This article describes possible interactions with losartan oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, supplements, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Losartan oral tablet has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the end of this article.
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Other drugs and losartan
The drugs in the list below may interact with losartan oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with losartan. If you have questions about what drugs should not be taken with losartan, talk with your doctor.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with losartan oral tablet include:
- certain diuretics (water pills):
- drug examples: spironolactone (Aldactone), amiloride
- what might happen: can cause high blood potassium levels
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- drug examples: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), celecoxib (Celebrex)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of kidney damage, especially if you’re older than 65 years of age, already have kidney damage, or are dehydrated
- certain blood pressure medications:
- drug examples: lisinopril (Zestril, others), aliskiren (Tekturna)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of losartan and the blood pressure drug
- lithium (Lithobid):
- what might happen: can increase the blood levels of lithium and the risk of side effects of lithium
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Get free cardWhen to avoid losartan
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with losartan oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe losartan in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for losartan oral tablet:
- Taking aliskiren: If you have diabetes and take aliskiren (Tekturna) to lower your blood pressure, this may increase your risk of stroke, kidney damage, high blood potassium levels, and low blood pressure.
- Past allergic reaction to losartan: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to losartan oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking losartan, talk with your doctor about the contraindications of losartan. They can recommend whether you should take losartan.
Alcohol and losartan
Losartan oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking losartan oral tablet and drinking alcohol may increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of the drug. This can increase the risk of certain side effects, including:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- drowsiness
If you have more questions about losartan interactions with alcohol, talk with your doctor.
Other interactions and losartan
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below, you can learn whether losartan oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with losartan.
Losartan and supplements
Before taking losartan oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Losartan and herbs
Losartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs or herbal supplements while taking losartan oral tablet.
Losartan and vitamins and minerals
Losartan oral tablet may interact with potassium supplements. This mineral is used for a variety of health benefits, such as lowering high blood pressure and water retention, reducing the risk of stroke, and preventing kidney stones. It may also be used to keep your potassium levels in an optimal range.
Taking losartan and potassium supplements may increase your risk of high blood levels of potassium.
If you have more questions about losartan interactions with vitamins and minerals, talk with your doctor.
Losartan and food
Losartan oral tablet may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking losartan can make the drug less effective. This can weaken its ability to manage your blood pressure.
Losartan oral tablet may also interact with salt substitutes that contain potassium. Taking losartan with these salt substitutes can increase the risk of certain losartan side effects, including hyperkalemia.
If you have more questions about losartan interactions with food, talk with your doctor.
Losartan and vaccines
Losartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking losartan oral tablet.
Losartan and lab tests
Losartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any lab tests while taking losartan oral tablet.
Losartan and cannabis or CBD
Losartan oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with losartan.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Questions about losartan and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about losartan and possible interactions.
Is it safe to eat bananas while taking losartan?
Maybe. There aren’t any known interactions between losartan and bananas. However, losartan can cause high blood potassium levels. Bananas are rich in potassium, so it’s possible that eating bananas while taking losartan can increase your risk of high blood potassium.
If you have more questions about this risk, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can you take omeprazole and losartan together?
Typically, yes. There aren’t any known interactions between omeprazole and losartan. But this doesn’t mean interactions between these drugs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Omeprazole is a drug used to treat certain conditions caused by too much stomach acid. Losartan is a drug used to treat high blood pressure and diabetic nephropathy (a type of kidney disease related to diabetes). It’s also used to reduce the risk of stroke in people with certain heart conditions.
Before starting any new medications, including omeprazole, talk with your doctor about possible drug interactions with losartan.
Health factors and losartan
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with losartan oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking Losartan, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether losartan is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with losartan oral tablet:
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- excessive vomiting or diarrhea
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to losartan
Preventing losartan interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with losartan oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking losartan oral tablet.
Taking losartan exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
Boxed warning for losartan
Losartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Losartan oral tablet can cause serious harm to an unborn baby during pregnancy. These include problems with fetal development and pregnancy loss. Due to this risk, doctors won’t prescribe losartan if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking losartan, stop the drug right away and call your doctor.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Related articles
- Losartan tablet side effects
- How does losartan potassium treat high blood pressure?
- Losartan tablet dosage
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.