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aliskiren vs losartan

Side-by-side comparison of aliskiren and losartan. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

7.4 Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or aliskiren is associated with increased risks of hypotension, syncope, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not coadminister aliskiren with losartan potassium in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with losartan potassium in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 mL/min).

Recommendation: You should not use these drugs together if you have diabetes or poor kidney function.

Drug Class
aliskiren Direct Renin Inhibitor
losartan Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Type
aliskiren Prescription
losartan Prescription
Summary
aliskiren

Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It helps lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

losartan

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.

What It Treats
aliskiren

Tekturna is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children who weigh at least 110 pounds and are 6 years or older. Lowering your blood pressure helps prevent strokes and heart attacks. It is important to manage high blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle too.

losartan

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.

How It Works
aliskiren

Tekturna works by blocking a substance in your body called renin. Renin helps to control your blood pressure. By blocking renin, Tekturna helps to lower your blood pressure.

losartan

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.

Common Side Effects
aliskiren
  • Diarrhea
losartan
  • Dizziness
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Nasal congestion
  • Back pain
FAERS Reports
aliskiren
  • Weakness 367
  • Fall 356
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 336
  • Shortness of breath 314
  • Headache 301
losartan
  • Tiredness 11,852
  • Diarrhea 9,868
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 9,206
  • Difficulty breathing 8,439
  • Feeling lightheaded 7,999
Serious Warnings
aliskiren

Tekturna can harm your unborn baby, even causing death. If you become pregnant, stop taking Tekturna right away and tell your doctor.

losartan

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.

Pregnancy
aliskiren

Tekturna can cause serious harm or death to an unborn baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Tekturna.

losartan

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.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This aliskiren vs losartan Comparison

aliskiren is classified in the Direct Renin Inhibitor 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, aliskiren has 1,674 submissions while losartan has 47,364. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these two drugs together can over-block the system that controls blood pressure, potentially causing fainting or kidney failure.. 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 aliskiren 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.