination is losartan and amlodipine (Norvasc). Your prescriber may tell you to take them at the same time. But, they may also have you take losartan and amlodipine at different times of day. This can depend on your health conditions and blood pressure goals.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Losartan side effects: Here’s what side effects to watch for when taking losartan (Cozaar) and when to seek medical care.

• Things to avoid: Some medications can raise your risk of certain losartan side effects. Read about notable losartan interactions and how to avoid them.

• What are the different types of blood pressure medications? Read about both common and less common options for treating high blood pressure.

Blood pressure medications are often combined into a single pill for convenience. For example, losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) are combined into a single pill sold under the brand name Hyzaar. Combination medications can help make it easier to remember your doses and may lower prescription costs.

One combination you won’t see is taking losartan with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, such as lisinopril (Zestril). ARBs and ACE inhibitors work very similarly. You also wouldn’t take losartan with another ARB, such as valsartan (Diovan). Combining these medication classes raises your risk of side effects.

As always, it’s important to review your unique medication list with your healthcare team before starting any new medication. This will help them make sure your medications are OK to take at the same time.

5. There are ways to manage side effects from losartan

One of the most common losartan side effects is dizziness. This is typical when first starting the medication or right after changing your dose. It should lessen or go away as your body adjusts to the medication or new dose. Take care to change positions (like standing up) slowly during this time.

Other possible side effects of losartan include:

• Nasal congestion

• Back pain

• Headache

• Tiredness

• Cough

Most of these losartan side effects are mild and can be managed at home with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. But check with a pharmacist before taking any OTC medication. Some can interact with losartan or raise your blood pressure.

Be sure to keep all your appointments for blood tests. This can help prevent rare but serious losartan side effects, such as kidney problems and high potassium levels. These side effects don’t always cause symptoms. Going for blood tests on time can help your prescriber watch for early signs of them.

6. There are ways to get back on track if you miss a dose of losartan

Remembering to take medication can be challenging. Creating a routine and using visual reminders, though, can be helpful. Medication reminder apps and setting alarms can also keep you on track.

If you miss a dose of losartan and remember within a few hours, go ahead and take the missed dose. For example, if you usually take losartan at 8 AM and you remember at 10 AM, it’s OK to take the missed dose. You can return to your regular schedule for the next dose.

If you miss a dose and it’s close to when you’d take it again, skip it and wait until your next scheduled dose. For example, if you usually take losartan once a day at 8 AM and you remember after 8 PM, it’s too late to take the missed dose. You can return to your regular schedule for the next dose. Never take more than one dose at a time to try to “make up” for missed pills.

If you miss multiple doses, or if you’re unsure whether to take your dose late or skip it, contact a healthcare professional for next steps. You may need to have your blood pressure checked and/or the dose changed before starting back on losartan.

What are the side effects of missing a dose of losartan?

You’re unlikely to experience side effects from occasionally taking losartan late or missing a dose. But if you miss too many losartan doses in a row, you’re at risk for having high blood pressure again. Though you may not feel any symptoms, you may be at risk for serious problems, such as heart attack or stroke.

It’s also important to keep in mind that the benefits of losartan are seen after several weeks of taking it consistently. And many losartan side effects fade as your body adjusts to the medication. Missing too many doses when first starting losartan can delay this adjustment period.

How to save on losartan

There are many ways to save on losartan, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication.

• Save with GoodRx. GoodRx can help you save off the average retail price of the generic version. Generic losartan’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $7.30 with a free GoodRx discount.

• Save with a patient assistance program. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for the PAN Foundation’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of cost.

• Save with a 90-day supply. Some insurance plans offer a discount when you fill 90 days of medication at a time.

• Save with a mail-order pharmacy. Some insurance plans provide discounted rates when you get your prescriptions by mail.

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Written by:

Clay M. Cooper, PharmD

Clay Cooper, PharmD, has over 10 years of pharmacy practice experience in a variety of healthcare settings, including in independent community pharmacy, retail pharmacy, and long-term care pharmacy. He is a licensed pharmacist in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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