{"id":630321,"date":"2024-11-15T17:55:57","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T22:55:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630321"},"modified":"2025-10-06T16:07:26","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T20:07:26","slug":"losartan-and-amlodipine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/losartan-and-amlodipine\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you take losartan and amlodipine together?"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to the CDC<\/span>, nearly half of all U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but only one out of every four has it under control. Fortunately, there are many solutions, from healthy eating to exercise to an entire range of antihypertensive drugs. Two common options are <\/span>losartan<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>amlodipine<\/span><\/a>, which each help manage blood pressure in different ways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take them together? Yes, they\u2019re safe to take simultaneously for most people. We\u2019ve got all the details below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you take losartan and amlodipine together?<\/span><\/h2>\n

We should always be cautious about mixing drugs, especially ones that might have similar effects on the body. But while losartan and amlodipine both help rein in hypertension, they do so in different ways. So not only is it usually safe to take them together\u2014sometimes it\u2019s even more effective.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmlodipine<\/a> is a calcium channel blocker which is involved in the regulation of the constriction and relaxation of the smooth muscle cells in the blood vessels,\u201d says <\/span>Mary Greene, MD<\/span><\/a>, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology and contributor to<\/span> www.labfinder.com<\/span><\/a>. \u201cLosartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker, which blocks the effects of the hormone angiotensin, a hormone that acts on the kidneys to increase blood pressure.\u201d So the two drugs don\u2019t interfere with each other, and in fact, they\u2019re paired up so often that they\u2019re sometimes combined in a single pill.<\/span><\/p>\n

In<\/span> a study from 2006<\/span><\/a>, researchers called the combination of amlodipine and losartan \u201can excellent option for the treatment of a wide range of hypertensive patients.\u201d And more recent research backs that up, like<\/span> a 2021 study from Korea in <\/span>The Journal of Clinical Hypertension<\/span><\/i><\/a>, <\/span><\/i>which also demonstrated the combo\u2019s safety and effectiveness. Additionally, the FDA hasn\u2019t listed any known interactions for the medications on the<\/span> losartan <\/span><\/a>or<\/span> amlodipine <\/span><\/a>labels.<\/span><\/p>\n

This assumes, of course, that you\u2019re only taking losartan and amlodipine together when they\u2019ve been prescribed by a doctor and in the recommended doses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benefits of taking losartan and amlodipine together<\/span><\/h2>\n

The most significant benefit of taking losartan and amlodipine simultaneously is that it\u2019s more effective than taking either one by itself.<\/span> A 2011 study<\/span><\/a> showed that the combination is more effective than amlodipine monotherapy, while<\/span> one from 2023<\/span><\/a> demonstrated that it\u2019s more effective than taking losartan alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Per Dr. Greene, \u201cIf one has blood pressure that is not controlled on one of these medications alone, adding a second medication of a different class of medications may aid in attacking what’s causing high blood pressure through separate, distinct mechanisms.\u201d So doctors may choose this fixed-dose combination therapy for patients whose hypertension doesn\u2019t respond well to single-drug treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But there\u2019s more. According to Dr. John Lowe, MD, a physician at <\/span>Restore Care<\/span><\/a>, \u201cCombining the two drugs may help achieve the same therapeutic result at a lower dose and, therefore, minimize dose-related side effects.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypertension takes a toll on other parts of the body, and it\u2019s a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. So, by lowering blood pressure, these drugs may lead to several other benefits. For example,<\/span> research suggests<\/span><\/a> that losartan can lower the incidence of stroke, heart failure, cardiovascular death, and even diabetes. Likewise,<\/span> amlodipine can protect<\/span><\/a> against stroke and heart attack.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, both drugs help protect the kidneys.<\/span> Losartan has shown<\/span><\/a> that it can slow renal disease, and<\/span> other research says<\/span><\/a> that amlodipine can improve the quality of life and protect renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Risks of combining losartan and amlodipine<\/span><\/h2>\n

If losartan-amlodipine antihypertensive therapy is taken as directed, there are few serious risks. That said, \u201cthe combination can occasionally cause the blood pressure to fall too low, especially in elderly patients or patients experiencing dehydration,\u201d Dr. Lowe says. That\u2019s why \u201cthese medications require frequent supervision when they are started or changed to achieve the target blood pressure without complication.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, both drugs have potential side effects and interactions that are important to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Losartan side effects<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most<\/span> common side effects of losartan<\/span><\/a> when using it for the treatment of hypertension are upper respiratory infections, dizziness, stuffy nose, back pain, cough, muscle pain, and upset stomach. In rare cases, it may cause serious side effects such as dangerously low blood pressure, high potassium levels, kidney injury, muscle damage, irregular heartbeat, or severe allergic reactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Losartan drug interactions<\/span><\/h3>\n

While amlodipine is a safe addition,<\/span> combining losartan with other drugs<\/span><\/a> may cause worrisome interactions. These drugs include:<\/span><\/p>\n