Losartan potassium

[Halifax11]

I have been told I have CKD3 and that I should take losartan potassium for my blood pressure. I am a bit unhappy taking this as my weight seems to have increased after about 2-3 weeks and I have read that you should not take potassium if you have CKD3,

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

My CKD diet restricts potassium due to hyperkalemia. Perhaps have your Doctor do a blood test for hyperkalemia.

[jodaer]

Who told you this? Have you seen a neph? Have you had labs done to see your potassium level?

[Darlenia]

Interesting. My hubby's transplant nephrologists prescribed Losartan since his labs were showing very high levels of proteinuria. One explained Losartan was very good at "reducing the pressure inside the kidney" which probably created that problem. So it might be your labs that's dictating the choice your doctor made. My hubby has been on many blood pressure meds - as many as three or four at a time. Right now, he's on two different kinds. I do know that high blood pressure in itself is hard on your kidneys. I suggest you sit down with your doctor and go over your concerns and see what he says.

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Generally two one of classes of drugs are prescribed for kidney patients as a protective device for them and as first line to eliminate protein in the urine as they do relieve pressure from the kidneys.

They are also used to treat high blood pressure

Lisinopril, Ramipril which are ACE Inhibitors or Losartan, which is is an

Angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Often these drugs can be used with others to treat hypertension.

I agree with Orange City and Joedaer; I'd check your last set of labs and have a chat with the doctor who prescribed this particular BP medication if you are feeling unwell.

I'd describe the side effects and concern about your potassium levels and why this particular drug was prescribed and ask if your potassium levels be checked.

See what your doctor says as there may be a specific reason why this particular drug was prescribed for you.

Please reach out and come back to the discussion.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Halifax, Losartan, and all the BP meds ending in "sartan" can raise you potassium. I have been on them for years, like over 25 years. I did not have any issues until my CKD went to stage 4. Then my potassium went up, a lot at times and then would bounce back to normal. They thought it was what I was eating, but nope. I was extremely careful with potassium rich foods, completely eliminating them from my diet. Now, she has taken me to half of the irbesartan I was on and put me on amlodipine and hydralazine, which I hate. We are going to have a chat about the hydralazine. She tried carvedilol and had a terrible time on it and told her to take me off. I could not sleep with it and it caused weight gain. BP meds are tricky. But back to your concern. Check you labs for potassium, then check you diet. Losartan is very good for CKD if your potassium stays in range.

[Darlenia in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yes... I suspect when there's less pressure inside the kidneys, they'll filter better and potassium levels will lower accordingly. My hubby, too, had big problems with Carvedilol, yet others don't. Apparently those beta blockers ending in "lol" are indeed responsible for weight gain - drugs like carvedilol. Thankfully, my hubby hasn't had any problems with Losartan. We're truly all so different.

[Milli77]

I took Losarta. potassium and it sent me into a acute kidney failure. The nephrologist felt it was due to lowering my blood pressure to much. I have also read the potassium can cause problems. My kidney levels came back to just above 60 but never where they were before the acute failure incident. So be mindful of the BP meds