Switch From Lotrel To Losartan

I have been on Lotrel (10/20) for several years and have experienced several side effects - mostly mild but in combination - I finally decided it was time to re- evaluate and consider other options. The side effects were numbness and tingling in the feet, dry mouth and jittery for 6 hours post dosing, bad taste and significant change in taste, nocturia, occasional dizziness and weight gain... The doctor prescribed Losartan 100mg. As this is he same class as one of my drugs on Lotrel, it seems counter-intuitive to put me on this drug. When I posed the question the doc said well you will have to deal wi other side effects with other antihypertensives. I also asked if my high BP was level 1 why was she not putting me on the 50mg dose - to mitigate side effects - and she said because my Lotrel was a high dose. I exercise regularly, I am in good shape and I am a nurse and monitor my own BP. Is it likely I will experience the same side effects, especially with this higher dose - do others experience these side effects? Does it make sense to keep me on this class of drug and at this dose? Any perspective is welcome. thanks. Ann C

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Hi, Ann! Sorry about the problems you were having on the Lotrel.

However, both of the ingredients in the Lotrel and the Losartan are in different drug classes, none of them are in the same one.

Lotrel contains Amlodipine, which is a calcium channel blocker and Benazepril, which is an ACE inhibitor.

Learn more Lotrel details here.

But the Losartan is an ARB.

Learn more Losartan details here.

And your doctor is right, there's a good chance that you will experience some side effects, regardless of what medication you take for hypertension.

The nocturia is a very prominent one that can occur with all of them, just due to the nature of how they work in the body, the weight gain is also a possibility with most of them.

What you and your doctor need to do is work together to find one that you can take that is effective at controlling your blood pressure, but which causes you the least amount of problems possible.

Being very careful with your diet to remove as much salt as possible and to keep it low in fat and preservatives, as well as upping your exercise more, may eventually enable you to lower it enough naturally that you'll no longer need a medication for it. You may want to look into the DASH diet, it's excellent for helping you get on the right track to lower blood pressure.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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Thank you very much for the classification clarification. I noted that the side effects of the Losartan were essentially the same as the Lotrel - so feel less optimistic on reduction in side effects. I hope with weight loss, diet and my current exercise plan (lost 15lbs) I will get of these medications eventually, but my mother is hypertensive and is skinny so I may have less control on reducing my BP!!! Thanks again! Ann C

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