Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Losartan?Early ResearchUse for EDCurrent ResearchFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Losartan?
Early Research
Use for ED
Current Research
Frequently Asked Questions
While high blood pressure (hypertension) and the drugs used to treat it can causeerectile dysfunction (ED), studies suggest a beneficial relationship between a the blood pressure drug losartan and ED.
Erectile DysfunctionED is the inability to get and maintain an erection.
Erectile Dysfunction
ED is the inability to get and maintain an erection.
Compassionate Eye Foundation / Marcy Maloy / Getty Images
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
Losartan is an oral drug used to treat hypertension that belongs to a class of drugs calledangiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).
Other ARBs include Diovan (valsartan), Atacand (candesartan), Avapro (irbesartan), Micardis (telmisartan), and Benicar (telmisartan).
Early Research: Losartan and Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a condition that affects many assigned males as they get older. Around 44% of assigned males ages 60 to 69 and 70% of those 70 and older experience erection problems compared to 5% of assigned males under 40.
In 2001, a study published in theAmerican Journal of Medicine and Sciencewas among the first to report that assigned males with sexual dysfunction who were treated for hypertension experienced improvements in sexual function when taking losartan.
The study involved 164 assigned males with hypertension, half of whom reported sexual dysfunction and half of whom who didn’t. (Sexual dysfunction was broadly defined as having decreased libido, ED, and poor sexual satisfaction.)
Both groups were given a 50- to 100-milligram (mg) daily dose of losartan for 12 weeks. At the end of the study period, 88% of those who reported sexual issues reported improvements in at least one of the three categories, while 73.7% reported improved quality of life. No such changes were reported in assigned males who didn’t originally report sexual concerns.
What Causes Erectile Dysfunction?
How Losartan Can Help ED
Hypertension can contribute to ED in several ways:
By doing the same in the blood vessels of the penis, blood flow may be improved. This, in turn, can improve the quality and duration of erections.
Losartan has relatively mild side effects, including headache, cough, stomach pain,heart palpitations, anddizziness when standing.
One of losartan’s “positive” side effects (and other ARBs) is its effects on moods. Among the studies investigating ARBs in treating ED, mild giddiness was one of the more common side effects.
ARBs are known to have fewer adverse effects on moods compared to other high blood pressure medications and, for many people, may even elevate moods.Elevated moods can, in turn, increase the likelihood of achieving and sustaining an erection.
Can You Prevent Erectile Dysfunction?
Losartan and ED: Current Research
In the years since the publication of the 2001 research, other studies have looked into whether losartan or other ARBs can improve ED in people with hypertension. While many of the findings have been positive, the results overall remain mixed.
A 2019 review of studies published in theAmerican Journal of Men’s Healthevaluated four clinical trials involving 2,809 assigned males with sexual dysfunction, including ED. In addition to losartan, valsartan and telmisartan were also included.
The researcher found that the use of ARBs translated to improvements in sexual activity, particularly with valsartan. The same was not seen for ED.
This doesn’t mean that losartan or other ARBs may not benefit people with ED. In their conclusions, the researchers noted that the quality of the available research was moderate at best and that three of the four studies demonstrated clear bias. What this suggests is that further quality studies are needed.
On the plus side, ARBs are unlikely to cause any harm to people with hypertension who have ED. In such cases, switching from another anti-hypertensive drug (like anACE inhibitor) to losartan may be a reasonable option if ED interferes with your sex life.
Many drugs used to treat hypertension can make erectile dysfunction worse, especiallybeta-blockersand, to a lesser extent,diuretics. ARBs are far less likely to do so.
Drugs That Cause Erectile Dysfunction
Summary
With that said, the evidence supporting the use of losartan in treating hypertension-related ED is limited. Some studies suggest that the drug may not help at all. Even so, losartan may help boost mood and libido in some people, almost invariably enhancing sexual function.
A Word From Verywell
If you have hypertension and ED is causing you distress, speak with your healthcare provider to see if losartan (or another ARB ) may be right for you.
Even though ACE inhibitors are considered the first-line option for treating hypertension, ARBs have fewer adverse effects and are better tolerated than ACE inhibitors. Unless there are reasons why you can’t take ARBs, switching may be possible.
How to Cope and Live Well With Erectile Dysfunction
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt can take four to six weeks for losartan to lower blood pressure.Common side effects of losartan include headache, cough, heart palpitations, dizziness, and stomach pain.Losartan can interact with other drugs like Viagra (sildenafil), certain mood stabilizers, drugs that increase potassium levels, and certain pain medications. Speak with your healthcare provider about any other drugs you are taking before starting losartan.
It can take four to six weeks for losartan to lower blood pressure.
Common side effects of losartan include headache, cough, heart palpitations, dizziness, and stomach pain.
