Key takeaways:
Losartan (Cozaar, Arbli) is a common medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It’s also prescribed to lower the risk of stroke and help protect the kidneys in certain people.
The usual losartan dosage for adults starts at 50 mg once daily. If you’re living with liver problems or taking a diuretic (water pill), your starting dose may be lower. The losartan dosage for children is based on body weight.
Losartan is available as a lower-cost generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 70% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
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Losartan (Cozaar, Arbli) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It treats high blood pressure (hypertension) and other medical conditions. Losartan and other ARBs also have many other positive effects, including protecting the heart and kidneys.
Taking losartan properly can help you get the most from your medication. Below, we’ll cover the FDA-approved losartan dosages. Keep in mind that you should follow your prescriber’s instructions for taking losartan, even if it’s different from what’s discussed below.
Losartan dosages for adults
Losartan comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg oral tablets. The maximum recommended losartan dosage is 100 mg per day for its approved uses in adults. Losartan is sometimes prescribed off-label for heart failure. In this case, the maximum recommended dosage is typically 150 mg.
Your losartan dosage will depend on what you’re taking it for. Below, we’ll review the typical losartan dosages for each approved use of the medication.
Losartan dosage for hypertension
The losartan dosage for high blood pressure in adults usually starts at 50 mg once daily. Your prescriber may increase or decrease your dosage from there based on how you respond.
In some cases, your prescriber may start you with a lower losartan dosage of 25 mg daily. This typically applies if you’re taking a diuretic (water pill) or are often dehydrated. This helps reduce the risk of your blood pressure dropping too low (hypotension).
Losartan dosage for hypertension along with left ventricular hypertrophy
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a condition where the lower left chamber of your heart thickens. The usual starting dosage of losartan for people living with high blood pressure and LVH is 50 mg once daily. From there, your prescriber may add hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), a diuretic, or increase your losartan dosage to 100 mg daily based on how you respond.
Losartan dosage for diabetic nephropathy with a history of hypertension
Losartan and other ARBs can help slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage related to diabetes) related to Type 2 diabetes. The typical losartan dosage for people living with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension starts at 50 mg once daily. Your prescriber may increase it from there up to 100 mg once daily based on how you respond.
Keep in mind that losartan is only approved for people with diabetic nephropathy who also have a history of high blood pressure. But it’s also prescribed off-label for diabetic nephropathy even if your blood pressure isn’t high. In this case, follow your prescriber’s instructions, as there isn’t an FDA-approved dosage for this use.
Losartan dosages for children
Losartan is also approved for high blood pressure in children ages 6 and older. The losartan dosage for children is based on the child’s body weight.
The typical losartan dosage for high blood pressure in children is 0.7 mg per kg of body weight once daily (up to 50 mg). Depending on your child’s response, their prescriber may increase the dose up to 1.4 mg per kg of body weight (up to 100 mg) daily. Doses over 100 mg daily (or 1.4 mg/kg — whichever is lower) aren’t recommended.
Keep in mind that generic losartan is currently only available as an oral tablet. If your child has trouble swallowing pills, let your prescriber know. A new liquid form of losartan was recently approved under the brand name Arbli. It may be an easier option for your child to take.
Dosage adjustments for medical conditions
People living with liver problems may need to start with a lower losartan dosage of 25 mg daily. This is because your liver breaks down losartan. Liver problems can interfere with that process, which can lead to higher losartan levels in the body and raise your risk of side effects. A lower dosage helps prevent losartan levels from going too high.
What happens if you miss a dose of losartan?
If you forget a dose of losartan, take it as soon as you remember. But if your next dose is coming up soon, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule. Don’t double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
If you miss more than one dose of losartan in a row, reach out to your prescriber for guidance. They can help you get back on track with your medication. It may help to use a medication reminder app or a daily pill box to help prevent missed doses in the future.
What should you do if you take too much losartan?
If you take too much losartan, your chance of experiencing side effects is higher. This may include dizziness, low blood pressure, and high potassium levels.
Even if your symptoms feel mild, it’s a good idea to reach out to your prescriber or contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. But if you experience serious side effects such as fainting, a racing heartbeat, or chest pain, seek emergency care.
How to save on losartan
Losartan is available as a brand-name medication as well as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 70% off the average retail price of generic losartan. The price of a 30-day supply of generic losartan 50 mg is as low as $7.30 at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx discount.
Frequently asked questions
You shouldn’t take losartan twice a day unless your prescriber tells you to. It’s typically a medication you’ll only take once a day. Some prescribers may recommend dividing losartan into twice daily doses if a once-daily dosage isn’t working well to control your blood pressure. But research suggests that taking losartan twice a day isn’t any more effective than the recommended once-daily dosage.
Common losartan side effects include dizziness, tiredness, or common cold symptoms. Nausea, joint pain, and diarrhea are also possible. In most cases you can manage losartan side effects on your own at home. Rare, but serious losartan side effects include high potassium levels, kidney problems, and severely low blood pressure.
You can take losartan at any time of day, with or without food. For many people, the best time to take losartan is in the morning. But if you have trouble remembering or feel dizzy after taking your losartan in the morning, you can take it later in the day instead. The key is to take losartan around the same time every day. This helps keep the medication working consistently.
You shouldn’t take losartan twice a day unless your prescriber tells you to. It’s typically a medication you’ll only take once a day. Some prescribers may recommend dividing losartan into twice daily doses if a once-daily dosage isn’t working well to control your blood pressure. But research suggests that taking losartan twice a day isn’t any more effective than the recommended once-daily dosage.
Common losartan side effects include dizziness, tiredness, or common cold symptoms. Nausea, joint pain, and diarrhea are also possible. In most cases you can manage losartan side effects on your own at home. Rare, but serious losartan side effects include high potassium levels, kidney problems, and severely low blood pressure.
You can take losartan at any time of day, with or without food. For many people, the best time to take losartan is in the morning. But if you have trouble remembering or feel dizzy after taking your losartan in the morning, you can take it later in the day instead. The key is to take losartan around the same time every day. This helps keep the medication working consistently.
The bottom line
Losartan (Cozaar, Arbli) is a medication that treats high blood pressure and other related conditions. The usual losartan dosage for adults starts at 50 mg once a day. The losartan dosage for children ages 6 and older is based on their body weight. The maximum recommended losartan dosage is 100 mg daily in most cases.
If you miss a dose of losartan, take it as soon as you remember. If you take more losartan than prescribed, contact Poison Control or reach out to your prescriber for guidance. Seek emergency care if life-threatening symptoms occur.
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References
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