Is Losartan good or bad for kidneys?

[WildIris]

I have read that ARBs is one of the handful of drugs that can improve kidney function. I have been taking losartan for several years. CKD stage 3a or 3b, my eGFR tends to vary. Anyway, I just read the posts about how losartan can be bad for creatinine/eGFR and wonder what other people taking ARBs have experienced. (My BP varies but is usually less than 130/80). Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hello whats, my name is Larry. I take Losartin twice a day along with Carvedilol once a day. It keeps my BP down very well. At a recent doctor visit, my BP was 126/67. Losartin is a vasodialator which means it opens the blood passages. My Nephrologist tells me he takes it even though he doesn't have high BP. He said it dilates the openings to the tubules and nephrons and allows for better blood flow through the kidneys. There is a risk of it elevating potassium levels so that would need to be monitored regularly.

[seabreezegirl]

Losartin is helpful for kidneys

[userotc]

As you're understandably asking for personal experience with losartan, I can't advise but I can send you saved links for potential damage caused by ARBs if you wish?My mum (ckd3) manages hers well naturally, without any drugs

[Ziggydoodah]

I'm not going to sugar coat my experience with Losartan. I was put on it for my kidney function. I didnt question anything at this point. I just put my trust in my medical team. After a few weeks my hair started thinning badly. When I look back at photos, I am horrified at how bad it actually got. Then I started getting the most horrific knee pain. I was like an old woman trying to get up. Then the soles of my feet started aching to the point it was unbearable to walk. I mentioned it to my consultant, he said he had never heard of Losartan causing this. I eventually had enough and took myself off it. Within 2 weeks I was back to normal, absolutely no joint pain. Several weeks later I got a big lecture from my consultants assistant and she persuaded me to go back on it as it was the best for kidney function. I was put on a large dose. I took that dose every day for 4 weeks. Again horrific pain in my joints. Handfuls of hair. After getting my bloods done, my gfr had gone from a consistent 44 down to 33 in 4 weeks. After that I couldnt get it back in the 40s. It was a rapid decline after that. Obviously most people wont experience this. However i have put in my notes i never want Losartan prescribed to me again. For me it was of no benefit whatsoever. I just wanted to put across my experience of the drug. Wishing you all the best.

[Turtlepad513]

I have been on it for probably 9-10 years. I would probably concur with noticing hair loss, but I still have a full head of hair. Otherwise, all I’ve noticed is a very controlled BP and I have high BP due to my kidney disease. So it’s been a positive experience for me.

[Frankie24]

I am on it for very high blood pressure. I also take diltiazam. I am end stage renal failure on dialysis so I don’t know if it really matters about my kidneys but it is not supposed to be damaging to kidneys. Be careful it can raise your levels of potassium. The drug is used to prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems.

[WildIris]

Thanks to everybody who answered. Seems like losartan and the other sartans are generally good, but you have to keep an eye on your numbers. My potassium is at the top edge of normal to slightly over so that in particular for me.