Losartan potassium 50mg.

[Rachmaninov2]

This is my first time of posting on this forum, I would appreciate any replies.

I have been taking 5mg Amlodipine for some time but am experiencing fluid retention and pain especially in legs and feet so my GP has now prescribed Losartan 50mg instead. I also have stage 3 kidney disease.

50mg seems a high dose in comparison to the Amlodipine. If anyone can give me any information on their experience I would be grateful. Thank you.

[Happyrosie]

I looked this up, Rachmaninov, and it says usual dose is 50 to 100 mg, so it’s a low-ish dose. In view of your medical history, however, I don’t think this is one for us forumites. If you are unsure then your pharmacist is your best bet, or the specialist charity Blood Pressure UK.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you for your suggestion Happyrosie, I will contact my pharmacist.

[bluedolphin2]

I take Losartan 50mgI had the same problems with amlodipine, puffy feet and very swollen ankles.

I have no problem with Losartan, good for blood pressure but not good for my Raynaud's.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to bluedolphin2]

It’s difficult getting the medication right when you have more than one condition, but I’m glad you have had no problems with Losartan. Thank you for your reply bluedolphin.

[bluedolphin2 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

I know what you mean.I have lots of other medical conditions too.

On methotrexate at moment, was on another medication, just trying to get the right one, it's really difficult when they keep rescheduling the appointment. But the specialist nurses have been brilliant with the medication and sending blood forms 💐

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to bluedolphin2]

I’m taking Methotrexate too, just about to change to sub cut.

Yes, it’s not a smooth process trying to find a medication regime which will work for us and keep us stable. I’m glad you have been lucky with your specialist nurses and hope that you are given an appointment very soon.

[bluedolphin2 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Do you get mouth uclers taking Methotrexate? My sjogren doesn't help too. 🌺

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to bluedolphin2]

I take all my medication with some yoghurt to try to protect my mouth and stomach. 🙂

[Dovedale4]

Hi R,

How lovely to see you posting again and I hope you are well!

I take both amlodipine 5mg and losartan 25mg and have done so for almost three years now. Don't be concerned that losartan seems a higher dosage as it works in a very different way to amlodipine and is available in 3 strengths; 25mg; 50mg and 100mg.

I don't suffer with swollen ankles with amlodipine at 5mg, but did when I was prescribed it at 10mg.

I hope you find losartan helpful 🌷

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Dovedale4]

Hello Dovedale, that’s very kind of you. I hope you are doing well too. Thank you for responding.

I’ve come back to HU to find some info. and support for some more conditions I have been diagnosed with, so not feeling great at the moment.

I’m always apprehensive when starting any new medication but I think I need to discontinue the Amlodipine. Thank you for your good wishes Dovedale.

One of last years roses

[Dovedale4 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

I'm sorry to hear that you are not feeling great at the moment.

I am sure you will be fine with losartan. I haven't experienced any issues with it at all.

Thank you for sharing the photo of your rose. It really is a beauty and such a vibrant, pretty colour. It won't be long until it's flowering again. The days are already lengthening and snowdrops appearing.

I hope you feel better very soon.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Dovedale4]

Thank you for your good wishes and reassurance Dovedale.

Yes, and the bulbs are just beginning to produce green shoots. I covered my pots in garden fleece when I planted them as the squirrel is partial to certain bulbs.

Some of last year’s tulips.

[Dovedale4 in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Beautiful tulips - one of my favourite flowers! These are much more open than the more common ones that we normally see in gardens and a good idea to cover the bulbs with garden fleece - the squirrels would have had quite a feast!

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Dovedale4]

Yes, they were beautiful and lasted a long time too.

[katieoxo60]

50mg is a normal start dose for Losartan , the patient leaflet is very good for this drug and I am sure your chemist will advise if needs be. Best Wishes

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to katieoxo60]

I will read the patient leaflet, and I am going to just check with my pharmacist (luckily he has always been very helpful even offering to liaise with my GP on one occasion) .

Thank you for your response and good wishes katie.

[Collywobbles64]

Hi, I currently take 25 mcg losartan potassium, but have taken the 50 and 100 mcg so in the past. I believe the lowest they do in this drug is 12.5 mcg. I don’t think your previous amount in the other drug equates to what the doctor has prescribed. My sister initially took the same drug as me in the higher amounts but what she now takes in another bp drug is lower. As I said before I don’t think it equates.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Collywobbles64]

Hello Collywobbles, thank you for the information. I understand your point, and I am feeling more confident about taking Losartan now.

[Rosepetal60]

Hello Rachmaninov2, I know very little about blood pressure and even less with the drugs. Although I have read many people can’t cope with the side effects of Amlodipine. But I do know from personal experience, that potassium brings down high blood pressure. So on a lighter note, if you like bananas, one a week seems likely to be ok as well as your new prescription. Do you have a home blood pressure machine? I bought another one about a week ago, because on advice of GP I’m checking my BP this week twice a day and old one of many years, had become very noisy and I think it was failing. I do find them useful. I was surprised they were still a reasonable price. 🪴

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to Rosepetal60]

Hello Rosepetal, thank you for your reply. I know that bananas are a good source of potassium and used to eat one every day as I really enjoyed them. Unfortunately since developing severe heartburn I have been unable to tolerate them.☹️

Yes, I do have a blood pressure monitor, my GP advised me to buy one. I take my blood pressure most days, taking three readings each time. My GP occasionally asks me for the latest readings. I agree with you, they are so useful and I wouldn’t be without mine now. Anything that helps us to understand our health issues has got to be a good thing. 🌺

[onadiet]

I find 50mg better if you get side effects as I do. Prob.with me I have to take 75mg.to get no down enough. Side effects are breathlessness anxiety muscle and joint pain cramps and tingling stomach ache palpitations hot shins .These are just some. Higher dose worse side effects. I've tried ACE CCB Betablockers . They don't work for me.Only Sartans do but high dose.

Not much of a life. Forgotten what it's like to be happy or content.No quality of life.Im now 72 and diagnosed in 2020.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to onadiet]

Thank you.