Losartan oral tablets are a generic medication of the brand-name drug Cozaar. This article describes losartan’s dosages, strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for losartan.
If you want to know more about losartan, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm
Losartan has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See the end of this article for more information.
Form and strengths of losartan
Losartan oral tablets come as follows:
- Form: a tablet that you swallow
- Strengths:
- 25 milligrams (mg)
- 50 mg
- 100 mg
Dosage of losartan
This article describes the usual recommended dosage range* for losartan potassium (usually called “losartan”) oral tablets in adults and some children.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of losartan oral tablets without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages. If your doctor prescribes losartan, be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you.
Usual recommended losartan dosages for adults
Usually, doctors will start by prescribing a low dosage of losartan oral tablets. Then, they may adjust the dosage over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of losartan that gives the desired outcome.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs.
Dosage for high blood pressure and other conditions in adults
The recommended dosage of losartan oral tablets for adults with high blood pressure or diabetic kidney disease is as follows:
- Starting dosage: 50 milligrams (mg) once per day
- Maintenance dosage: 100 mg once per day
- Maximum dosage: 100 mg once per day
Dosage of losartan for children
Losartan oral tablets are prescribed to treat high blood pressure in children ages 6 years and older. The usual dosage is 0.7 mg per kilogram (kg) once per day. This can go up to a maximum dosage of 50 mg once per day.
The dosage depends on your child’s body weight in kg. (For reference, 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds [lb].) Your child’s doctor will calculate the dosage based on your child’s body weight. Then, they’ll round the calculated dosage to the nearest strength of losartan oral tablet that’s available.
For example, if your child weighs 35 kg (about 77 lb), the calculated starting dose would be 24.5 mg. Your child’s doctor will likely round this up to a daily dose of 25 mg. This is because 25 mg is the lowest strength of losartan oral tablet that’s available.
For children’s dosages, pharmacists can prepare a liquid suspension (liquid mixture) using losartan tablets. It will contain 2.5 mg of losartan per milliliter (mL) of liquid. Using the example above, your child’s daily dose of 24.5 mg would equal 9.8 mL of liquid suspension.
Dosage adjustments for losartan
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of losartan oral tablets based on several factors, including:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- body weight for children
- other health conditions you may have
- how effective losartan is at treating your condition
Missed dose of losartan
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about missed doses of losartan oral tablets. They can recommend whether you should take the missed dose or skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of losartan oral tablets and avoid missed doses, read this article. You could also try downloading a reminder app on your phone or setting an alarm.
How losartan is taken
Losartan oral tablets are taken by mouth. You’ll swallow them once per day.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This can help the drug work more effectively because it keeps a consistent amount in your body.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
If you or your child cannot swallow tablets, your pharmacist can make a liquid suspension of losartan. This is a type of liquid mixture that’s made using losartan tablets. You’ll swallow the liquid suspension according to your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Losartan coupon
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for losartan when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about losartan oral tablets and their dosage.
Do 50-mg losartan doses cause different side effects than 25-mg doses?
No, it isn’t likely that taking a 50-milligram (mg) dose would cause different side effects than a 25-mg dose. Taking a higher dose* of losartan may raise your risk of side effects from the drug. It may also raise the risk that they’ll be severe. But higher doses aren’t expected to cause different side effects than lower doses.
You can learn more about specific side effects of losartan in this article.
If you notice any new symptoms or side effects while taking a higher dose of losartan, call your doctor.
* See the “Dosage of losartan” section above for recommended dosages of losartan.
Is there a recommended losartan dosage for seniors?
No, there’s no recommended losartan dosage adjustment for older adults (ages 65 years and older). In studies, the safety and effectiveness of losartan in older adults were similar to younger adults. So, the drugmaker hasn’t recommended a different losartan dosage for older adults.
To learn more about losartan dosing in older adults, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also view a summary of recommended losartan dosages in the “Dosage of losartan” section above.
What’s the usual dosage of losartan and HCTZ?
The usual dosage of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) depends on the condition being treated. Doctors may prescribe HCTZ and losartan together to lower blood pressure more than losartan alone. If your doctor prescribes HCTZ and losartan, they’ll recommend the right dosages for you.
Doctors may also prescribe HCTZ with losartan if you have high blood pressure and a condition called left ventricular hypertrophy. (With this condition, a part of your heart called the left ventricle becomes enlarged.) In this case, the usual starting dose for losartan is 50 mg, and the starting dose for HCTZ is 12.5 mg, both taken once per day. This may be increased to a losartan dose of 100 mg and an HCTZ dose of 25 mg, both taken once per day.
Losartan and HCTZ are also active ingredients in the brand-name drug Hyzaar. This drug is available as a generic version. Similar to losartan, this drug is used to lower blood pressure. If your doctor prescribes Hyzaar, they’ll recommend the right dosage for you. For more information, talk with your doctor. You can also view this article.
To learn more about taking losartan and HCTZ together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is losartan used long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe losartan oral tablets as a long-term treatment.
If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
