Drug of the Day: Losartan(Drug of the Day Series – PharmaEasyNotes)

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the most common lifestyle diseases today.

And one drug that plays a key role in controlling it is Losartan.

👉 Let’s understand this drug in a simple, exam-oriented and practical way.

🔍 Basic Information

Drug Name: Losartan

Drug Class: Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)

Category: Antihypertensive drug

📌 Losartan was the first ARB approved for clinical use.

🧠 Mechanism of Action (Easy Language)

Losartan works by:

✔ Blocking Angiotensin II receptors (AT₁)

✔ Preventing vasoconstriction

✔ Reducing aldosterone secretion

✔ Lowering blood pressure smoothly

👉 Result: Blood pressure decreases without severe cough

📌 Important point:

Unlike ACE inhibitors, ARBs do not cause dry cough.

🫀 Therapeutic Uses

Losartan is used in:

Hypertension

Diabetic nephropathy

Heart failure

Stroke risk reduction

✔ Very common in diabetic + hypertensive patients

💊 Dosage (General)

25–100 mg once daily (oral)

Dose adjusted based on patient condition

⚠️ Always prescribed under medical supervision.

🚨 Common Side Effects

Dizziness

Hypotension

Hyperkalemia

Fatigue

📌 Much better tolerated than ACE inhibitors.

❌ Contraindications

Pregnancy (teratogenic risk)

Severe renal artery stenosis

Hypersensitivity to ARBs

🧪 Why Losartan is Important for Pharmacy Students?

✔ Frequently asked in pharmacology exams

✔ Part of cardiovascular drug unit

✔ High clinical & industry relevance

✔ Easy to compare with ACE inhibitors

📌 Losartan = perfect example to understand ARBs as a class.

✍️ Exam Writing Tip (Score Booster 🔥)

One-line answer:

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used in the treatment of hypertension.

🧠 Comparison (Exam Favorite ❗)

Drug

Class

Cough

Enalapril

ACE inhibitor

Yes

Losartan

ARB

No

📌 Very common viva question.

💬 Student Engagement Section

❓ Question for you:

Which is better tolerated?

👉 ACE inhibitors or ARBs?

Comment below 👇