Individuals who have high blood pressure are often prescribed medications to help manage those levels. It is common for doctors to use Losartan Vs Lisinopril to reduce blood pressure levels to offset potential risks. While these medications serve the same purposes, there are key differences between them. In particular, the medications fit into different categories.
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor whereas Losartan is an ARB. Nevertheless, both can be beneficial for lowering blood pressure levels.
Again, these medications are prescribed to patients with high blood pressure to help prevent heart attacks and other problems. While they are effective for this purpose, the medications are not identical. For instance, they work differently. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor meaning it will inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme. As for Losartan, it is an ARB or angiotensin II receptor blocker.
Lisinopril is effective because it prevents the body from producing angiotensin II. As a result, it will help manage blood pressure levels while also preventing the constriction of the blood vessels. Losartan is an ARB so it will stop angiotensin II from binding to the receptors. It also helps manage blood pressure levels while stopping the hormone from narrowing the blood vessels.
These medications are available in brand and generic forms and they’re intended for long-term use. Lisinopril is available in oral solution form, but Losartan is not. Both medications are covered by many insurance policies as well as Medicare. The dosage of Lisinopril required ranges from 5 mg to 40 mg per day.
Patients given Losartan may need to take between 25 and 100 mg daily. The doctor will help the patient determine which medication is best for them.
Lisinopril and Amlodipine are similar and help combat high blood pressure levels, but they belong to different drug classes. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker while Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. Nevertheless, these medications are designed to help patients lower their blood pressure levels while reducing the risk of heart attacks.
These medications have similar side effects with the most common being nausea, dizziness, headaches, and tiredness. Some patients taking Lisinopril may develop a rash as well.
Some doctors use Metoprolol to treat high blood pressure, but others recommend Lisinopril. These medications are effective for this purpose although they can be used for other things too. Metoprolol can also help manage chest pain while treating heart failure. Lisinopril is known to control the heart rate. Each patient is different so it is hard to determine the exact reaction someone will have to each medication.
However, many patients argue that they’ve had better results when using Losartan Vs Lisinopril.
Patients taking any prescription medication may experience a variety of side effects. Therefore, it is pertinent to be aware of these things so the patient can act accordingly. It is vital to avoid using Lisinopril with substances that could cause adverse interactions. More about the common side effects will be provided below.
Individuals taking Lisinopril may worry that they’re going to gain weight unexpectedly. Although the medication can cause abdominal pain and nausea, it normally doesn’t impact the user’s weight. It isn’t known to cause weight gain or weight loss. Common side effects of taking Lisinopril include bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Lisinopril is primarily given to patients to help lower blood pressure levels. Although it might be used for other reasons, it is most effective for controlling blood pressure. Some suspect it will lower their heart rate as well, but lisinopril should not impact the user’s heart rate. However, the patient may be using lisinopril along with other prescription medications that could lower their heart rate.
Can lisinopril cause weight gain? It usually does not impact a person’s weight.
Certain prescription medications can increase the likelihood that a male patient is going to experience erectile dysfunction. Typically, lisinopril does not fit into this group. ED is not a known side effect of this medication. Instead, patients with ED may experience improvements when using ED.
If erectile dysfunction is caused by constricted blood vessels and high blood pressure, lisinopril may improve the condition.
Since Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, there is a risk that it will cause hair loss. ACE inhibitors are known to cause hair thinning. Patients taking lisinopril for long periods to manage heart issues may eventually develop alopecia. Although other ACE inhibitors can cause this problem, the most problematic include captopril and enalapril. Both Losartan Vs Lisinopril can be effective at the end.
Usually, this type of hair loss is reversible. Once the patient stops taking lisinopril, they will begin growing back the hair in six months. If hair loss is a concern, the patient should talk to their doctor about finding a suitable alternative.
