GoodRx Holdings Inc.
10/14/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/14/2024 14:45
Which ARB Medication Should You Take? Comparing Losartan, Olmesartan, Telmisartan, and Valsartan
One of thebest medicationsfor treating high blood pressure (hypertension) islosartan(Cozaar). Losartan is anangiotensin II receptor blocker(ARB). ARBseffectively lower blood pressureand can often be taken once a day. And they're usually available as affordable generics.
But losartan isn't the only ARB medication available on the market. Several others exist and may be a good treatment option for you, depending on your individual situation. Here, we'll compare losartan to three other common ARB medications:olmesartan(Benicar),telmisartan(Micardis), andvalsartan(Diovan).
What's an ARB?
ARBs are a group of medications that are commonly prescribed for hypertension. Some ARBs also treat other medical conditions likeheart failureandchronic kidney disease. Examples of ARBs include:
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Losartan
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Olmesartan
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Telmisartan
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Valsartan
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Irbesartan(Avapro)
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Candesartan(Atacand)
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Azilsartan(Edarbi)
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ARBs vs. ACE inhibitors:Find outhow these two blood pressure medications compare, including possible side effects and interactions.
Losartan was thefirst ARBto be FDA approved in 2010. And now, it's themost commonly used ARB.
ARBs like losartan may causefewer side effectsthan another commonly used blood pressure medication group calledangiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. And ARBs are typicallyas effectiveas ACE inhibitors.
What is losartan used for? As mentioned, ARBs like losartan commonlytreat hypertension. Losartan is also FDA approved for the following reasons in people with hypertension:
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Losartan is sometimes prescribed foroff-label usestoo, including preventingdeath in older people with heart failureand treating people withhypertension and Marfan syndrome(an inherited condition).
Losartan can be an effective medication. But there are other ARBs you may prefer to losartan for one reason or another. Below, we'll compare losartan to three common ARBs: olmesartan, telmisartan, and valsartan.
Olmesartan vs. losartan
When comparingolmesartan versus losartan, they have several similarities. But they also have a few differences to consider.
Similarities
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Generic availability: Olmesartan and losartan are both available as generic products.
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Combination products: Losartan and olmesartan can be combined with hydrochlorothiazide in tablet form. These products areHyzaar(losartan / hydrochlorothiazide) andBenicar HCT(olmesartan / hydrochlorothiazide).
Differences
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Combination products: Olmesartan is combined with thecalcium channel blockeramlodipine inAzor. Olmesartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide are also combined in a tablet calledTribenzor.
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Effect on blood pressure: Olmesartan may be better than losartan atlowering blood pressure. This might be because olmesartanlasts longerin the body (meaning losartan'shalf-lifeis shorter than olmesartan). However, it's unclear whether olmesartan continues to lower blood pressure more than losartan over time. Some research shows that these medications may be equally effectiveafter a few months.
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Rare side effects: Taking olmesartan comes with a small risk of "sprue-like enteropathy." This is a condition characterized by bouts of diarrhea and weight loss. But it usually goes away when you stop taking olmesartan. If you develop these symptoms, talk to your prescriber right away.
Telmisartan vs. losartan
Telmisartan is another ARB that's comparable to losartan. But it's approved to treat certain conditions that other ARBs aren't approved to treat, among other differences.
Similarities
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Generic availability: Telmisartan and losartan are both available as generic products.
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Combination products: Like losartan, telmisartan is also combined with hydrochlorothiazide in a combination tablet calledMicardis HCT(telmisartan / hydrochlorothiazide).
Differences
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Combination products: Telmisartan is combined with amlodipine in a combination tablet (telmisartan / amlodipine).
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Uses: Telmisartan isFDA approved to reduce the riskof heart attack, stroke, and death in people who are at high risk of heart problems and can't take ACE inhibitors. But keep in mind that this doesn't mean other ARBs don't work for this reason. It just means they haven't been FDA approved for it.
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Effect on blood pressure: Telmisartan may bebetter at reducing blood pressurethan losartan. Telmisartan also has better 24-hour coverage than losartan because itlasts longer in the body.
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Effect on diabetic nephropathy: Research indicates that telmisartan may be better than losartan at preventing diabetic nephropathyfrom getting worse.
Valsartan vs. losartan
When comparinglosartan versus valsartan, there are several differences and similarities.
Similarities
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Generic availability: Valsartan and losartan are both available as cheaper generic products.
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Combination products: Valsartan is also available in combination with hydrochlorothiazide in a tablet (Diovan HCT).
Differences
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Combination products: Valsartan is available in more combination products than losartan:Exforge(valsartan / amlodipine),Exforge HCT(valsartan / amlodipine / hydrochlorothiazide). It's also available asEntresto(sacubitril / valsartan), a medication that's FDA approved for heart failure.
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Uses: Losartan and valsartan both show promise in treating heart failure. But only valsartan isFDA approved for this reason.
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Effect on blood pressure: Much research shows that valsartan and losartan aresimilarly effectivein treating hypertension. But some research shows thatvalsartan may be more effective.
Do ARBs like losartan have common side effects?
Though we discussed the differences between losartan and several ARBs below, ARBs mostly sharethe same side effects. Three common side effects of losartan and other ARBs include dizziness, headache, and tiredness. Nausea, back or joint pain, and upper respiratory infections may also occur with some ARBs.
More serious ARB side effects include high potassium levels (hyperkalemia) and kidney damage.
These medications should usually beavoided during pregnancy, as they can cause birth defects.
How to save on ARBs
All ARBs discussed here are available as lower-cost generic medications. GoodRx can help you save on the average retail price at some pharmacies:
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ARB with least side effects?expand_more There's no single best ARB. And all ARB medications can cause side effects. However, these medications are generally well tolerated and don't cause problems for most people, especially once your body gets used to them.
The best ARB for you depends on several factors, such as your medical history, other health conditions you have, and what other medications you take.
Is an ARB the same as a beta blocker?expand_more
What is the difference between ACE inhibitors and ARBs?expand_more
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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) medications treat high blood pressure. They're also used to treat many other medical conditions, such as heart failure. Losartan (Cozaar) is the most commonly used ARB. But there are other options as well. These include olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan).
When comparing losartan versus valsartan, olmesartan, or telmisartan, there are many things to consider. In general, all ARBs are considered effective at lowering blood pressure. But the exact ARB medication that's best for you depends on many factors. Your prescriber will consider what you're treating, what other medical conditions you have, and other medications you take when choosing an ARB to recommend.