Buy Losartan (Cozaar) — Online Prescription
Losartan is the generic name behind Cozaar — a widely prescribed blood pressure medication and the original angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Here's how it actually works, why it's often chosen over an ACE inhibitor, the pregnancy warning that matters most, and what it costs.
Medically reviewed Medically reviewed by Jill St. Germain, PharmD — NPI 1356626378 · Last updated 2026-09-10
| Active ingredient | Losartan |
|---|---|
| Dosage form | Tablet, oral suspension |
| Administration route | Oral |
Indications: 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE COZAAR is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children greater than 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. There is evidence that this benefit does not apply to Black patients. ( 1.…
Boxed warning: WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. ( 5.1 )
Contraindications: 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS COZAAR is contraindicated: In patients who are hypersensitive to any component of this product. For coadministration with aliskiren in patients with diabetes. Hypersensitivity to any component. ( 4 ) Coadministration with aliskiren in patients with diabetes. ( 4 )
openFDA label data — Updated 2026-09-10Losartan is the generic name for the medication sold under the brand Cozaar — an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure, and also prescribed for kidney protection in type 2 diabetes and to reduce stroke risk in certain heart conditions. It is not a beta blocker, ACE inhibitor, diuretic, or blood thinner, and unlike ACE inhibitors, it usually doesn't cause a dry cough. It carries an FDA boxed warning: it can seriously harm a developing fetus and must be stopped as soon as pregnancy is detected. It is not a controlled substance.
What losartan is, and how it works
Losartan was the first angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) approved in the US, and it remains one of the most prescribed blood pressure medications in the country. It works by directly blocking the AT1 receptor that angiotensin II — a hormone that constricts blood vessels and triggers sodium and fluid retention — would otherwise bind to. Blocking that receptor relaxes blood vessels and reduces the blood-volume effects that drive blood pressure up.
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) — the primary, most common use, in adults and children 6 and older.
- Left ventricular hypertrophy with hypertension — losartan is specifically FDA-approved to reduce stroke risk in these patients, often combined with hydrochlorothiazide as blood pressure needs increase. The FDA label notes this particular stroke-risk-reduction benefit hasn't been shown to extend to Black patients, based on the trial data it was approved on — worth knowing if this indication specifically is why you were prescribed losartan.
- Diabetic nephropathy (kidney protection) in type 2 diabetes — losartan is FDA-approved to slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes and elevated urine protein, independent of its blood-pressure-lowering effect.
Losartan vs. Cozaar: generic and brand names
Cozaar
- What it is
- The original brand, first approved in 1995
- Availability today
- Rarely prescribed or stocked — generic fills the large majority of prescriptions
- Cost
- Significantly higher cash price than generic (see pricing below)
Losartan potassium
- What it is
- The active ingredient itself — chemically and therapeutically identical to Cozaar
- Availability today
- The standard fill for the vast majority of prescriptions
- Cost
- A small fraction of brand pricing, especially with a discount card
Losartan vs. ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and other BP drug classes
This is one of the most-searched questions about losartan, and the confusion is understandable — there are several different classes of blood pressure medication, and people are often switched between them without a clear explanation of what actually changed.
An angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) — it blocks the angiotensin II hormone's receptor directly. It is not a diuretic, not a beta blocker, not a calcium channel blocker, not a statin, and has no blood-thinning effect.
It's frequently prescribed alongside or in place of these other classes for the same underlying condition (high blood pressure), and is sometimes combined with a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide) in a single pill — which is where the "is it a diuretic" confusion usually comes from.
ACE inhibitors (like lisinopril or enalapril) work by blocking the ACE enzyme — the same enzyme responsible for breaking down bradykinin, a substance that irritates airways when it builds up, causing the dry, persistent cough that leads some patients to stop taking ACE inhibitors. Losartan works downstream of that enzyme, blocking the angiotensin II receptor directly rather than inhibiting ACE — the FDA label specifically confirms losartan doesn't inhibit ACE (kininase II). Because bradykinin isn't affected, the characteristic ACE-inhibitor cough is uncommon with losartan, which is exactly why it's a standard, well-established substitute for patients who can't tolerate an ACE inhibitor for this reason.
