Does Losartan cause weight gain? (3 reviews confirmed) 

In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Does Losartan cause weight gain?”. Losartan is an Angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that is most commonly prescribed to control blood pressure and heart rate. It is also a part of post-myocardial infarction treatment regimen. 

However, it is associated with a number of side effects and we are going to discuss Losartan induced weight gain. We will look at both the research studies as well as the experiences of actual people who took Losartan.

Does Losartan cause weight gain?

Yes, Losartan can cause weight gain. You may find a lot of articles telling you it doesn’t, but we have concluded our data from the actual experiences of people and how they suffered from unexplained weight gain while being treated with Losartan. 

People not just gained a few pounds, but some gained over 30lbs (13.6 kgs), which is a lot of weight to gain. There are a number of possible explanations as to why Losartan can make you gain weight. The amount of weight gained is also different in different people. 

Some have gained a few pounds and they respond relatively well to Losartan as compared to some other people who ended up gaining a tremendous amount of weight. 

Several surveys also revealed that the weight gain was found more common in long-term Losartan users and those who were already overweight. This is exactly why you should definitely monitor your side effects and report to your doctor immediately. 

Being overweight or obese is associated with a number of complications and it becomes difficult to manage the chronic conditions in such people. They have to take a lot of medications to control their symptoms and we all know meds are not so easy to deal with. 

They can affect your body in a number of ways and not everyone is capable of tolerating them well. This is why you should always consult your doctor, keep your lifestyle as healthy as you can, and add some kind of physical activity to keep you moving. Sedentarism can make your condition much, much worse. 

Why does Losartan cause weight gain? 

There are a number of theories to explain Losartan associated weight gain. Experts believe that Losartan induced water retention is one of the most common reasons why it makes people heavy on scales. 

One study was designed to check this effect of Losartan, one of the most commonly used antihypertensives. It was observed that some people showed visible signs of water retention and showed edema on different parts of their bodies. 

Some had swollen ankles and calves and they found it difficult to walk. Some had edema on their faces with swollen lips, eyes, chin, and cheeks. Some people showed signs of swollen stomachs. 

When all of these people were weighed, there was a marked difference in their weight as they were now heavier on the scale. This explained the cause of weight gain and water retention was added in the list of side effects associated with Losartan. 

Several studies have also revealed that Losartan makes you gain stubborn weight, which seems impossible to go away at times. Again, there are a lot of research studies which indicate that Losartan is not associated with weight gain and some healthcare providers will tell you the same, but it does gain weight. Let’s look at what actual people have to say. 

What actual people have experienced so far? 

There are a number of people who have come forward and shared their weight gain stories caused by Losartan. Amy, a 46 year old user stated:

“I don’t believe people who say Losartan does not make you gain weight because it does. I had been using this medication for 2 years after I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I gained over 25lbs in those two years and I did not change my diet even for a day” 

She continued:

“I started to monitor my calories long before Losartan so it was like a habit and I knew my diet had nothing to do with my weight gain. I also had swollen feet most of the year. I talked to my doctor about it and she switched me to Benicar and the vicious process of weight gain just stopped.”

This review clearly tells us that Losartan does cause weight gain. When you have a normal lifestyle, a consistent type of diet, and no other factor is changed around you, you can definitely identify the culprit behind your weight gain in a second. 

Same was the case with Amy. Nothing was changed for her, except for the addition of Losartan in her daily life and when she started gaining weight like that, she was sure it was Losartan and nothing else. 

If it hadn’t been the drug, the process of weight gain would have continued even with Benicar, which is Olmesartan, another Angiotensin receptor blocker. 

Marida, a 60 year old user explained how she is struggling with Losartan induced weight gain:

“I am happy I can finally share what I am going through and spread awareness. I am 60 years old and I have been taking Losartan for a while now. The drug has helped me control my blood pressure and heart rate, but I have gained around 30 lbs. The worst part is that no matter what I do, I can’t lose this weight.”

Merida further stated:

“I exercise everyday, eat a high protein diet with low fats and carbohydrates, I jog 2 to 3 times a week, drink plenty of water, and every other thing that can help a person lose weight, but I have not even lost a SINGLE pound. Everyone tells me it’s your age and your slow metabolism, but I choose to disagree.”

