Comprehensive medication guide to Losartan including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay per fill on most insurance plans; typically Tier 1 (lowest copay tier). Medicare Part D covers generic losartan on most formularies at $0–$10 per fill. Prior authorization is generally not required.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$55 retail average for 30 tablets of 50 mg generic without discount; as low as $4–$8 per 30-day supply with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at most pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
88/100
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Losartan (brand name Cozaar) is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) approved by the FDA for treating high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetic nephropathy, and reducing stroke risk in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. It is one of the most prescribed medications in the United States — the 8th most prescribed drug in 2023 with over 56 million prescriptions.
First approved by the FDA in 1995, losartan was the first ARB to reach clinical use and is included on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Generic losartan potassium is widely available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg oral tablets, and as a 10 mg/mL oral suspension. A combination product with hydrochlorothiazide (losartan/HCTZ, sold as Hyzaar) is also available.
Losartan is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider — including primary care physicians, cardiologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — and is available through telehealth platforms.
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Losartan works by selectively blocking the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor. Angiotensin II is a potent hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict and stimulates the adrenal glands to release aldosterone (which causes the kidneys to retain sodium and water — both raising blood pressure). By blocking the AT1 receptor, losartan prevents these effects, allowing blood vessels to relax and widen.
About 14% of an oral dose is converted by the liver (via CYP2C9) into an active metabolite called EXP3174, which is 10-40 times more potent at blocking AT1 receptors than losartan itself. This metabolite contributes significantly to the drug's 24-hour blood pressure control. The full blood pressure-lowering effect may take up to 6 weeks to develop.
Unlike ACE inhibitors (such as lisinopril), losartan does not inhibit the enzyme that breaks down bradykinin. This means it does not cause the persistent dry cough that affects 5-20% of ACE inhibitor users — one of losartan's key clinical advantages.
25 mg — tablet
Starting dose for patients who may be volume-depleted or on diuretics
50 mg — tablet
Standard starting dose for hypertension and diabetic nephropathy
100 mg — tablet
Maximum dose; may increase from 50 mg if blood pressure not adequately controlled
10 mg/mL — oral suspension
Liquid formulation for children or adults who cannot swallow tablets
Plain losartan tablets are generally widely available in 2026 — they are not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. More than a dozen manufacturers produce FDA-approved generic losartan, including Teva, Torrent, Aurobindo, Mylan/Viatris, Alembic, and MacLeods. For most patients, filling a standard 30-day or 90-day supply of losartan 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg at a major pharmacy is straightforward.
However, availability gaps can still occur at individual pharmacies due to manufacturer switches, lot-level recalls, or inventory management issues. The losartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination (Hyzaar/generic) has had more persistent intermittent availability issues, with some manufacturers having discontinued this product. If you take the combination pill and can't find it, taking separate generic losartan and hydrochlorothiazide tablets is often a practical alternative — ask your doctor.
If your pharmacy is out of losartan, medfinder can contact pharmacies near you to find which ones have your specific medication and dose in stock. Results are texted directly to you, saving time and preventing missed doses.
Losartan is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling restrictions. Any licensed prescriber with authority to write standard prescriptions in their state can prescribe it. No special certification, registration, or training is required.
Prescribers who commonly write losartan include:
Losartan is commonly available via telehealth. Since it is not a controlled substance, there are no federal restrictions on remote prescribing. Patients can receive a new losartan prescription or refill through telehealth visits on platforms such as Teladoc, Hims/Hers, One Medical, and Sesame Care, after a virtual blood pressure evaluation and medication review.
No. Losartan is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It is a standard prescription medication that can be prescribed by any licensed prescriber — including primary care physicians, internists, cardiologists, nephrologists, endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. No special DEA registration is required to prescribe it.
Losartan prescriptions can be called in, faxed, or submitted electronically to any pharmacy. Most prescriptions include refills for up to 1 year. 90-day supplies are commonly available and often cost less per dose than 30-day fills. There are no quantity limits, special reporting requirements, or restrictions on how many prescriptions a patient can have at one time.
Because losartan is not a controlled substance, it can also be prescribed via telehealth without any additional federal restrictions. Many online platforms can evaluate hypertension remotely and send a losartan prescription to your preferred pharmacy.
Losartan is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects (reported in ≥2% of patients and more frequent than placebo) include:
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Valsartan (Diovan)
ARB with similar blood pressure and heart failure indications; Losartan 50 mg ≈ Valsartan 80 mg. Widely available as a generic.
Irbesartan (Avapro)
ARB FDA-approved for both hypertension and diabetic nephropathy — same primary indications as losartan. Losartan 50 mg ≈ Irbesartan 150 mg.
Candesartan (Atacand)
ARB with higher AT1 receptor binding affinity; may provide more sustained blood pressure control. Losartan 50 mg ≈ Candesartan 8 mg.
Olmesartan (Benicar)
One of the more potent ARBs; once-daily dosing. Losartan 50 mg ≈ Olmesartan 20 mg.
Lisinopril (Zestril)
ACE inhibitor — works upstream in the same RAAS pathway. Very affordable generic. Key difference: causes a persistent dry cough in 5-20% of patients; ARBs like losartan do not.
Prefer Losartan? We can find it.
Aliskiren (Tekturna)
majorContraindicated in patients with diabetes; increases risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and renal impairment.
ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril)
majorDual RAAS blockade not recommended; increased risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and kidney damage with minimal additional benefit.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
moderateReduces antihypertensive effect; increases risk of acute kidney injury, especially in elderly or dehydrated patients.
Lithium
moderateLosartan reduces lithium excretion, raising lithium levels and risk of toxicity. Monitor lithium levels closely.
Potassium supplements / potassium-sparing diuretics
moderateCombined use can cause dangerous hyperkalemia. Use with caution; monitor potassium levels.
CYP2C9 inhibitors (fluconazole, amiodarone)
moderateMay increase losartan blood levels by inhibiting hepatic metabolism, potentially causing exaggerated blood pressure lowering.
Losartan is a cornerstone medication for managing hypertension, protecting kidney function in people with diabetes, and reducing stroke risk in patients with a thickened heart wall. As one of the most prescribed drugs in the country, it is backed by decades of clinical evidence and is extremely affordable as a generic — typically available for less than $10 per month with a discount card.
Key advantages over ACE inhibitors include the absence of dry cough and a well-established safety record for kidney and cardiovascular protection. The main considerations are monitoring potassium and kidney function during treatment, avoiding use in pregnancy, and being mindful of interactions with NSAIDs, lithium, and potassium supplements.
If you're having trouble filling your losartan prescription, medfinder can help you find which pharmacies near you have it in stock. We contact pharmacies on your behalf and text you the results — so you can get your medication without the hassle of calling around.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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