Dosing by condition
| Indication | Typical adult dosage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertension | Start 50mg once daily; max 100mg once daily | Start at 25mg if volume-depleted (e.g., on diuretics) or with liver impairment |
| Hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy | Start 50mg once daily | Add HCTZ 12.5mg and/or increase losartan to 100mg if more effect is needed |
| Diabetic nephropathy (type 2 diabetes) | Start 50mg once daily | Increase to 100mg once daily based on blood pressure response |
| Pediatric hypertension (6 years and older) | 0.7mg/kg once daily, up to 50mg | Not recommended under 6 years old, or with significantly reduced kidney function |
If you're on high-dose diuretics or otherwise volume- or salt-depleted, the FDA label specifically warns that starting losartan can cause symptomatic low blood pressure — this is why a lower starting dose (25mg) and correcting fluid status first are recommended for these patients. If you feel lightheaded or dizzy shortly after your first few doses, tell your prescriber rather than assuming it will simply pass.
Losartan/HCTZ (Hyzaar): the combination version
When losartan alone doesn't sufficiently control blood pressure, many prescribers add hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) — a thiazide diuretic that lowers blood pressure through a different mechanism (increased salt and water excretion). The two combined typically lower blood pressure more than either alone.
Losartan
- Mechanism
- Blocks angiotensin II's vasoconstricting effect
- Common doses
- 25mg, 50mg, 100mg
- Used when
- Blood pressure is adequately controlled on losartan alone
Losartan/HCTZ (Hyzaar)
- Mechanism
- Adds increased salt/water excretion to angiotensin II blockade
- Common doses
- 50/12.5mg, 100/12.5mg, 100/25mg
- Used when
- Losartan alone isn't enough, or for LVH-related stroke risk reduction per the FDA label
Generic losartan/HCTZ is available and, like losartan alone, is the default fill — brand-name Hyzaar is rarely dispensed. The combination does add HCTZ's own considerations (electrolyte shifts, increased urination, sun sensitivity) on top of losartan's — ask your pharmacist what to watch for if you're switched to the combination.
Side effects — and why losartan is usually well tolerated
In FDA clinical trials involving over 1,000 patients, losartan's overall rate of adverse events was similar to placebo — genuinely well tolerated for most patients. The most common reactions occurring in ≥2% of patients, and more often than placebo, were:
- Dizziness — 3% (vs. 2% placebo), typically mild.
- Upper respiratory infection — 8% (vs. 7% placebo) — likely reflects incidental illness during trials as much as a drug effect.
- Nasal congestion — 2% (vs. 1% placebo).
- Back pain — 2% (vs. 1% placebo).
Less common reported effects include headache, sleep disturbances, palpitations, and gastrointestinal upset. Losartan's own label doesn't carry a cough warning the way ACE inhibitors do, consistent with the mechanism explained above.
Hyperkalemia (high potassium) — losartan can raise potassium levels, monitored with periodic blood tests, especially if combined with other potassium-raising drugs. Kidney function changes — patients with renal artery stenosis, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, or volume depletion are at higher risk of a meaningful kidney function drop on losartan and need periodic monitoring. Symptomatic low blood pressure — most likely shortly after starting, especially in volume-depleted patients (see dosing above).
Drug interactions: potassium, NSAIDs, and lithium
| Interacting drug/class | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Potassium supplements, potassium-sparing diuretics, salt substitutes | Increased risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium) — monitor levels |
| NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, including COX-2 inhibitors) | Can reduce losartan's blood-pressure-lowering effect and increase risk of kidney function decline, especially in older or volume-depleted patients |
| Lithium | Losartan can raise lithium levels, increasing toxicity risk — monitor lithium levels closely if combined |
| ACE inhibitors, aliskiren (dual RAS blockade) | Combining with another drug that acts on the same hormone system increases risk of low blood pressure, fainting, high potassium, and kidney function decline — generally avoided |
| Diuretics (high-dose) | Can increase the risk of symptomatic low blood pressure when starting losartan — volume status should be corrected first |
The NSAID interaction is the one people most often trigger without realizing it — regular ibuprofen or naproxen use for pain, even over the counter, can blunt how well losartan controls your blood pressure and stress your kidneys, especially with long-term use. If you take an NSAID regularly for a chronic condition, mention it to your prescriber so your blood pressure and kidney function can be monitored appropriately, and ask about acetaminophen as an alternative when it's a reasonable option.
Pregnancy: the boxed warning
Losartan can cause serious harm to a developing fetus. Used during the second or third trimester, drugs that act on the renin-angiotensin system — including losartan — can reduce fetal kidney function, leading to low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios), which is linked to lung underdevelopment and skeletal deformities in the baby. Potential effects on the newborn include skull underdevelopment, absent urine output, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and death. When pregnancy is detected, losartan should be discontinued as soon as possible and switched to a pregnancy-appropriate blood pressure medication under your prescriber's direction.
