Long term use of Losartan
Posted , 31 users are following.
I have been taking Losartan since 1996.
During that time I have noticed several changes in my health but until now I did not even consider that they may be side effects of the drug.
I will list my symptoms and I would appreciate anyone's views or similar experiences whilst taking this drug.
(I have asked my GP but he puts everything down to age!!. I was 51 when I started taking them,
I'm 68 now)
Symptoms
Anxious feelings like feeling a bit scared all the time.
Burning sensation in lower legs when laid down in bed.
Cramp in legs and feet.
Skin blotchy.and a bit purple in colour. A bit like when you have sat in front of a fire too long.
This started in my legs but now covers most of my body.
Breathlessness and a wheezy cough.
Any helpful comments or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
pam
4 likes, 34 replies
mary43266 pam60654
Posted
Pam I started taking Losartan a few months ago. I sometimes get that "feeling a bit lost" feeling, have been feeling very down to the point I could cry. Don't know if the tablets are causing this or not. I'm afraid to try anything else as I got rid of the terrible cough from Ramipril which I had for about ten years. No cramp or anything like that in my legs though or burning.
mary43266 pam60654
Posted
bryan565 pam60654
Posted
I was on Losartan 100mg for about 3 months and I started to experience difficulty walking. I take the grandchildren to school and am 78 I ended up using a walking stick and couldn't walk without feeling pain in hips and knees I spoke to my GP and he reduced the dose to 25 and another Amlodipine. The pain went away within a week and now I am experiencing constant cold symptoms which I put down to hay fever but now I shall be visiting the GP again for something different.
javar46276 pam60654
Edited
Anth0ny_B. javar46276
Posted
javar46276 Anth0ny_B.
Edited
Anth0ny_B. javar46276
Edited
paul70664 pam60654
Posted
I had double vision in Jan, took med for Flu, BP, med. I went to sleep and woke up with double vision. The only other thing I was taking from time to time was some xanax. It has now finally gone away and I see great again. I know either one or the combo of both did this. It took about 3 months. If you look up side effects everyone of BP meds most say can cause double vision or blurry vision. Losartan is a ARB and works on your brain and it along with many others has major side effects. They all do some not has bad but they all do if not now then wait and they will happen. I have been a list a mile long. Still taking Losartan but a low dose and playing tennis , biking, gym almost every day. I may go to a Hypertension Center to see if my kidneys are causing it. Im just tired of doctors but I read that the Hypertension Centers can help quite a bit. Anyway, if anyone suspects that a drug is giving them problems then its a good chance it is. So Im doing what I can to take as little and enjoy life. Enjoy life and each day as its a gift .Good Luck!
DR-RAY pam60654
Posted
joshuapryce1987 pam60654
Posted
I think these are all symptoms of anxiety and not the drug.
kat98646 joshuapryce1987
Posted
Nope. Losartan does cause anxiety if you have never had it, and greatly increases anxiety if you had it before starting treatment. It is well known, documented and even listed as a side effect. For me Losartan is a nightmare even at a low dose. 2 years on it. 64 yr old female. This drug has caused me....back pain, leg pain and cramps, post nasal drip(continually for 2 years), hair loss, anxiety, depression, weight gain, tinnitus, GERD, weakness, lack of energy , vision changes, diarrhea, heat intolerance, bloating, insomnia and no change in blood pressure. I called my doctor and told him I am not taking it anymore. My blood pressure was fine to start with 120-130s over 80s. I did half a dose for a week and then stopped completely. Within 4 days I have more energy than I have had for 2 years. I sleep better. Leg pain gone. Back pain almost gone. Depression gone. Anxiety almost gone. I can't wait to see my weight get back to normal and my hair to grow again. I am encouraged by so many who have stated that their hair loss reversed after about 6 months of stopping. Every time I tried to talk to my doc about side effects he just dismissed me or said losartan doesn't do that. Well it does. It is documented. Docs just go by what the company inserts or reps (i equate drug reps with used car salesmen) tell them. When you have side effects it is important to report to the FDA and make your doctor hear you. You know your body better than they do. For some people this is a very helpful and even necessary drug. For others it is not even needed and it can have horrible side effects.
kat98646
Posted
Also, post nasal drip stopped 3 days after I stopped taking it. Imagine 2 years of post nasal drip, which also contributed to a cough and heartburn and then...magically gone....
Weidemann2008 pam60654
Edited
I have been using Losartan for a little while now and have developed an irregular heartbeat. My heart regularly throws PAC's and PVC's also know as the feeling of a skipped beat. I have been evaluated and worn a heart monitor and the cardiologist believes there is nothing to worry about. But I'm curious, it's anyone else experiencing anything like this while taking Losartan?
sonny15450 Weidemann2008
Edited
I stayed for3 days in er with a monitor,and dr. told me that the pvcs were benign,not to worry ,ruled out underline heart problem cause .I researched for hours and finally a suggestion said low magnesium levels could cause pvc.so I took some for 2 days and they went away. Hope it works for you
jane6 Weidemann2008
Posted
I'm taking Losartan 100 mgs and for the past month have developed irregular heartbeat/ palpitations. At first, I thought it might be a sign of overdoing exercise as they're really noticeable after a walk. I also suffer chronic fatigue/ME and was beginning to blame that. Having read your post, now I'm not so sure. Have your palpitations reduced? Have you aborted meds or changed them?