Can I take gabapentin with losartan? A Guide to Understanding the Interaction

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

While gabapentin and losartan are frequently prescribed medications for different conditions, studies in animal models have shown a potential pharmacokinetic interaction. Understanding how these drugs can affect each other is critical for patient safety, especially regarding the question: can I take gabapentin with losartan?

Quick Summary

Combining gabapentin and losartan can increase levels of gabapentin in the body, potentially heightening side effects like dizziness and motor impairment. Dosage adjustments and careful monitoring are advised to manage this medication combination safely.

Key Points

Pharmacokinetic Interaction: Losartan can increase the levels of gabapentin in the body, leading to amplified effects.
Increased CNS Side Effects: The combination can heighten side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired motor coordination.
Medical Supervision is Crucial: Patients should only take these medications together under the close supervision of a healthcare provider who can monitor for adverse effects.
Dosage Adjustment May Be Necessary: Based on patient response, a doctor may need to adjust the dosage of gabapentin to maintain safety and effectiveness.
Consult Your Doctor: Always inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all medications and supplements you are taking to prevent harmful interactions.
Monitor for Falls and Accidents: The increased risk of dizziness and motor impairment means patients should be extra cautious with activities requiring alertness.
Open Communication is Key: Maintaining a complete and updated list of your medications is vital for effective medical management.

Understanding Gabapentin and Losartan

Before delving into their interaction, it's essential to understand what each medication does individually. Both are prescription drugs used to treat very different medical conditions.

What is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain agent, meaning it can be used to treat seizures and nerve pain. It works by calming overactive nerves in the brain and nervous system. It is commonly prescribed for conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and epilepsy. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, and fatigue.

What is Losartan?

Losartan is an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with high blood pressure and an enlarged heart. Losartan works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. Common side effects include dizziness, fatigue, and low blood pressure.

The Pharmacokinetic Interaction Between Gabapentin and Losartan

Research indicates a specific pharmacokinetic interaction between gabapentin and losartan, meaning the drugs' effects on each other relate to how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes them. Experimental studies involving animal models have demonstrated that losartan can increase the concentration of gabapentin in the plasma and brain. This can enhance the anticonvulsant effects of gabapentin, but it also elevates the risk of gabapentin's side effects.

Risks of Combining the Medications

The primary risk associated with combining gabapentin and losartan is an increase in central nervous system side effects. Since both medications can cause dizziness and drowsiness on their own, taking them together can amplify these effects, potentially increasing the risk of falls and accidents. Motor impairment has also been observed in experimental models when the two drugs were administered together.

Comparison of Gabapentin and Losartan

To better understand the two medications and their potential combined effects, here is a comparison of their primary characteristics:


Feature	Gabapentin	Losartan
Drug Class	Anticonvulsant, Nerve Pain Agent	Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)
Primary Use	Neuropathic pain, epilepsy	High blood pressure, heart failure
Common Side Effects	Dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, fatigue	Dizziness, fatigue, low blood pressure
Drug Interaction Risk	Potential for increased side effects with losartan due to higher plasma concentrations	Minimal effect on losartan, but can lead to increased gabapentin side effects
Interaction Mechanism	Pharmacokinetic (Losartan can increase gabapentin levels)	Not applicable (Impacts gabapentin, not vice versa)

Managing the Combination Safely

Patients on both medications should be under careful medical supervision to monitor for any increased side effects. Here are some strategies for safely managing this combination:

Open Communication: Always inform your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking. This allows them to assess potential risks and make informed decisions about your treatment plan.
Regular Monitoring: Your doctor may want to monitor your symptoms more closely when you start or change dosages of either medication. They will assess for increased drowsiness, dizziness, or any changes in motor coordination.
Dosage Adjustments: Based on your individual response, your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of gabapentin to minimize side effects while maintaining its therapeutic effects.
Timing of Doses: Discuss with your doctor whether it's beneficial to take the medications at different times of the day to reduce the risk of overlapping peak effects, though the interaction is more systemic.
Avoid Driving or Heavy Machinery: Especially when starting the medication or after a dosage change, you should be aware of the increased risk of drowsiness and motor impairment. Avoid activities that require mental alertness until you know how the combination affects you.
Watch for Signs of Overdose: Increased drug levels can increase the risk of an overdose. Be aware of symptoms such as severe dizziness, fainting, or unusual weakness, and report them to your doctor immediately.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is possible to be prescribed and safely take gabapentin with losartan under medical supervision, the potential for drug interaction exists. Losartan can increase the concentration of gabapentin in the body, which can heighten side effects like dizziness and motor impairment. To minimize risk, patients must maintain open communication with their healthcare providers, who can make necessary dosage adjustments and recommend close monitoring. This proactive approach ensures the safety and efficacy of the treatment plan, allowing patients to manage both conditions effectively without unnecessary adverse effects. The key to safely managing this medication combination lies in informed and diligent medical oversight. Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Navigating Your Medications Safely

Review all medications: Provide a complete list of all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements to your doctor and pharmacist.
Report side effects immediately: Promptly notify your healthcare provider of any increased dizziness, drowsiness, or difficulty with coordination.
Understand dosage instructions: Clarify the timing and frequency for each medication and follow them precisely.
Avoid self-adjusting doses: Never increase or decrease your medication dosage without first consulting your doctor.
Use caution with activities: Be aware of how the combined medications affect your coordination and alertness, especially when driving or operating machinery.
Have a comprehensive health record: Keep an updated record of your medical conditions and current medications to share with all healthcare providers involved in your care.

Expert Oversight for Your Well-being

The interaction between gabapentin and losartan highlights the importance of thorough medical review, especially for patients taking multiple prescriptions. A study in the European Journal of Pharmacology detailing the pharmacokinetic interaction in animal models provides valuable insight into this potential risk. Relying on your healthcare team to manage your treatment plan is the most effective strategy for ensuring your well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can take losartan and gabapentin together, but only if your doctor has prescribed them together and is monitoring you closely. A known pharmacokinetic interaction means losartan can increase gabapentin levels, potentially heightening side effects like dizziness and drowsiness.

The primary risks include an increased chance of central nervous system side effects such as enhanced dizziness, drowsiness, and motor impairment. Close monitoring and potential dosage adjustments by a doctor are needed to mitigate these risks.

The interaction is more focused on losartan affecting gabapentin's concentration. Losartan can increase the plasma concentration of gabapentin, which might enhance its anticonvulsant activity but also increases the potential for adverse effects.

While the pharmacokinetic interaction is systemic, discussing the timing of doses with your doctor is advisable. They may recommend spacing out doses to potentially minimize overlapping side effects, especially during the initial phase of treatment.

The most common side effects are increased dizziness, drowsiness, and potential motor impairment. Because both drugs can cause these side effects individually, the combination may amplify them.

Patients who are older, have a history of falls, or have other conditions that affect motor coordination should be extra cautious. The enhanced risk of dizziness and impaired coordination can increase the risk of falls and accidents.

Losartan is a blood pressure medication, and low blood pressure (hypotension) is a known side effect. While the interaction with gabapentin primarily affects gabapentin levels, your blood pressure should be regularly monitored as part of managing losartan.