If you're on losartan and pregnancy is even a possibility for you, talk to your prescriber proactively about contraception or an alternative blood pressure medication before conceiving, rather than waiting to discover you're pregnant while still on it. This is one of the more serious, well-established warnings in this drug class as a whole (it applies to ARBs and ACE inhibitors generally, not just losartan specifically).
A note on losartan recalls
Starting in 2018, the FDA oversaw a series of voluntary recalls affecting specific losartan lots (and other ARBs, including valsartan and irbesartan) after manufacturing-related nitrosamine impurities — substances classified as probable carcinogens at high, sustained exposure — were detected in products from specific overseas manufacturers. This wasn't a blanket recall of all losartan; it affected identifiable batches and manufacturers, which the FDA named specifically and had corrected or removed from the supply chain.
The FDA has continued monitoring nitrosamine levels across the ARB class since, with additional lots flagged and addressed as testing methods have improved. If this history concerns you, ask your Arrow Pharmacy pharmacist which manufacturer's losartan you're being dispensed and whether it's been affected by any current recall notice — that's a real, answerable question, not something you need to research yourself. What we don't recommend is stopping a prescribed blood pressure medication on your own because of this history: uncontrolled hypertension carries a well-established, more immediate cardiovascular risk than the impurity exposure at typical therapeutic dosing.
Buying losartan: prescription, pricing, and savings
- Generic is the default, and it's inexpensive. Brand-name Cozaar is rarely stocked today — generic losartan is chemically identical and, at the wholesale level, costs pennies per tablet (see the price table above). Ask your Arrow Pharmacy pharmacist for a current cash-price quote or discount card before assuming your insurance copay is the cheapest option — for many patients on a common generic like this one, it isn't.
- A prescription doesn't require a cardiologist. Primary care providers routinely prescribe and manage losartan for standard hypertension; cardiology or nephrology referral is more common for complex cases or when kidney protection dosing needs closer management.
- We can fill or transfer a prescription quickly. Call us at (860) 522-9289 once your prescriber sends a new losartan prescription, or to transfer an existing one.
If cost or access is a concern, ask us about patient assistance and discount programs — see our patient assistance programs page for options that apply broadly, not just to this drug.
No active shortage reported — No shortage records found for this generic name.
FDA openFDA — Updated 2026-09-10National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC): $0.031 per tablet (LOSARTAN POTASSIUM 50 MG TAB). This is the average price pharmacies pay wholesalers — not your out-of-pocket cost — published by CMS for pricing transparency.
CMS NADAC — Updated 2026-09-10Losartan (Cozaar) Prices in the USA
| Dosage | Brand-name avg. price | Generic avg. price |
|---|---|---|
| 25mg (starting dose, 30-day supply) | $80–150 (Cozaar, rarely prescribed or stocked) | $4–15 |
| 50mg (usual dose, 30-day supply) | $90–170 (Cozaar, rarely prescribed or stocked) | $4–20 |
| 100mg (maximum dose, 30-day supply) | $100–200 (Cozaar, rarely prescribed or stocked) | $8–30 |
| Losartan/HCTZ combination (Hyzaar), 30-day supply | $120–220 (Hyzaar, rarely prescribed or stocked) | $10–35 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cozaar the same as losartan?
Yes. Losartan is the generic (active-ingredient) name, and Cozaar is the original brand name — the same relationship as ibuprofen and Advil. Brand-name Cozaar is rarely dispensed today; generic losartan is chemically identical and is what fills the vast majority of prescriptions.
Is losartan a beta blocker, ACE inhibitor, diuretic, or blood thinner?
No to all of those — losartan is its own distinct class, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It doesn't slow your heart rate the way a beta blocker does, doesn't work through the same enzyme-blocking pathway as an ACE inhibitor (lisinopril, enalapril), isn't a diuretic (water pill) even though it's sometimes combined with one, and has no effect on blood clotting despite sometimes being confused with a blood thinner. It lowers blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II, a hormone that would otherwise constrict blood vessels and trigger sodium/fluid retention.
Does losartan cause a cough like ACE inhibitors do?
Usually not — this is one of the main reasons prescribers choose losartan over an ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitors block the same enzyme that breaks down bradykinin, and bradykinin buildup is what triggers the characteristic dry, persistent ACE-inhibitor cough in some patients. Losartan works differently — it blocks the angiotensin II receptor directly rather than inhibiting ACE — so bradykinin isn't affected, and the cough side effect is uncommon. If you were switched to losartan specifically because an ACE inhibitor gave you a cough, that switch is a well-established, standard practice, not a workaround.
Does losartan cause weight gain?
