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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Insomnia A Side Effect Of Losartan?

My BP is low enough now that my cardiologist suggested stopping Losartan 25mg, but continuing the Carvedilol. I stopped almost two weeks ago but began having insomnia about a week ago, discomfort in my legs when sleeping. Is this from stopping Losartan?
Fri, 27 Oct 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for asking this question. The drugs you've been using so far, both are known to cause difficulty in sleeping on long term use. They do this by two different ways:

1. Carvedilol is a Beta Blocker and is known to reduce melatonin secretion at night, which may contribute to a difficulty in falling asleep as well as night awakenings and nightmares. This is not so common though.

2. Losartan is an ARB and tends to decrease your potassium levels (hypokalemia), which may frequently lead to cramps and disurbed sleep due to it.

Since you've now been weaned off Losartan, it may be possible that the carvedilol is responsible for your insomnia.

What worries me though is the discomfort in your legs when sleeping. Perhaps a visit to your physician and discussing potassium disturbance (a blood test can reveal this) would be more helpful.

Hope I have been able to answer your question.

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Is Insomnia A Side Effect Of Losartan?

Hi, Thank you for asking this question. The drugs you ve been using so far, both are known to cause difficulty in sleeping on long term use. They do this by two different ways: 1. Carvedilol is a Beta Blocker and is known to reduce melatonin secretion at night, which may contribute to a difficulty in falling asleep as well as night awakenings and nightmares. This is not so common though. 2. Losartan is an ARB and tends to decrease your potassium levels (hypokalemia), which may frequently lead to cramps and disurbed sleep due to it. Since you ve now been weaned off Losartan, it may be possible that the carvedilol is responsible for your insomnia. What worries me though is the discomfort in your legs when sleeping. Perhaps a visit to your physician and discussing potassium disturbance (a blood test can reveal this) would be more helpful. Hope I have been able to answer your question.