Losartan can interact with other drugs like Viagra (sildenafil), certain mood stabilizers, drugs that increase potassium levels, and certain pain medications. Speak with your healthcare provider about any other drugs you are taking before starting losartan.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ismail SB, Noor NM, Hussain NHK, et al.Angiotensin receptor blockers for erectile dysfunction in hypertensive men: a brief meta-analysis of randomized control trials.Am J Mens Health.2019;13(6):1557988319892735. doi:10.1177/1557988319892735Turner JM, Kodali R.Should angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ever be used for the management of hypertension?Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(9):95. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01352-8Pastuszak AW.Current diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2014;6(3):164-76. doi:10.1007/s11930-014-0023-9Llisterri JL, Lozano Vidal JV, Aznar Vicente J, et al.Sexual dysfunction in hypertensive patients treated with losartan.Am J Med Sci.2001;321(5):336-41. doi:10.1097/00000441-200105000-00006Hernandez-Cerda J, Bertomeu-Gonzalez V, Zuazola P, Cordero A.Understanding erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients: the need for good patient management.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2020 Jun 12;16:231-9. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S223331Colbourne L, Luciano S, Harrison, PJ.Onset and recurrence of psychiatric disorders associated with anti-hypertensive drug classes.Transl Psychiatry.2021;11:319. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01444-1Carey RM, Whelton PK.Prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: synopsis of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guideline.Ann Intern Med.2018;168(5):351-8. doi:10.7326/M17-3203Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypertension: what you need to know as you age.MedlinePlus.Losartan.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ismail SB, Noor NM, Hussain NHK, et al.Angiotensin receptor blockers for erectile dysfunction in hypertensive men: a brief meta-analysis of randomized control trials.Am J Mens Health.2019;13(6):1557988319892735. doi:10.1177/1557988319892735Turner JM, Kodali R.Should angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ever be used for the management of hypertension?Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(9):95. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01352-8Pastuszak AW.Current diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2014;6(3):164-76. doi:10.1007/s11930-014-0023-9Llisterri JL, Lozano Vidal JV, Aznar Vicente J, et al.Sexual dysfunction in hypertensive patients treated with losartan.Am J Med Sci.2001;321(5):336-41. doi:10.1097/00000441-200105000-00006Hernandez-Cerda J, Bertomeu-Gonzalez V, Zuazola P, Cordero A.Understanding erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients: the need for good patient management.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2020 Jun 12;16:231-9. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S223331Colbourne L, Luciano S, Harrison, PJ.Onset and recurrence of psychiatric disorders associated with anti-hypertensive drug classes.Transl Psychiatry.2021;11:319. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01444-1Carey RM, Whelton PK.Prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: synopsis of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guideline.Ann Intern Med.2018;168(5):351-8. doi:10.7326/M17-3203Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypertension: what you need to know as you age.MedlinePlus.Losartan.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ismail SB, Noor NM, Hussain NHK, et al.Angiotensin receptor blockers for erectile dysfunction in hypertensive men: a brief meta-analysis of randomized control trials.Am J Mens Health.2019;13(6):1557988319892735. doi:10.1177/1557988319892735Turner JM, Kodali R.Should angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ever be used for the management of hypertension?Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(9):95. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01352-8Pastuszak AW.Current diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2014;6(3):164-76. doi:10.1007/s11930-014-0023-9Llisterri JL, Lozano Vidal JV, Aznar Vicente J, et al.Sexual dysfunction in hypertensive patients treated with losartan.Am J Med Sci.2001;321(5):336-41. doi:10.1097/00000441-200105000-00006Hernandez-Cerda J, Bertomeu-Gonzalez V, Zuazola P, Cordero A.Understanding erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients: the need for good patient management.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2020 Jun 12;16:231-9. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S223331Colbourne L, Luciano S, Harrison, PJ.Onset and recurrence of psychiatric disorders associated with anti-hypertensive drug classes.Transl Psychiatry.2021;11:319. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01444-1Carey RM, Whelton PK.Prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: synopsis of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guideline.Ann Intern Med.2018;168(5):351-8. doi:10.7326/M17-3203Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypertension: what you need to know as you age.MedlinePlus.Losartan.
Ismail SB, Noor NM, Hussain NHK, et al.Angiotensin receptor blockers for erectile dysfunction in hypertensive men: a brief meta-analysis of randomized control trials.Am J Mens Health.2019;13(6):1557988319892735. doi:10.1177/1557988319892735
Turner JM, Kodali R.Should angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ever be used for the management of hypertension?Curr Cardiol Rep. 2020;22(9):95. doi:10.1007/s11886-020-01352-8
Pastuszak AW.Current diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction.Curr Sex Health Rep. 2014;6(3):164-76. doi:10.1007/s11930-014-0023-9
Llisterri JL, Lozano Vidal JV, Aznar Vicente J, et al.Sexual dysfunction in hypertensive patients treated with losartan.Am J Med Sci.2001;321(5):336-41. doi:10.1097/00000441-200105000-00006
Hernandez-Cerda J, Bertomeu-Gonzalez V, Zuazola P, Cordero A.Understanding erectile dysfunction in hypertensive patients: the need for good patient management.Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2020 Jun 12;16:231-9. doi:10.2147/VHRM.S223331
Colbourne L, Luciano S, Harrison, PJ.Onset and recurrence of psychiatric disorders associated with anti-hypertensive drug classes.Transl Psychiatry.2021;11:319. doi:10.1038/s41398-021-01444-1
Carey RM, Whelton PK.Prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: synopsis of the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association hypertension guideline.Ann Intern Med.2018;168(5):351-8. doi:10.7326/M17-3203
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hypertension: what you need to know as you age.
MedlinePlus.Losartan.
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