Not typically, and it isn't listed among losartan's common side effects in FDA clinical trials. If you notice weight gain that seems tied to fluid retention (swelling in the legs/ankles, puffiness) after starting losartan, mention it to your prescriber — it could reflect how well your blood pressure or an underlying heart/kidney condition is being managed rather than a direct drug effect, and is worth evaluating rather than assuming it's expected.
How long does it take for losartan to work?
Losartan starts lowering blood pressure within hours of the first dose, but the full effect on blood pressure typically takes about 3 to 6 weeks of consistent daily use to stabilize. This is why prescribers usually wait several weeks before deciding whether a dose is working and needs adjusting — a single home blood pressure reading a few days after starting doesn't reflect where things will settle.
What is losartan/HCTZ (Hyzaar), and how is it different from losartan alone?
Hyzaar is losartan combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic, in a single tablet — used when losartan alone isn't sufficiently controlling blood pressure. The two drugs lower blood pressure through different mechanisms (angiotensin II blockade plus increased salt/water excretion), which combine for a stronger effect than either alone. It's the same combination your prescriber might otherwise write as two separate prescriptions; Hyzaar (or generic losartan/HCTZ) is a convenience of a single pill, not a different treatment strategy.
Can I drink alcohol while taking losartan?
Occasional, moderate alcohol is generally not dangerous with losartan, but alcohol itself lowers blood pressure and can amplify losartan's blood-pressure-lowering effect, increasing the risk of dizziness or lightheadedness — especially when starting the medication or increasing your dose. Go slowly and see how you tolerate the combination before assuming your usual drinking habits are unaffected, and avoid alcohol entirely if you've felt dizzy or lightheaded on losartan before.
Can I eat grapefruit while taking losartan?
Yes — unlike many other medications, losartan doesn't have a clinically significant grapefruit interaction. This is a common point of confusion because grapefruit interacts with a long list of other drugs (including some calcium channel blockers used for blood pressure), but losartan specifically isn't metabolized through the pathway grapefruit affects.
Why does my doctor check my kidney function and potassium while I'm on losartan?
Losartan works through the same hormone system (the renin-angiotensin system) that helps regulate kidney blood flow and potassium balance, so it can affect both — usually safely, but not always predictably in patients with existing kidney disease, heart failure, or those on other drugs that raise potassium. Periodic blood tests checking kidney function and potassium levels are standard monitoring for anyone on losartan long-term, not a sign that something is already wrong.
What's the maximum dose of losartan?
For adults, the standard maximum labeled dose is 100mg once daily. Starting dose is usually 50mg (or 25mg for patients who are volume-depleted, on diuretics, or have liver impairment), titrated up based on blood pressure response. Don't assume you need the maximum dose — many patients are well controlled at 50mg or even 25mg, and higher isn't automatically better if your blood pressure is already at goal.
Can I take losartan while pregnant?
No — this is losartan's most important warning, not a minor caution. Losartan carries an FDA boxed warning for fetal toxicity: taken during the second or third trimester, it can cause serious fetal kidney problems, reduced amniotic fluid, skull and skeletal abnormalities, and can be fatal to the developing fetus. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking losartan, contact your prescriber right away — don't wait for a routine visit — so you can be switched to a pregnancy-appropriate blood pressure medication as soon as possible.
Was losartan recalled? Is it safe to keep taking?
Some losartan products (along with other ARBs like valsartan and irbesartan) were subject to a series of voluntary recalls starting in 2018, after manufacturing-related nitrosamine impurities — classified as probable carcinogens at high, long-term exposure — were found in specific batches from specific manufacturers, not all losartan everywhere. The FDA has continued monitoring the ARB supply and has taken action on affected lots as they've been identified. If this concerns you, ask your Arrow Pharmacy pharmacist to check the specific manufacturer and lot you're dispensed against current FDA recall notices — but don't stop taking a prescribed blood pressure medication on your own over this; uncontrolled blood pressure is a more immediate, better-established risk than the impurity exposure at typical dosing.
What happens if I miss a dose of losartan?
Take it as soon as you remember; if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your regular schedule — don't double up. Missing an occasional dose of losartan won't cause a dangerous blood pressure spike the way missing some other cardiac medications can, but consistent daily dosing is what actually keeps your blood pressure controlled, so treat a missed dose as worth catching up on, not skipping casually.
Sources
- COZAAR (losartan potassium) — FDA-approved prescribing information (label) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) — LOSARTAN POTASSIUM 50 MG TAB — CMS
- openFDA Drug Shortages — U.S. FDA
- FDA Updates and Press Announcements on Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) Recalls — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Controlled Substances List — U.S. DEA Diversion Control Division
- Losartan / Cozaar price data (average retail cash price) — GoodRx (consumer price reference)