Is Shifting From Propranolol To Losartan Advisable?

Posted on Thu, 5 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 5 Jan 2017 Answered on

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been on 60mg er propranolol for 16 days now and i hate effects. My doc is starting me on losartan 25mg to begin tomorrow. I was taking my propranolol every night at 9pm. He told me it was ok to stop and start losartan tomorrow. I am just checking for second opinion.

Answered by Dr. Rini (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Its better to use calcium channel blockers!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly thanks for choosing health care magic for your query!
Have noted all your details.You have not mentioned why were you on 60 mg propranonlol,so i would consider it to be hypertension.

Firstly beta blockers are not the first line antihypertensive drugs,Even if a doctor use them as first line it should not be propranolol(bisoprolol,metoprolol,carvediolol,nebivolol are much safer then propranolol and are highly cardioselective).
Losartan is a AT1 antagonist ,in lay mans language AT1 antagonists are advanced version of Ace inhibitors (lisinopril;which gave you horrible side effects),Apart from not giving you dry cough all other side effects are common between losartan and lisinopril.

I would recommend you to consider Amlodipine , Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine group of calcium channel blocker,and is a highly safe anti-hypertensive drug with minimal long term side effects.

As per you question ,yes you can stop propranolol and start losartan from tomorrow,but its better to shift to amlodipine ;which is much safer then losartan in your case.

In case you have any other query,feel free to ask!

Dr Rini
Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy