Two medicines, side by side
Losartan vs hydrochlorothiazide
Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of losartan since 1995 and of hydrochlorothiazide since 1959. Pharmacies paid $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 mg tablet and $0.0115 per hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Hydrochlorothiazide's other strengths are brand-only: $4.46 per mL (Inzirqo 10 mg/mL oral suspension). In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and hydrochlorothiazide a thiazide diuretic.
Check it at the source: the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026); the hydrochlorothiazide FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 12, 2026).
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 hydrochlorothiazide record
Hydrochlorothiazide (Inzirqo) · label of June 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsHydrochlorothiazide tablets USP are indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. Hydrochlorothiazide tablets USP have also been found useful in edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 12, 1959
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0115 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Losartan label of January 20, 2026, Hydrochlorothiazide label of June 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do losartan and hydrochlorothiazide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and hydrochlorothiazide a thiazide 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.”; Hydrochlorothiazide, “When plasma levels have been followed for at least 24 hours, the plasma half-life has been observed to vary between 5.6 …”
Only the losartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: losartan since 2010; hydrochlorothiazide since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Losartan | Hydrochlorothiazide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Thiazide 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. | When plasma levels have been followed for at least 24 hours, the plasma half-life has been observed to vary between 5.6 and 14.8 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 14, 1995 | February 12, 1959 |
| First generic approved | April 6, 2010 | January 12, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) | $0.0115 per tablet (Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +2% | -7% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 77 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 200,566 | 144,413 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Losartan label, drug interactionsDrug Interactions No clinically significant drug interactions have been found in studies of losartan potassium with hydrochlorothiazide, digoxin, warfarin, cimetidine and phenobarbital.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to losartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions