Different brands of losartan

[Eviedog12]

Hi,I'm on 50mg of losartan. I've found that different brands upset my stomach so have asked chemist for the brand I know that doesn't. Anyone had the same thing?

[Dovedale4]

Hi Eviedog,

Yes, I do have the same issue and believe it's the different excipients used by drug companies so totally understand what you mean.

To get around this, I asked my GP practice to stipulate the brand that suits me on my printed prescription so I don't have this issue anymore.

There have been other posts about different generic brands in the past so we are not the only ones who notice a difference.

I hope this helps.

[Eviedog12 in reply to Dovedale4]

Thank you for replying. I'll stipulate which brand next time I order a repeat. I began to think it was just me and my imagination lol. Have a great day.

[Dovedale4 in reply to Eviedog12]

No, it's not you at all. I have had very weird and wonderful side effects from different generics in the past! I'm sure your GP practice will oblige, mine were very happy to. Have a nice day too.

[ninja1 in reply to Dovedale4]

may I ask what brand losartsn do you take

[Dovedale4 in reply to ninja1]

Hi Ninja,

I have responded to you on your most recent post. The brand that suits me is Teva - I have not had any side effects from it but everyone is different and if the brand you are taking is causing unwanted side effects, then you should ask for a different brand. Can you remember the name of a previous brand that you were fine with?

[ninja1 in reply to Dovedale4]

thank you

[springcross]

Hi Eviedog12. I had the same problem but with Amlodipine. My GP has stipulated for a certain brand for two years now but my local pharmacy state that they can't always get that brand which is fair enough, as being a large supermarket chain they can't pick and choose what they receive. What annoys me though is that I ring the pharmacy prior to sending my prescription request to the GP to make sure they have that brand in stock. Unfortunately, even when they do have them in stock they don't always dispense that brand which is really annoying and I have to remember to check before I leave the store!

[Eviedog12 in reply to springcross]

Hi there, I did the same thing at my local pharmacy and they said the same. They can't always get the particular brand. If I get the wrong one and they have the right one in stock, they are happy to change but sometimes there's only the "wrong" brand. It's very annoying like you say

[springcross in reply to Eviedog12]

The last time I got mine from the store, I'd checked the night before that they had the brand I wanted in stock and they did and the pharmacists said she would put two packs by for me. When I went to collect them the next day, I asked the assistant as she handed me the bag if it was the brand I'd requested, she opened the bag and lo and behold, it wasn't, yet they had them in stock and it's also stated on my prescription!! If I had left the store without checking, they wouldn't have taken them back yet it was their fault!!

[Dovedale4 in reply to springcross]

I had the same issue with a previous pharmacy I used. I would phone them in advance to ensure that they had the correct brand in but frequently they dispensed the wrong brand and I was convinced that they were giving me whatever they had in with the shortest shelf life. I changed pharmacies and don't have that issue now. It's so frustrating!

[springcross in reply to Dovedale4]

You're probably right about the shelf life. I do use another pharmacy sometimes now (whoever has my brand in stock) and probably would use them more but we shop at the supermarket so it's convenient but they aren't as busy as they used to be and I think I know why!!

[GrannyE in reply to springcross]

that is annoying

[Happyrosie]

and it’s not just hypertension medications!

[Dovedale4 in reply to Happyrosie]

I agree. I know that those taking thyroid meds prefer to keep to the same brand due to side effects. I'm sure there are lots of others too.

[Poetry19]

Hello Eviedog12. I’m exactly the same and like you I asked my dr to specify a certain brand. At first I thought I was being a little silly and tried persevering but it definitely made me unwell using another brand. I asked one pharmacy if different brands made a difference and she said it wouldn’t but then I asked another pharmacist and she said it definitely could and to ask my dr to specify a brand which I now do. I’m always a little cautious of receiving any of my prescribed medication in a plain white box . I do hope you keep well.

[GrannyE]

I have just had the same problem with Candesartan 2mg. The last time I collected my prescription they had changed brands and given me ones with lactose. Luckily I looked at the small print. I am lactose free. My GP surgery has now put on my prescription request that I am lactose free. Hopefully it won’t happen again. I believe that pharmacists try to buy the brand that is cheapest for them

[katieoxo60]

Thanks I did not realise there were different brands of Losartan. I have problems with inhaler capsules since they changed the brand can't open them without scissors, the old brand was so much easier.

