Can I take Amlodipine and Losartan together?

You can take amlodipine and losartan together but be mindful of feeling dizzy or faint. They are commonly prescribed together to lower blood pressure.

To avoid feeling dizzy or faint, try to stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Your doctor may want to perform routine blood tests to check your kidney function and potassium levels.

Why this happens

Both medicines work to lower blood pressure but in different ways: amlodipine relaxes the muscles in your blood vessel walls, while losartan blocks a hormone that causes blood vessels to tighten. Using them together has an 'additive' effect, meaning their combined power is stronger.

How to know if you're having a drug interaction

You may be experiencing an interaction between amlodipine and losartan if:

• You feel dizzy or lightheaded, especially when standing up.

• You experience fainting or near-fainting episodes.

• You notice swelling of the ankles or feet.

• You develop headaches or flushing.

• You feel unusually tired or weak.

• Blood tests show changes in kidney function or potassium levels.

• Symptoms start after starting or increasing the dose of either medicine.
  

What you should do

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should:

• Speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice as soon as possible.

• Do not stop taking amlodipine or losartan suddenly unless advised by a healthcare professional.

• Seek urgent medical help if you faint or feel severely unwell.

• Attend any blood pressure checks or blood tests arranged to monitor kidney function and potassium levels.

• Tell your healthcare professional about all other medicines and supplements you are taking.

Important precautions

Pregnancy

You must not take losartan if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby, particularly if used in the second and third trimesters.

High potassium levels (hyperkalaemia)

Losartan can increase potassium levels in your blood. Avoid using salt substitutes containing potassium and be cautious with potassium supplements, as high levels can affect your heart rhythm.

Grapefruit

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking amlodipine. Grapefruit can significantly increase the amount of amlodipine in your blood, making side effects like dizziness and headaches much more likely.

Food and drink warnings

Alcohol

Alcohol can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect of these medicines, which may make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint, especially when standing up.

It is best to keep alcohol intake within recommended limits and see how the medicine affects you first.

Salt substitutes (potassium-based)

Losartan can increase the levels of potassium in your blood. Using salt substitutes that contain potassium (such as Lo-Salt) can lead to dangerously high potassium levels (hyperkalaemia).

Check with your pharmacist before using these.

Using other medicines

Taking multiple medicines? Our Medicines Interaction Checker helps you check whether your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements are safe to take together. Simply search for your medicines to see potential interactions and what to do about them.

Disclaimer

This information is for general educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your GP, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your medications. Individual circumstances may vary, and only a healthcare professional who knows your medical history can provide personalised guidance.