From the Guidelines
The recommended dosage of Losartan for treating hypertension and diabetic nephropathy is 50-100 mg once daily, with a starting dose of 50 mg once daily and titration to 100 mg once daily based on blood pressure response, as recommended by the most recent guidelines 1. When treating hypertension, the dosage can be increased to a maximum of 100 mg once daily based on blood pressure response. For patients with diabetic nephropathy, the recommended dose is 50 mg once daily, which can be increased to 100 mg once daily depending on blood pressure control.
- Key considerations for losartan dosage include:
- Starting dose: 50 mg once daily
- Maximum dose: 100 mg once daily
- Titration: based on blood pressure response
- Patients with volume depletion: start with a lower dose of 25 mg once daily Losartan works by blocking angiotensin II receptors, preventing the hormone from binding and causing blood vessel constriction, thereby lowering blood pressure. This mechanism also reduces protein excretion in the urine for diabetic patients with kidney disease.
- Monitoring considerations:
- Blood pressure: regularly, especially when starting treatment or adjusting dosage
- Kidney function: regularly, especially when starting treatment or adjusting dosage Common side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and elevated potassium levels, particularly when combined with other medications that affect the kidneys, as noted in the guidelines for the use of drugs in the case of chronic kidney disease 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The usual starting dose of losartan is 50 mg once daily. The dosage can be increased to a maximum dose of 100 mg once daily as needed to control blood pressure [see CLINICAL STUDIES (14.1)]. 2.3 Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients The usual starting dose is 50 mg once daily. The dose should be increased to 100 mg once daily based on blood pressure response [see CLINICAL STUDIES (14.3)].
The recommended dosage of Losartan for treating hypertension and diabetic nephropathy is:
- Starting dose: 50 mg once daily
- Maximum dose: 100 mg once daily Key points to consider:
- The dose should be increased based on blood pressure response.
- The dosage can be adjusted according to blood pressure response 2.
From the Research
Losartan Dosage for Hypertension and Diabetic Nephropathy
- The recommended dosage of Losartan for treating hypertension and diabetic nephropathy is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, the studies suggest that Losartan is effective in reducing blood pressure and albumin excretion in patients with hypertension and non-diabetic nephropathy 3.
- A study comparing the effects of ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers on diabetic nephropathy found that ACE inhibitors were more effective in reducing albumin excretion, but did not directly compare Losartan to ACE inhibitors 4.
- Another study found that twice-daily dosing of Losartan did not provide significant benefits over once-daily dosing in terms of blood pressure control or adverse events 5.
- The optimal dosage of Losartan may depend on individual patient factors, such as the severity of hypertension and kidney disease, and may require adjustment based on clinical response.
- A systematic review of antihypertensive therapies in patients with chronic kidney disease found that angiotensin receptor blockers, including Losartan, were effective in reducing proteinuria and slowing disease progression, but highlighted the need for individualized therapy based on patient-specific factors 6.