Dry cough side effect of Losartan?

[3bee]

I have been at stage 4 for 18 years and as my consultant says ‘remarkably stable’. I have CKD and an acute kidney injury due to Perindopril not suiting me. I take Amlodipine and Atenolol. I was prescribed a low dose of Losartan earlier this year for newly diagnosed proteinuria. I’m wondering if my dry cough is a side effect?

[Kidme]

Hi 3Bee! During my pre transplant days I was prescribed losartan and developed that dry cough. It’s a known side effect and I was taken off of it after a while. The cough went away. Especially since COVID no one wants to be living their life with a persistent cough.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

From what I read, ACE inhibitors, such as those ending in pril are the dry cough makers. Not losartan or those that end in sartan. But tell your doctor because everyone is different.

[Whatshisname in reply to Bassetmommer]

i agree, in my quite limited experience the high blood pressure meds ending in 'pine' caused swollen ankles and those in 'pril' caused dry cough, so for blood pressure I now take Candesartan which has had no particular side effects- for me at least

[Ziggydoodah]

Yes I got a cough with Losartan. I also got very bad joint pain, especially in knees and soles of feet. I told my consultant and he said it was nothing to do with Losartan. I eventually changed medications and joint pain went with-in a week. Then months later put back on it and joint pain was back. I know it works for a lot of people but I won't touch Losartan.

[oceansplash in reply to Ziggydoodah]

I get the joint and foot pain as well. Doc says it's not the losartan, but I know it is. I need it for proteinuria so I just suffer..

[PecanSandie]

There are other "sartan" drugs. I have switched a number of times between Losartan and Valsartan (I am currently on Valsartan) although I think (not sure) that Losartan might be better for kidneys.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

I am not a doctor. However , yes!!! Happened to Someone I know plus I was warned of it.

Suggest you go to drug manufacturers website and look.

[Golgappalover]

you have been living with stage 4 for 18 years on meds? Wow. I have stage four since two years and my nephrologist is asking me to go on dialysis. Do you think I should consider trying medicine and can you suggest some medicines please.

[3bee in reply to Golgappalover]

I’m in England, where are you? Have you been prescribed anything at all?

I have been taking Atenolol, Amlodipine, Atorvastatin (due to risk of stroke) plus Vit D for osteoporosis. ( I can’t have the usual treatment for that because of the CKD.) The first consultant gave me perindopril which is supposed to be good for kidney disease but in my case it wiped out GFR to 19 from 58 in a matter of weeks. So when proteinuria was diagnosed last October I was given a low dose of Losartan. I was told the ‘sartans’ are cousins of the ‘pril’ medication. I’m ok so far, more blood tests in 2 weeks. The only side effect I’ve noticed is an annoying dry cough.

The consultant said if they could get my blood pressure in low figures I could be stable for ‘many years.’

[Rani224]

Hi 3bee. That is hopeful to hear that you have kept stable in stage 4 for so long. If I may ask what egfr at you at? Have you made any diet changes?

[3bee in reply to Rani224]

I was just told to keep to a healthy diet, low in salt and don’t eat processed food. My egfr was 25 but I had another test last week and haven’t got the results yet.