I totally agree with Merida here. Yes, as you grow old your metabolism starts to get slower. Yes, it is harder for a person over 50 or 60 years old to lose weight, but it doesn’t mean they can’t lose at all. This is not how the body works. 

The basic process of weight loss is the same in everyone, no matter the age. Merida has explained how she’s doing everything she can to lose weight, but nothing happens. 

This clearly indicates that her metabolism and her body physiology has nothing to do with this weight gain. The extra pounds are solely connected to the use of Losartan. Merida further stated:

“I will visit my doctor next week and will surely discuss the weight gain and will ask her to switch my med. This weight gain and inability to lose it is making me go crazy. It is decreasing my confidence. No matter how old you are, the way you look matters to you a lot. Let’s hope things get a little easy for me.”

Merida is absolutely right. The way we look can help boost our confidence. When we are satisfied in our skin and in our body, we feel happy. It has nothing to do with our age. 

Weight gain can not only cause anxiety and depression, but it can also make your pre-existing health conditions even more difficult to deal with. Make sure you always report your side effects to your healthcare provider. On the other hand, keep your lifestyle active and healthy. 

You can try portion control and stay clear of sugar and complex carbohydrates for a few months. You can also drink unsweetened black coffee as a beverage. Coffee can act as a diuretic and it can reduce the excess fluids from your body by increasing your urine output. 

Do not let yourself be dehydrated though. It can also cause complications in your body. Make sure whatever you do, it compliments your health and eases the pain you’re in right now. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed Losartan induced weight gain. There are many researchers or healthcare providers who may rule out weight gain to be the side effect of Losartan, but this is not the case. 

The drug can cause significant weight gain and may make your pre-existing health condition much worse. This is why you should always consult your doctor, keep your lifestyle as healthy as you can, and add some kind of physical activity to keep you moving. Sedentarism can make your condition much, much worse. 

FAQs: does losartan cause weight gain 

Can losartan help you lose weight?

Losartan can help you lose weight if your weight gain is associated with high cholesterol levels as the drug can help you reduce your serum triglycerides and LDL levels. However, Losartan is also associated with unexplained weight gain. People not just gained a few pounds, but some gained over 30lbs (13.6 kgs), which is a lot of weight to gain. 

There are a number of possible explanations as to why Losartan can make you gain weight. The amount of weight gained is also different in different people.

Can losartan make you retain water?

Yes, Losartan can make you retain water. In fact, this is one of the most common causes of Losartan-induced weight gain. One research study investigated such effects of Losartan. 

It was observed that some people showed visible signs of water retention and showed edema on different parts of their bodies. Some had swollen ankles and calves and they found it difficult to walk. Some had edema on their faces with swollen lips, eyes, chin, and cheeks. Some people showed signs of swollen stomachs.

What are the most common side effects of losartan?

The common side effects associated with the use of Losartan include:

• Muscular pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 
• Water retention 
• Weight gain
• Acid reflux or heartburn burn
• Joint pain
• Swelling or tenderness in different parts of the body 
• Insensitivity to touch 
• Wheezing 
• Chest pain 
• Hoarseness 
• A rare allergic reaction
• Dizziness 
• Lightheadedness 

Is it better to take losartan at night or morning?

You can take Losartan at any time of the day but make sure you only take it once and just as directed by your healthcare provider. Losartan may cause dizziness and lightheadedness in some people. If it makes you feel that way, take Losartan at night instead of the morning, but you will have to take Losartan every other night at the same time. Make sure you do not take more than the recommended dose. 

Does losartan cause swelling of legs and feet?

Yes, Losartan does cause swelling of legs and feet because of the water retention it causes. A study found that Losartan can cause edema on different parts of their bodies. Some people had swollen ankles and calves and they found it difficult to walk. Some had edema on their faces with swollen lips, eyes, chin, and cheeks. Some people showed signs of swollen stomachs.

References 

• National Library of Medicine – Losartan https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695008.html 
• Losartan side effects center https://www.rxlist.com/cozaar-side-effects-drug-center.htm
• All about Losartan oral tablet https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/losartan-oral-tablet 
• Franz H Messerli. Curr Cardiol Rep. (2002) – Vasodilatory edema: a common side effect of antihypertensive therapy https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12379167/
• E W van Rijnsoever et al. Arch Intern Med. (1998) – Angioneurotic edema attributed to the use of losartan https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9778207/