Losartan
- Class: ARB
- Used for: high blood pressure
- Say it: loh-SAR-tan
- Forms: tablet
Remember the name – LOS → lose, ARTAN → artery tension
LOSARTAN = LOSE ARTery TensioN. The artery loses its grip and the pressure falls.
It blocks the AT1 receptor so angiotensin II cannot dock on the artery wall — the tension is lost at the receptor, not at the enzyme.
LOSARTAN = LOSE ARTery TensioN. The artery loses its grip and the pressure falls.
It blocks the AT1 receptor so angiotensin II cannot dock on the artery wall — the tension is lost at the receptor, not at the enzyme.
Mnemonic: A -SARTAN sits on the receptor
Every ARB ends in -sartan. It blocks the docking site rather than the enzyme, so bradykinin never builds up and there is no dry cough.
Every ARB ends in -sartan. It blocks the docking site rather than the enzyme, so bradykinin never builds up and there is no dry cough.
Side effects
Common: dizziness, high potassium, fatigue
Serious: kidney injury, harm in pregnancy
Typical dose
50–100 mg once daily
Start at 25 mg in the elderly or anyone volume-depleted.
Check yourself
What is the difference between Losartan and Lisinopril?
- Losartan blocks the receptor; lisinopril blocks the enzyme that makes angiotensin II
- Losartan blocks calcium channels; lisinopril blocks ACE
- Losartan is a diuretic and lisinopril is not
- They are identical in action and differ only in dose
Show answer
A. Losartan blocks the receptor; lisinopril blocks the enzyme that makes angiotensin II
Both end up relaxing vessels. The ARB leaves angiotensin II in the blood but blocks where it docks; the ACE inhibitor stops it being made. Because bradykinin breakdown is untouched by the ARB, there is no cough.
See it, don't memorize it
The app has the mechanism comic and a patient case for Losartan – plus the name link, the class mnemonic, pronunciation you can hear, and a self-check, for the top 100 drugs. One purchase, no subscription, no account.