From the FDA Drug Label
Losartan potassium tablets may be administered with other antihypertensive agents. The usual starting dose of losartan potassium tablet 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
The medication losartan is recommended for managing hypertension. The usual starting dose is 50 mg once daily, and the dosage can be increased to a maximum of 100 mg once daily as needed to control blood pressure 1.
- Key points:
- Losartan can be administered with other antihypertensive agents.
- The starting dose is 50 mg once daily.
- The maximum dose is 100 mg once daily.
From the Research
Beta-blockers should not be the first-line treatment for stress-induced hypertension due to their inferior stroke protection compared to other antihypertensive agents, as evidenced by recent guidelines 2. When managing stress-induced hypertension, the primary goal is to reduce blood pressure while minimizing the risk of adverse effects.
- Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (5-10mg daily) or diltiazem (120-360mg daily), are often preferred as first-line treatments due to their effectiveness in reducing blood pressure and stroke risk.
- ACE inhibitors (lisinopril 10-40mg daily) or ARBs (losartan 25-100mg daily) may also be prescribed, particularly for patients with comorbid conditions like diabetes.
- Beta-blockers, such as propranolol (starting at 20-40mg twice daily), metoprolol (25-100mg twice daily), or atenolol (25-100mg once daily), may be considered in specific cases, such as patients with angina pectoris, a previous myocardial infarction, heart failure, or certain dysrhythmias, as they can provide additional benefits in these conditions 3, 4.
- For acute stress situations, short-acting anti-anxiety medications such as lorazepam (0.5-2mg as needed) might be temporarily used alongside antihypertensives.
- Treatment should always be combined with lifestyle modifications, including stress management techniques, regular exercise, healthy diet, adequate sleep, and limiting caffeine and alcohol.
- The choice of medication depends on individual factors, including age, other medical conditions, and potential side effects, and regular blood pressure monitoring is essential to assess treatment effectiveness 5, 6.