NHS losartan warning as common drug may be ‘unsuitable’ for some people

The NHS has warned that a “widely used” drugs may not be suitable for certain people. Losartan, which is often prescribed to manage high blood pressure, could prove risky for some.

Losartan is a type of medicine known as an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). As well as being used for high blood pressure (hypertension), it is also given to manage heart failure, kidney disease and diabetic kidney disease.

It works by relaxing and widening your blood vessels. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

According to the NHS, “most” adults aged 18 years and over can take losartan.

But, the health body said: “Losartan is not suitable for some people.”

You should therefore tell your doctor if you:

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to losartan or any other medicine
• Have diabetes
• Have heart, liver or kidney problems
• Recently had a kidney transplant
• Have had diarrhoea or vomiting while taking losartan
• Have been on a low salt diet
• Have low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding

Side effects

Like most medications, losartan comes with a risk of side effects. Some of these are classed as “common” as they occur in more than one in 100 people.

These include:

• Feeling dizzy
• Headaches
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Diarrhoea
• Pain in your joints or muscles

The NHS continued: “It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects after taking losartan.” Call a doctor or call 111 straight away if:

• The whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this can be a sign of liver problems
• You get severe stomach pain – this can be a sign of an inflamed pancreas
• Your skin becomes more pale than usual, you feel tired, faint or dizzy, get purple spots (that come from superficial bleeding into the skin), show any sign of bleeding, or have a sore throat and high temperature – these can be signs of a blood or bone marrow disorder
• You feel weak, have an irregular heartbeat, pins and needles and muscle cramps – these can be signs of changes in the potassium levels in your blood

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to losartan. You should “call 999 now” if:

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up
• A child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling. The NHS said: “These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.”

The NHS added: “Always take losartan exactly as your doctor has told you, and follow the directions on the label. If you’re not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.”

For more information, visit the NHS website here.