What Causes Stomach Cramps After Switching From Benicar To Losartan?

Posted on Fri, 29 Apr 2016

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

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 Answered on

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I was on Benicar 20mg. For 5 years with no problem. Because of insurance, my doctor switched me to losartan 100mg. Today was the first day. 3 hours after taking the med, I got severe stomach cramps and have been having bloody diarrhea. Could this be a reaction to the medicine. I've never had this before.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend performing some tests:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and would explain that losartan could cause diarrhea as a adverse effect. The fact that diarrhea started just after taking losartan indicates a possible relationship.

Anyway the presence of blood in diarrhea is not explained by losartan intake and is concerning about other possible causes of gastro-intestinal bleeding (like an infection, gastro-intestinal erosions, etc.).

I would recommend going to the ER for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- complete blood count
- PCR, sedimentation rate
- blood electrolytes
- a stool test for blood and a stool bacterial culture.

If the presence of blood is confirmed by the stool analysis, you may need to perform fibrogastroscopy to exclude possible gastro-intestinal lesions (including ulcers, erosions, etc.) which can cause gastro-intestinal bleeding.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar