What are the side effects of cozaar compared to alternatives?

How common are serious side effects with Cozaar?

Serious side effects from losartan, the active ingredient in Cozaar, remain rare but include high potassium levels, low blood pressure, and kidney problems. These occur more often in patients who already have diabetes, kidney disease, or take other medications that affect potassium or the renin-angiotensin system. [1]

What other common side effects do patients report?

Patients often mention dizziness, fatigue, and upper respiratory infections. Upper respiratory symptoms appear frequently enough that some doctors view them alsos as a possible connection to the drug itself. Upper respiratory symptoms appear frequently enough that some doctors view them alsos as a possible connection to the drug itself.

How does Cozaar differ from lisinopril in side effects?

Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, adds the risk of dry cough and angioedema. Cozaar does not cause a dry cough nearly as often. This absence makes losartan a frequent choice when patients cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors. [2]

What side effects might Cozaar avoid that ACE inhibitors carry?

Cozaar avoids the 5–10 percent cough rate and 0.1–0.7 percent angioedema risk of ACE inhibitors. These two issues drive many patients to switch to an ARB such as losartan. [2][3]

Can people experience back pain or muscle pain with Cozaar?

Some patients report back pain or muscle pain. The manufacturer’s label lists these alsos as less common complaints. The manufacturer’s label lists these alsos as less common complaints.