Unfortunately, it is possible to overdose on many medications including lisinopril. Some people will experience severe side effects due to allergic reactions to the medication. However, there is also a chance that the patient has mistakenly taken too much. If this happens, their blood pressure levels may drop too low. As a result, they could have difficulty breathing and they may even faint.
If someone suspects they’ve taken too much lisinopril, they should seek medical assistance immediately.
Taking an ACE inhibitor for a long period could lead to issues in the long run. While the benefits may be worth it, the patient should still be aware of these potential problems. Long-term use of Lisinopril and other ACE inhibitors can increase the risk of developing hyperkalemia. A study analyzed 5,171 patients that were taking this medication.
It was found that 145 users experience hyperkalemia within 90 days of taking the medication. Hyperkalemia should be treated promptly to avoid serious repercussions.
Losartan Vs Lisinopril can remain in the user’s system for different periods. Some tend to leave the system much faster than others. Lisinopril is not going to stay in the system for too long. On average, it is believed that the half-life in the blood is roughly 12 hours. Urine tests aren’t usually designed to detect this medication, but it can remain in the urine for a maximum of three days after consumption.
On average, a doctor will be able to detect lisinopril in the patient’s system for up to 24 hours. Remember to never use Lisinopril and alcohol together.
Lisinopril can interact with other medications. Therefore, extreme caution is required when taking pain relievers. Certain medications will impact the effectiveness of lisinopril. The doctor should be notified if the patient is taking any anti-inflammatory medications, asthma medications, or diuretics. In general, the patient should be able to take low-dose aspirin without experiencing issues.
75mg per day should be safe. It is also vital to avoid mixing herbal remedies and supplements with lisinopril.
Some patients taking lisinopril will develop a dry cough. Unfortunately, the problem will likely linger until the patient stops using lisinopril. It is always a good idea to weigh the pros and cons when determining whether it could be a good idea to switch medications. While it is possible to get rid of the cough by not using lisinopril, that could be dangerous.
Talk to a medical professional to determine whether it is safe to stop using an ACE inhibitor. In some cases, the doctor will argue that the benefits of the medication outweigh the patient having a cough. After someone has stopped taking lisinopril, their cough should clear up in one to four weeks. However, it may take up to three months for some patients.
Most patients with hypertension can be treated with both Losartan and Lisinopril with minimal side effects. Primary care physicians should not prescribe either medicine to pregnant women and women considering future pregnancy. Research reveals a connection between kidney problems in babies of mothers who took Lisinopril during their second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
The US Food and Drug Administration “FDA” recalled Losartan medicines in 2019, after they were determined to contain a chemical connected to cancer. Primary care physicians immediately began switching their patients to Lorsartan alternatives.
Patients taking Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs “NSAIDs” should alert their primary care physicians when prescribed Losartan medications. Lisinopril works by lowering blood pressure levels. NSAIDs, on the other hand, can increase blood pressure levels. Losartan Vs Lisinopril may not be able to regulate blood pressure in NSAID patients. An alternative to NSAIDs should be prescribed to treat common degenerative diseases, including Osteoarthritis “OA” and Rheumatoid Arthritis “RA.”
Lisinopril nursing considerations include blood pressure monitoring before administration. Lung auscultation or lung assessment utilizing a stethoscope should be conducted before administration. Continuous lung auscultation should be utilized to detect signs of Congestive Heart Failure “CHF.” Lisinopril has been shown to worsen water retention in patients with CHF.
The cost of Lisinopril can be expensive meaning it is too costly for many consumers. Unfortunately, many patients do not have a comprehensive insurance policy and many aren’t eligible for government-backed plans. Patients may have to pay a few hundred bucks a month to use lisinopril. It is possible to minimize the cost by taking advantage of the CharityRx discount card. With the discount card, consumers may save up to 80% on their prescription medications.
Lisinopril is a must for many patients who struggle with high blood pressure. These patients should learn more about the potential repercussions of using this drug. They should also take advantage of the CharityRx discount card to save money on prescriptions and refills.
