Losartan not effective

[Anynomous]

After my procedure with stent my doctor asked my GP to keep my BP at 135/80 on discharge note. I was on rampril 2.5 mg for sometime which was fairly successful for few weeks but then I had dry cough at nights and BP was also shooting up 150 /100 . When I spoke to gp (doctor) they changed it losartan 25 mg after which I dont have dry coughs but my bp remains same or more 168/107 . so I called up my GP (doctor) who asked my to visit after 6 weeks . its almost 4 weeks and my BP is still same , on advice from pharmacist from my GP I having 50 mg of losartan but still BP is same .

Has anyone had issue with BP not settling to normal , in-spite of all this medicine . GP(doctor) seems to be not much worried but pharmacist from my GP was worried with the high numbers.

[MountainGoat52]

HI,

It looks like you may not be able to metabolise Losartan (well that's the word my GP used). I'm on 25mg and it suits me fine and has done for over a decade. Several years ago my BP was rising and my GP increased my Losartan to 100mg and he also added Doxazosin. Unfortunately this made things worse and Doxazosin is now on my black list. My situation is much improved now, so I only need to be on 25mg.

So it may be as simple as Losartan doesn't work for you. There are plenty of alternatives available; even another ARB might suit you.

I hope you get the matter resolved soon.

Wish my best wishes,

Gerald

[Anynomous in reply to MountainGoat52]

thank gerald . Managed to get a GP appointment .. hope he changes it something effective

[MustyK]

Like you I used to be on Ramipril which gave me dry coughs. Mt GP switched me onto Losartan 50mg (about 4 years ago). My BP remained at the same levels as with Ramipril.

Have a word with the GP. Try also the British Heart Foundation cardiac nurse.

Hope that helps

Take care

[Anynomous]

Thanks mustyk , Do you mean rehab nurse by British Heart Foundation cardiac nurse.. I have not been contacted by them so far..

[Andy_roo]

Hi,

Had exactly the same issue. Ramipril worked great at 2.5mg but had the persistent dry cough, there's only so many pack of boiled sweets you can eat before admitting that something is wrong.

Was witched to 25mg of Losartan that di d nothing after 4 weeks. Does was increased to 50mg for anothe 4 weeks. At this point I was tired all the time, BP was still high so no effect there.

Then switch to 10 mg Amlodipine, fatigue started to lift after about 2 weeks and the BP started to come down. Now 2 months in and energy levels back to normal and BP is down. Not as low as on Ramipril but still lower.

Hope this helps and good luck.