Can You Take Buspirone with Losartan? Understanding the Combined Effects

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to drug interaction checkers, combining the anxiolytic buspirone with the antihypertensive losartan can produce additive effects that lower blood pressure. For this reason, close medical supervision is required if you are taking these two medications together, as it can increase the risk of symptoms such as dizziness and lightheadedness.

Quick Summary

Taking buspirone and losartan together can increase the risk of hypotension, causing dizziness or fainting. Close medical monitoring is necessary to manage this additive effect, especially during dose changes, to ensure patient safety.

Key Points

Additive Hypotensive Effects: The primary interaction between buspirone and losartan is their combined ability to lower blood pressure, potentially causing it to drop too low.
Risk of Dizziness and Fainting: The additive hypotensive effect increases the risk of side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting, especially when starting the medication or increasing the dose.
Requires Medical Supervision: Taking both medications together necessitates close monitoring by a healthcare provider, who will track your blood pressure to ensure it remains stable.
Positional Precautions: Patients should be cautious when changing positions from sitting or lying down to standing to avoid orthostatic hypotension, which can cause dizziness.
Inform Your Doctor of All Medications: It is crucial to inform your physician about all other drugs and supplements, including over-the-counter options, to avoid other potential interactions.
Avoid Alcohol and Grapefruit Juice: Buspirone can be affected by alcohol (increased sedation) and grapefruit juice (increased buspirone levels), both of which should be avoided or consumed with caution.

What are buspirone and losartan?

To understand the potential interaction, it is important to know the purpose of each medication. Buspirone is an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medication used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Unlike many other anxiety medications, it is not a benzodiazepine and is less sedating. It is believed to work by affecting neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

Losartan, on the other hand, is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It works by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily throughout the body. Losartan is also prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke in certain people and to treat kidney problems caused by diabetes.

The primary drug interaction: Additive hypotensive effects

The main interaction between buspirone and losartan is an additive hypotensive effect. Both medications have the potential to lower blood pressure, and when taken together, their combined effect can cause blood pressure to drop too low. This condition, known as hypotension, is the most significant risk of this drug combination.

Side effects related to this interaction include:

Headache
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Changes in pulse or heart rate

These side effects are most likely to occur at the start of treatment, after a dose increase, or if treatment is restarted after an interruption. Your healthcare provider will likely monitor your blood pressure closely to ensure it remains within a safe range. Patients should be cautious when getting up from a sitting or lying position to avoid dizziness or fainting caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Comparison of buspirone and losartan effects

To better understand the potential for additive effects, here is a comparison of what each medication does and the risks involved when taken together.


Feature	Buspirone (Anxiolytic)	Losartan (Antihypertensive)	Combined Effect (Buspirone + Losartan)
Primary Purpose	Treats Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)	Treats high blood pressure and related conditions	Dual treatment for anxiety and high blood pressure
Main Pharmacological Action	Affects brain neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin) to reduce anxiety	Relaxes blood vessels by blocking angiotensin II receptors	Both actions contribute to a lower overall blood pressure
Common Side Effects	Dizziness, headache, nausea, nervousness	Dizziness, cough, fatigue, low blood pressure	Increased risk of hypotension and related symptoms (e.g., severe dizziness, fainting)
Key Drug Interactions	MAOIs, grapefruit juice, alcohol, CNS depressants, certain antibiotics	NSAIDs, potassium supplements, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, lithium	Additive hypotensive effects, requiring careful monitoring
Safety in Combination	Can be taken together with medical supervision	Can be taken together with medical supervision	Requires caution and monitoring, especially for signs of low blood pressure

How to safely manage co-administration

If your doctor determines that you need to take both buspirone and losartan, managing the combination safely is paramount. Here are some key strategies:

Open Communication: Inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and herbal remedies. Do not stop or change any medication dosage without consulting your doctor first.
Regular Monitoring: Your healthcare provider will likely schedule regular blood pressure checks. This is especially important during the initial weeks of treatment or whenever a dose is changed.
Recognize and Report Symptoms: Be aware of the signs of hypotension. If you experience persistent dizziness, lightheadedness, or heart rate changes, contact your doctor.
Practice Positional Changes: Use caution when transitioning from a sitting or lying position to standing. Change positions slowly to give your body time to adjust and prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Avoid Impairing Activities: Refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery until you are certain how the medications affect you. The combination could impact your reaction time and judgment, especially with buspirone's potential for dizziness.

Other noteworthy interactions with buspirone and losartan

Buspirone interactions

MAOIs: Combining buspirone with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) is contraindicated. It can lead to a dangerous increase in blood pressure.
Grapefruit Juice: Large quantities of grapefruit juice can increase the level of buspirone in your bloodstream, leading to increased side effects.
Alcohol: Combining buspirone with alcohol can intensify sedative effects, leading to excessive drowsiness and impaired motor skills.

Losartan interactions

NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can decrease the effectiveness of losartan and increase the risk of kidney problems.
Potassium Supplements: Losartan can increase potassium levels in the blood, and combining it with potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics can lead to dangerously high levels (hyperkalemia).
Other ARBs/ACE Inhibitors: The dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with losartan and other similar drugs is generally avoided due to increased risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and kidney issues.

Conclusion

While it is possible to take buspirone with losartan, it must be done with careful consideration and under strict medical supervision. The primary concern is the additive hypotensive effect, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure and cause dizziness or fainting. Always inform your healthcare provider of your full medication list, and follow their guidance on dosage and monitoring. By understanding the potential risks and taking appropriate precautions, patients can safely manage this combination and effectively treat both their anxiety and high blood pressure. A comprehensive discussion with your doctor is the most important step in ensuring your safety and well-being.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before taking any medication or making changes to your treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can take buspirone with losartan, but only under the close supervision of a healthcare provider. The main concern is that both medications can lower blood pressure, and taking them together can cause it to drop too low.

Taking buspirone and losartan together can lead to an additive hypotensive effect, meaning your blood pressure may drop more significantly than with either medication alone. This can increase the risk of dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting.

Symptoms of low blood pressure (hypotension) from combining buspirone and losartan can include headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and changes in heart rate. These are more common when first starting the medications or after a dose change.

Your doctor will likely schedule regular appointments to monitor your blood pressure. They will also inquire about any symptoms of dizziness or fainting, particularly during the initial phase of treatment or following dosage adjustments.

Yes, use caution when standing up from a sitting or lying position to prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how the combination affects you. It is also advisable to inform your doctor of all other medications, supplements, and alcohol use.

Buspirone can cause dizziness, which may be related to orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing). Its effect is generally less pronounced than losartan's, but it still contributes to the overall risk when combined.

Buspirone has major interactions with MAOIs and grapefruit juice. Losartan interacts with NSAIDs, potassium supplements, and other blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors. Always provide a complete medication list to your doctor and pharmacist.

Drinking alcohol with buspirone can increase drowsiness and motor skill impairment. While losartan is not known to have a direct interaction with alcohol, both can cause similar side effects like dizziness, so drinking alcohol could increase these risks. It's best to discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.