candesartan vs losartan
Side-by-side comparison of candesartan and losartan Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Atacand
Cozaar
Candesartan is a medicine that lowers blood pressure. It can also help treat heart failure.
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.
Candesartan is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children ages 1 to 17. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Candesartan also treats heart failure by reducing the risk of death and hospitalization.
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.
Candesartan blocks a substance in your body that tightens blood vessels. This helps blood vessels relax and widens them. As a result, blood pressure is lowered and the heart can pump blood more easily.
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.
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Back pain
- • Pharyngitis (sore throat)
- • Rhinitis (runny nose)
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Nasal congestion
- • Back pain
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 3,515
- Shortness of breath 3,169
- Tiredness 3,158
- Feeling sick to your stomach 2,989
- Loose stools 2,764
- Tiredness 11,852
- Diarrhea 9,868
- Feeling sick to your stomach 9,206
- The medicine is not working 9,195
- Difficulty breathing 8,439
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, stop taking this medicine right away. Candesartan can harm or cause death to your unborn baby.
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.
Candesartan can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medicine.
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 candesartan vs losartan Comparison
candesartan is classified in the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) drug class, while losartan sits within the Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, candesartan has 15,595 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 candesartan 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.