Does Losartan cause muscle and joint pain?

[spetho2001]

I was given Losartan 50 MG by my cardiologist and it did not seem to do anything so she increased it to 100 MG. She said she would rather max out the Losartan before adding another medication. The 100 MG did not seem to do much either as my BP was a little higher than I would like. I went back to her and she added Hydrochlorothiazide 12 MG at my request. I had been on this drug earlier in life and it seem to work for me. My BP dropped significantly to 120/60 or less. I asked to be taken off the Losartan or at least lessen the drug and neither of my doctors would go along with this. I decreased it myself and my BP is fine. I am getting severe shoulder, arm and wrist pain and I wondering if anyone else has had this trouble with the Losartan or HCTZ???

Thank you, TomS

[asgogate566]

Losartan did not work for me too. I had huge side effects also. Eventually I changed the doctor who asked me to stop Losartan and added 8 mg of Coversyl. This worked for me.

[seasider18]

It is one the few drugs that did not give me side effects. An orthopaedic consultant once told me that any drug can caused muscle or joint pain in some patients.

[Margah]

Following AVR and triple bypass in July last year I was given Ramipril. I got cramp in my thigh so it was changed to Losartan. I think I'm right in saying that the first is an ACE inhibitor and the second an ARB. So they are similar. I still get the muscle cramps and they interfere with every day activities. I've been told that these drugs are good for the health of my new arteries. Before my op I'd been taking Amlodopine for years. I would have liked to stay on it. Does anyone know whether Amlodopine is not so good for the arteries?

Marga

[jsamess in reply to Margah]

Did you know why your medicine was changed . Was you blood pressure too high or something else ?

[Margah in reply to jsamess]

The cardiologist said that losartan was more effective for healthy arteries but tests showed it was affecting my kidney function. My GP didn't like this and put me back on Amlodopine. This made the heart support nurse hopping mad. I agreed to try a lower dose 25mg of losartan. Both Amlodopine and losartan controlled my BP.

For about 6 months I suffered muscle cramps in my left thigh until in July 2019 the pain went away and I haven't had it since.

I can't explain it. I kept a diary recording my progress. I think it's common practice for cardiologists to change medication following surgery.

Then it is left to those giving after care to sort out any problems. Ramipril and Losartan seem to be the drugs of first choice following heart surgery.

I hope this reply is relevant to your question. It is a long time since I have posted on this site. I now take Bisoprolol, Losartan and Ezetimibe and I'm doing well.

[jsamess in reply to Margah]

Thanks for your reply . I am trying to find out the truth behind all the claims made by the GP,s. I am on lorsartan and doxazoison . I try not to let blood pressure control my life otherwise I would be feeling awful . I get leg cramps just in the morning . Thanks again, james

[kelli1971]

I have been taking it for years I had a different brand and since then the pain has been hurrendous wrists hands knees shoulder ! Asked doctor if I should stop them and was advised no ! I have never had pain like this in my life and it’s only here I have seen others with these symptoms. The pain has been so bad some days struggling to walk ? Are you the same

[jsamess in reply to kelli1971]

If it was me I would go back to doctor and tell them again your symptoms there must be something else to try . Do not take no for an answer . The quality of life has got to be better than this . If doctor does not agree ask to see a different doctor . Good luck

[kelli1971 in reply to jsamess]

Hi yes having more bloods done Incase it’s something else so let’s see I think I should change anyway will keep this updated

[kelli1971 in reply to kelli1971]

Thank you

[LosartanHurts]

I am a physician who was on Losartan for over 20 years. About five years ago, my blood pressure worsened, and my Losartan dose was doubled. I am also on Amlopidine and HCTZ. I developed progressive problems with bilateral knee pain, it was so bad I couldnt even stand for longer than 10 minutes. I also had diffuse aches and pains I attributed to aging. When I developed a cough, I finally stopped the Losartan and switched to low dose Lisinopril. My knee pains are dramatically better, my cough is gone, and my other aches and pains went away. From personal experience, I would say that Losartan definitely can cause joint pains, particularly in long term users.

[seasider18 in reply to LosartanHurts]

It is not a listed side effect anywhere and the FDA state it is not a side effect. If it were true it could be the answer to my knee problems. I have been taking it for over 15 years.With low dose Lisinopril my lips and throat swelled up and with Enalapril it caused a rash