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Key takeaways
Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker, or ARB. The use of this medicine is to treat hypertension.
Metoprolol is a beta blocker. The use of this medicine is to treat hypertension, chest pain, and heart failure.
Losartan and metoprolol can be taken together safely to treat medical problems, such as high blood pressure; however, bringing the two together has the risk of decreasing a person’s blood pressure too much, leading to dizziness and falls.
These medications are usually taken daily, either every 12 or 24 hours. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
After getting relevant medical information from a healthcare provider and picking up the medications, store them at room temperature.
Take your blood pressure and pulse daily, at different times of day, or when you feel bad. Keep a log. Bring this into your clinic visit.
Losartan is a generic drug often given to hypertensive patients. Metoprolol (which can come in different forms, such as metoprolol succinate and metoprolol tartrate) treats hypertension, high blood pressure, chest pain, and heart failure. Losartan and metoprolol s can be taken together (with medical advice and guidance) if needed, and doing so can be either beneficial or harmful.
Can you take losartan with metoprolol?
These two prescription medications can be combined safely and in many contexts. “Losartan and metoprolol can be taken together when monitored by a healthcare professional, regardless of the medical indication,” says Dr. Kenneth Fill, Pharm.D., MBA, a clinical pharmacist specialist associated with DrugWatch who helps people manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. “They can even be taken together if prescribed for different conditions.”
Losartan and metoprolol are similar in some ways and different in others. For one, metoprolol is in the beta blocker class of drugs. “Beta blockers help slow the heart rate and are commonly used in patients that have coronary artery disease, have had heart attacks, or have congestive heart failure,” explains Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution. This company offers cardiovascular and anesthesiology services to hospitals nationwide. “Beta blockers are very good at protecting the heart from abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.”
On the other hand, Losartan is in a different family of medicines. It is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that treats high blood pressure. Like metoprolol, losartan protects the heart and can aid patients with congestive heart failure, Dr. Serwer continues. Additionally, angiotensin receptor blocker medications help preserve kidney function, especially for patients with diabetes.
Benefits of taking losartan and metoprolol together
Not only can combining losartan and metoprolol be safe, but it can also be beneficial since they work differently in the body, according to Dr. Fill. One particular condition both of these medications help control is high blood pressure.
Another reason patients take these medicines together is to treat a heart problem. “These two medications are commonly used together in patients with weakened hearts, also known as cardiomyopathy,” Dr. Serwer says.
To purchase these medications at a reduced cost, consider using a SingleCare prescription discount card.
What are the potential interactions of taking losartan and metoprolol together?
Taking losartan and metoprolol together can reduce blood pressure, but this beneficial effect can also lead to issues. “The combination may lower your blood pressure too much,” warns Dr. Serwer. “This could result in dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.” Dr. Fill emphasizes the need for caution, particularly for older individuals at a higher risk of falls and may experience increased dizziness (like when the patients get up at night to use the restroom).
Each medicine has its side effects to be aware of, too. Possible side effects of losartan include blurred vision, tingling feelings, confusion, difficulty breathing, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, and more. Side effects you may experience with metoprolol tablets include (but aren’t limited to) allergic reactions, shortness of breath, fatigue, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and depression.
With beta blockers like metoprolol, Dr. Serwer warns that the heart could slow down too much, and patients with asthma could experience a bronchial spasm. People taking this medication might also experience fatigue or erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, when taking metoprolol, avoid salty foods, processed foods, alcohol, and excess caffeine. Working with an anti-diet dietitian can help patients do this without triggering binge or disordered eating. Notable foods and drinks with losartan interactions include grapefruit juice, alcohol, and foods with high potassium levels, which can increase the risk of certain side effects.
Some populations may want to avoid these drugs entirely. “If you have a slow heart rate at baseline, your physicians may want to avoid beta blockers,” he continues. “If you have underlying kidney disease, sometimes ARBs can worsen the condition instead of help.”
A thorough discussion with a healthcare provider is paramount. “It is important to sit down with your medical professional and review any of these potential interactions so that if issues arise, the medication can be stopped before permanent damage can occur,” Dr. Serwer says. If you or a loved one notice signs or symptoms, get medical attention ASAP.
How long after taking losartan can you take metoprolol?
The dosing schedule is another factor that can impact the effects of these medications. “A preferred dosing schedule depends on patient-specific factors; however, taking an extended-release formulation of metoprolol may reduce the risk of side effects when taken with losartan,” Dr. Fill says.
Essentially, patients often begin with a small dose. “When we prescribe combination therapy, such as losartan and metoprolol, we start with lower doses and gradually increase over time,” Dr. Serwer says. He explains that going slow is important to avoid adverse reactions, serious side effects, and overtreatment.
As far as metoprolol dosing, patients usually take it every 12 hours or every 24 hours, he says, while a dose of losartan is typically taken every 24 hours. “In patients with two different 24-hour medications, I recommend staggering these medications to take one in the morning and one in the evening,” he adds.
The condition you’re treating and how the medication affects you will also determine the best time of day to take it. For example, Dr. Serwer advises people to take it in the morning if they have abnormal heart rhythms or feel tired when they take the medicine at night.
Dr. Fill adds that beta blockers like metoprolol can cause fatigue since they affect the heart rate. “Because of this, taking it in the evening is often recommended.”
But again, the safest bet is to get a treatment plan and medical advice from a healthcare provider who knows the patient’s medical history. Consider taking your blood pressure and pulse once daily, at different times, and keeping a log. Bring this log into your next appointment with your provider to review if your medication timing and dosages are optimized for you.
What medications not to take with losartan or metoprolol
Some medicines should not be taken with losartan or metoprolol, even if the two are not taken together. With losartan, be aware of the following interactions: diuretics, beta blockers, calcineurin inhibitors, lithium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, other ARBs, and aliskiren.
As a beta blocker, metoprolol can decrease blood pressure and potassium levels too much for some people when combined with losartan. This is a potential side effect to be aware of and discuss with a healthcare provider.
Metoprolol interactions include CYP2D6 inhibitors, drugs that cause bradycardia, alpha-adrenergic blockers, epinephrine, ergots, over-the-counter cold, cough, and flu medications, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These drug interactions can affect the heart and blood pressure and cause other side effects.
Taking losartan and metoprolol can effectively manage high blood pressure, but it carries potential risks. Always talk to a healthcare provider about how to take either medication safely before taking it.
Sources
- Losartan (oral route), Mayo Clinic (2024)
- Metoprolol, Cleveland Clinic (2024)