Two medicines, side by side
Losartan vs furosemide
Losartan and furosemide are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of losartan since 1995 and of furosemide since 1966. Pharmacies paid $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 mg tablet and $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and furosemide a loop diuretic.
Check it at the source: the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026); the furosemide FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025).
Highlights of the losartan record
Losartan (Cozaar) · label of January 20, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCOZAAR is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children greater than 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 14, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0327 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 77
Highlights of the furosemide record
Furosemide (Lasix) · label of September 30, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsEdema LASIX is indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. LASIX is particularly useful when an agent with greater diuretic potential is desired. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 1, 1966
- Generic labelers
- 52 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.490 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Losartan label of January 20, 2026, Furosemide label of September 30, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do losartan and furosemide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and furosemide a loop diuretic.
Half-life, in each label's words: Losartan, “The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours.”; Furosemide, “The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours.”
Only the losartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: losartan since 2010; furosemide since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Losartan | Furosemide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Loop Diuretic |
| How it works (label) | Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the renin-angiotensin system, and an important component … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours. | The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 14, 1995 | July 1, 1966 |
| First generic approved | April 6, 2010 | September 26, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 52 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) | $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | +2% | +31% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 77 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 200,566 | 398,354 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to losartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions