acebutolol vs losartan
Side-by-side comparison of acebutolol and losartan Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Sectral
Cozaar
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats. It belongs to a class of drugs called beta-blockers.
Losartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help prevent strokes in some people with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart.
Acebutolol is used to treat high blood pressure in adults. It can be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines. Acebutolol is also used to manage irregular heartbeats called ventricular arrhythmias. It helps to reduce the number of these irregular beats.
Losartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children over 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It is also used to treat kidney problems in people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Losartan can also reduce the risk of stroke in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged left ventricle of the heart.
Acebutolol works by blocking the effects of certain natural chemicals in your body, like adrenaline, on the heart and blood vessels. This helps to slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. It also helps to make the heart beat more regularly.
Losartan blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps blood vessels relax, which lowers blood pressure. It also helps the kidneys work better in people with diabetes.
No common side effects listed.
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Nasal congestion
- • Back pain
- Problems with thinking or memory 620
- Falling down 615
- Low blood pressure when standing up 573
- Problems with balance 568
- Difficulty passing stools 565
- Tiredness 11,852
- Diarrhea 9,868
- Feeling sick to your stomach 9,206
- The medicine is not working 9,195
- Difficulty breathing 8,439
You should not take acebutolol if you have a very slow heart rate, second- or third-degree heart block, heart failure, or cardiogenic shock.
Losartan can harm your unborn baby, even causing death. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Stop taking losartan as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if acebutolol will harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking acebutolol while breastfeeding.
Do not take losartan if you are pregnant. It can cause serious harm or death to the developing fetus. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether losartan is right for you.
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How to Read This acebutolol vs losartan Comparison
acebutolol is classified in the Beta-1 Selective Blocker with ISA drug class, while losartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, acebutolol has 2,941 submissions while losartan has 48,560. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between acebutolol and losartan — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.