[Blue-Anglia]

Hi there I have had the same problem, it appears whatever the different brands are mixed with. It’s the same amount of drug but the mix makes me the same. My pharmacist gave me Accord for the last two months and now can’t get that and been given Milpharm. They say they have to take what they can get. This week my blood pressure has gone so low 90/54 I have had really dizzy spells not good so have missed out one day and taken following. I am on 25mg. Will see GP if it continues. I have also had a severe attack of sciatica for the past 10 weeks and I do wonder as Losartan gives you joint and muscle weakness if this has anything related to sciatica. As long as your blood pressure is kept in control the GP is quite happy regardless of what it causes.

[Eviedog12]

Hi Blue Anglia, some of the side effects say you can get joint an muscle pain, although I've not noticed it for myself. There are so many different brands! I've kept empty boxes so I know which are good and bad. So far I have three!

[ninja1 in reply to Eviedog12]

what brand do you take I have muscle spasm with accord teally debilitating

[BobbyCollins]

Hi Eviedog and everyone ! I am on Losartan 25mg after trying Amlodipine Ramipril Candesartan. All caused bowel issues and Ramipril dreaded cough. I have spoken to a respiratory consultant on another matter and she said if Ramipril causes cough so will Losartan. If that helps anyone. I am currently having pain in my left shoulder collar bone and breasts. Has anyone else experienced this on Losartan? I mentioned to consultant as I have just had abdomen and thorax CT but she said nothing that would cause those pains are showing on CT. Would be grateful for any comments. Good luck all x

[pen5377 in reply to BobbyCollins]

I got the cough with Ramipril, but am quite OK with Losartan! I guess we can all have different reactions to particular medicines.

[Eviedog12 in reply to pen5377]

I was the same. It's the brand of losartan I have trouble with. One brand, no problems at all, another lots of side effects. It's a bit of a lottery as to which brand you get.

[ninja1 in reply to Eviedog12]

what brand do you take I’m struggling

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to ninja1]

I have recently started Losartan, the brand is Glenmark. I don’t think there have been side effects but couldn’t say for sure as I have other conditions and take other medications. I hope you find a brand which has minimal if no side effects.

[1000usernames in reply to BobbyCollins]

Hi l changed fron Enalapril ((ACE) to Losartan due to the cough and fortunately the cough disappeared. However, I couldn't deal with the really weird side effects and disorientation. I tried a different brand, Diovan, but it was only slightly better- BP was very good though. Then I researched ACE medicine with least reported cough, which is Perindopril (l'm in Spain). It's only been a week but so far no cough or side effects and BP very good. Fingers crossed

[SMITHYC]

HiyaI take 100g per day. I changed to taking it at night 8pm. Had no side effects after that. If I took it in a morning I went slightly dizzy.

[BobbyCollins]

Thanks for your responses 🙂

[valezio]

yes I currently have upset stomach and blocked nose due to brand change, I have been on Losarten for 3 years, 100mg. I was fine with them until about a month ago when the tablet brand changed, trouble is I don’t know which brand I had before but the ones I have now are awful, also a much larger tablet. I will have to talk to pharmacist, hope I can be given the correct brand. I hope things go well for you. Take care x.

[Dovedale4 in reply to valezio]

Hi valezio,

If you contact the pharmacy you used to dispense your previous prescriptions, they should be able to tell you which brand they dispensed since there should be a record of it, and you can jot down the name and ask for that brand in future.

Good luck - I know how miserable it can be when you experience side effects from a particular brand.

[valezio in reply to Dovedale4]

thank you so much for reply., I appreciate it greatly. I did ask but the reply was they only had the ones they gave me!!! Told me to ask GP for a fresh paper prescription and try other pharmacies!! They didn’t know which ones I have had, have been taking them some years now. Anyway my GP’s other pharmacy a bit further away were helpful and once I had the new prescription they allowed me to choose! I couldn’t recognise any of them though so took pot luck. They are less offensive but not perfect. I think I best ask for a different med. Thank you again Dovedale4, you are very kind and helpful. Bless you xxx

[Dovedale4 in reply to valezio]

You are most welcome. It's a shame that the pharmacy did not have a record. Good luck and hopefully you will find a med that gives you fewer side effects x

[valezio]

My comment above was for Eviedog re Losarten brand change.