{"id":630825,"date":"2024-12-30T11:36:15","date_gmt":"2024-12-30T16:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630825"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:55:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:55:59","slug":"telmisartan-vs-losartan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/telmisartan-vs-losartan\/","title":{"rendered":"Telmisartan vs. losartan: Uses, interactions, costs, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hailing from the same drug category, <\/span>telmisartan<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>losartan<\/span><\/a> are generic drugs that help to reduce blood pressure by the same mechanism. They are <\/span>angiotensin II receptor blockers<\/span><\/a> (ARBs), and by inhibiting the action of angiotensin II, ARBs lower blood pressure by reducing blood vessel constriction and renal retention of salt and water. These effects on our kidneys and cardiovascular system have led to uses besides simply treating hypertension. Regarding the additional utility, telmisartan and losartan have different approved uses from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This and other significant differences, including telmisartan\u2019s superior efficacy as an antihypertensive compared to losartan, will be highlighted here.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between telmisartan and losartan?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Main differences of telmisartan versus losartan<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nTelmisartan<\/b><\/td>\nLosartan<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nAngiotensin II receptor blocker<\/span><\/td>\nAngiotensin II receptor blocker<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nGeneric<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the brand name?<\/b><\/td>\nMicardis<\/span><\/td>\nCozaar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What form does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nTablet<\/span><\/td>\nTablet<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n20 to 80 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\n25 to 100 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nIndefinite<\/span><\/td>\nIndefinite<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 6 years and older<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Conditions treated by telmisartan and losartan<\/span><\/h2>\n

Both <\/span>telmisartan<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>losartan<\/span><\/a> are indicated for the <\/span>treatment of hypertension<\/span><\/a>. Angiotensin receptor blockers are one of the primary drug classes recommended in <\/span>national guidelines on blood pressure management<\/span><\/a>. In addition, losartan has two other FDA-approved indications: stroke prevention in the setting of hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy and diabetic nephropathy, and kidney damage related to diabetes mellitus. Conversely, telmisartan has approval for <\/span>cardiovascular event risk reduction<\/span><\/a> in patients who are at least 55 years old and at high risk of cardiovascular events.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is telmisartan or losartan more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

More than one meta-analysis has compiled comparison data from clinical trials and concluded that telmisartan provides greater reductions in blood pressure than losartan. Researchers looked at both <\/span>systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)<\/span><\/a> using different populations and methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Telmisartan was found superior by an <\/span>analysis of studies<\/span><\/a> involving patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension, another looking at <\/span>titration-to-response studies<\/span><\/a> using medication titration to higher doses when necessary based on ambulatory DBP monitoring, and yet another using <\/span>ambulatory monitoring of SBP and DBP<\/span><\/a>. In a <\/span>study involving people with diabetic nephropathy<\/span><\/a>, telmisartan was more effective than losartan at reducing proteinuria, or protein spillage in the urine, from baseline even when they produced similar blood pressure reductions. Telmisartan patients may even experience less insulin resistance in the setting of metabolic syndrome than losartan patients, according to the aforementioned meta-analysis that looked at mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choosing between telmisartan and losartan is more complicated than simply looking at comparison studies. Rely on your healthcare provider to assimilate medical research findings, your specific health conditions, and your medication list to determine whether telmisartan or losartan would be best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of telmisartan vs. losartan<\/span><\/h2>\n

Generic drugs typically cost less for those paying out-of-pocket and are more likely to be on an insurance plan\u2019s drug <\/span>formulary<\/span><\/a> with a lower <\/span>copay<\/span><\/a> than brand-name counterparts. Telmisartan and losartan are good examples of this. For instance, <\/span>Aetna\u2019s 2024 Standard Plan<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Humana\u2019s Medicare formulary<\/span><\/a> include telmisartan and losartan but not Micardis or Cozaar.<\/span><\/p>\n

A SingleCare discount card<\/a> can lower the price of either ARB. After getting the free card, all you have to do is present it to your pharmacist along with the prescription. SingleCare coupons can help one to spend $20 on 30, 80 mg generic telmisartan tablets instead of $220 for 30, 80 mg brand-name Micardis<\/a> pills. Likewise, generic losartan is $6 for 30, 100 mg tablets, compared to $160 for 30, 50 mg brand-name Cozaar<\/a> pills. Losartan usually wins the price war with its lower cost for those without health insurance and possibly a lesser copay for those with coverage through a private insurance plan or Medicare<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Telmisartan vs. losartan costs<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
<\/td>\nTelmisartan<\/b><\/td>\nLosartan<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\n90, 80 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n30, 100 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\n$34<\/span><\/td>\n$9<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Nov. 21, 2025. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n

Common side effects of telmisartan vs. losartan<\/span><\/h2>\n

The ARBs, including telmisartan and <\/span>losartan<\/span><\/a>, have similar side effects. They are generally well-tolerated meds, with the common side effects being upper respiratory infection systems, musculoskeletal or back pain, and diarrhea. Less often, serious reactions can occur, including the following:<\/span><\/p>\n