Losartan causing major nausea

[Sailing63]

Hi everyone. I have recently been swapped from Amlodipine to Losartan (50mg) as A has caused palpitations and fast heart rate when prescribed at doses of 7.5mg and above. I was very happy to be off Amlodipine after 30 months of poor response and a GP who only wanted to prescribe/amend Amlodipine doses and Ramipril (caused cough). I insisted on a cardiac referral and cardiologist was quick to spot the pattern between higher doses of Amlodipine and palpitations which he confirmed was a common side effect. He also said that many cardiologists were not fans of amlodipine for same reasons and it was "lazy" prescribing by GP's simply following NICE treatment plans. So that's the good news. After 1 week on Losartan (and being off Amlodipine) I started to feel great again however this was short lived. After 3 weeks on Losartan I have big bouts of nausea and dyspepsia ( bloating / burping). My GP (not cardiologist) has advised that I need to get 4-6 weeks under my belt of Losartan before a true picture can be seen of its effect on reducing blood pressure and side effects which haven't cleared. I am trying to press on for another 3 weeks but have to say the nausea is ruining my daily life as I feel so poor.

Has anyone else had similar response to Losartan and if so how long did it take to clear?

I am one step away from going to GP and telling him I want off all meds as I feel so shocking and will take my chances with high BP. The Losartan has only just reduced my BP to 152/88 average and my concern is that GP will increase dosage and so the nausea will also increase.

I am 61 yo, ex gym bunny, ex rugby player (not beer swilling!!) very healthy diet and lots of walking each day with my dog as I am retired and love to be out and about, at least 8-10k steps per day for 2 1/2 hrs, 85kgs. I had a resting HR of 52-56 average 12 months ago but since embarking on a "precautionary" BP regime my HR average is now 70-75 BPM. So in my book meds have made me feel worse, not addressed any hypertension issue and increased both my HR and my misery. My wife is at her wits end as I am a pain in the derrier to be with lately as I complain of feeling so unwell. I have had all other tests and everything is fine (ECG/EEG/Holter etc) but cannot get a BP medication program which works without making me feel poor generally.

If the nausea is caused by Losartan clears then great, so I am hoping that others have experienced same side effects and can help me press on through for another couple of weeks as things will improve, otherwise its another trip to GP (who I am sure thinks I am a hypochondriac). If I am becoming one then its only a result of his prescriptions.

Words of support would be very welcome!!

Cheers everyone.

[Happyrosie]

you might find something useful on the website of Blood Pressure UK. They have a helpline.

[Sailing63 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hi Happyrosie, thanks for the tip, will definately view the site and give their helpline a call. I have committed to my GP and Cardiologist that I will maintain best diet (red wine will be one of my 5 per day fruits 😂) and healthy weight and a good exercise program as long as they commit to getting a medication program which works and supports my needs. Between all of us I am sure we will get there, but the journey is proving a bit tough on the meds side. Thanks again.

[Mentdent]

High blood pressure is a silent killer. Causes lots of nasty things to happen. From strokes to heart failure and aneurysms. You need to get it under control. I take amlodopine and ramipril. It has taken some while but my high blood pressure is now under control. I too was an athlete and gym bunny with a “healthy diet” etc. but I’m getting old and these things happen. The side effects have all subsided and now my main problem is arthritis but as I said I’m getting old.

[Sailing63 in reply to Mentdent]

Thanks Mentdent, I remember my mother saying getting old was no fun, I just didnt think it would happen to me also, I regarded my self (and still do!!) as the Peter Pan of my world!! I am committed to a good diet, healthy weight and exercise program, I just need the GP/Cardiologist to deliver on their bit, the meds that dont make me feel crap! My plan is to do as Happyrosie suggests take a view from bloodpressureuk web site and maybe get some reassurance that the nausea will pass. Can then move on with the great things in life and getting my health confidence back. Right, off to fight that nasty Cap'n Hook!!

[Mentdent in reply to Sailing63]

I never had any nausea from my blood pressure drugs but I do agree that nausea is one of the most unpleasant symptoms of any ailment or medication. Hang on in there, get a decent blood pressure monitor and learn to take your blood pressure properly at home. Surgery blood pressure readings are usually way out and I found the 24 hour monitor didn’t work on me at all. Turns out the nurse had given me the wrong size cuff. Too small for this ex gym bunny. It’s taken me a couple of years to get my BP stable and I ended up with the first drugs I started with.

[K9dog]

can you not discuss your nausea with your pharmacist? It could be the other ingredients in the particular brand of your Losartan Potassium dispensed that is causing the problem.

[Tlyna]

If the nausea is the only side effect and clears then good, you should be okay with it. I wasn't as fortunate and had several of the more severe side effects and even worse with Ramipril so had to drop each of them.