Exploring the Link: Does Losartan Affect Your Nerves?

October 13, 2025 •

5 min read

Losartan is a widely prescribed medication for high blood pressure, and while its primary effects target the cardiovascular system, some patients report neurological symptoms. In fact, reports have mentioned potential side effects like dizziness and paresthesia, raising questions about whether losartan affects your nerves.

Quick Summary

Losartan can cause nervous system side effects like dizziness, headache, and tingling sensations. Emerging research also suggests it may have therapeutic benefits for specific neuropathic pain conditions by reducing neuroinflammation.

Key Points

Potential for Side Effects: Losartan can cause nervous system side effects such as dizziness, headache, fatigue, and less commonly, paresthesia (tingling sensations).
Rare but Serious Reactions: Very rarely, serious neurological issues like tremors, vertigo, or peripheral neuropathy have been reported, although these are not common occurrences.
Promising Research on Neuroprotection: Animal studies suggest that losartan has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, with potential therapeutic benefits for neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation.
Mechanism Beyond Blood Pressure: Losartan's effect on nerves is related to its blockade of angiotensin II receptors, which are also found in the nervous system, modulating sympathetic nerve activity and inflammation.
Potential for Neuropathic Pain Treatment: Research is exploring losartan as a novel treatment for conditions like diabetic neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
Consult a Doctor: Patients who experience unusual or persistent nerve-related symptoms should consult their healthcare provider to assess the cause and determine the best course of action.

Losartan is an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and protect the kidneys in people with diabetes. By blocking the effects of a hormone called angiotensin II, losartan helps relax blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure. However, the effects of angiotensin II and its receptors are not limited to blood vessels. They also influence the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to a complex relationship between losartan and nerve function.

Reported Nervous System Side Effects of Losartan

While most people tolerate losartan well, a small percentage may experience nervous system-related side effects. These effects can range from mild and common to rare but potentially serious.

Common Neurological Side Effects

Dizziness and Lightheadedness: This is one of the most frequently reported side effects and often occurs as the body adjusts to the medication's blood pressure-lowering effect. Dizziness is more likely after the first few doses or if the dose is increased.
Headache: Headaches are also a relatively common side effect experienced by a small percentage of users.
Fatigue: Generalized tiredness or weakness can be a side effect, which may be related to changes in blood pressure or other systemic effects.

Less Common and Rare Neurological Side Effects

Paresthesia (Tingling sensations): Some patients have reported paresthesia, which is a sensation of tingling, burning, or numbness, often described as “pins and needles”. This can occur in the hands, feet, or lips.
Peripheral Neuropathy: A very rare side effect mentioned in post-marketing reports is peripheral neuropathy. This involves damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, and it can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet. However, this association is not definitively established in human clinical trials.
Vertigo: A feeling of spinning or constant movement of oneself or surroundings has also been reported.
Tremors and Dysarthria: An isolated case report detailed an incident where a patient experienced tremors and slurred speech (dysarthria) after taking losartan. The symptoms resolved after discontinuing the medication, but this remains an extremely rare observation.
Nervousness/Anxiety: Feelings of nervousness or anxiety have been listed among the less common psychiatric side effects.

How Losartan Might Affect Nerves: The Mechanisms

The impact of losartan on the nervous system goes beyond just reducing blood pressure. The angiotensin II system plays a role in nerve function, and blocking its receptor (AT1R) can have downstream effects on neural pathways.

Modulating Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) Activity: Losartan has been shown to inhibit both central and peripheral sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in animal models of hypertension. The SNS is responsible for the body's 'fight-or-flight' response, and its overactivity can contribute to high blood pressure. By dampening this activity, losartan helps lower blood pressure but may also contribute to neurological symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness.
Anti-inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects: Some of the most promising research on losartan's interaction with nerves highlights its potential neuroprotective properties. This is mediated through its anti-inflammatory effects. Studies, primarily in animal models, have shown that losartan can:
- Attenuate neuroinflammation in the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- Reduce neuropathic pain caused by conditions like chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
- Inhibit inflammatory cytokines that contribute to nerve damage.
Influence on Brain Angiotensin: The brain has its own renin-angiotensin system, and losartan's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and block AT1 receptors here may impact cognitive processes and emotional states. Research has explored losartan's potential benefits for stress-induced anxiety and memory deficits, showing a modulatory effect on stress-related behaviors.

Comparing Losartan's Effects on Nerves

Losartan's influence on the nervous system can be viewed from two different perspectives: the potential for adverse side effects versus its potential therapeutic benefits for certain nerve-related pathologies. Here is a comparison of these contrasting effects.


Feature	Potential Adverse Neurological Effects	Potential Therapeutic Neurological Benefits
Mechanism	Indirect effect of blood pressure reduction (dizziness) or rare, poorly understood drug interaction with neurological pathways.	Direct anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective action, inhibition of neuroinflammation.
Symptom Type	Dizziness, headache, tingling sensations (paresthesia), vertigo, nervousness.	Reduction in neuropathic pain (allodynia, hyperalgesia), potential improvement in cognitive function.
Typical Occurrence	Can occur early in treatment, often mild and resolves over time. Very rare instances of more serious issues.	Demonstrated primarily in preclinical (animal) models, with emerging research in human conditions like diabetic neuropathy.
Prevalence	Low, affecting a small percentage of users.	Not yet a standard therapeutic application for nerve conditions, but an area of ongoing research.

Therapeutic Potential for Neuropathic Pain

While losartan can occasionally cause neurological side effects, its potential as a treatment for neuropathic pain is an active area of research. Neuropathic pain, which arises from nerve damage, is notoriously difficult to treat. Losartan's observed ability to reduce inflammation and modulate nerve function in animal studies makes it an interesting candidate.

For instance, studies on diabetic neuropathy in rats have shown that losartan can reduce signs of nerve damage, potentially by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation. Similarly, preclinical research on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) has demonstrated that losartan can attenuate mechanical allodynia (pain from non-painful stimuli) and reduce pro-inflammatory markers in the spinal cord. These neuroprotective effects are distinct from its blood pressure-lowering action, suggesting a direct impact on nervous system health.

Potential benefits of losartan for nerve health research

Reduced Neuroinflammation: Losartan's ability to suppress inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and CCL2 in nerve tissue could protect against nerve damage.
Analgesic Effects: In animal models, losartan has shown promise in reducing nerve-related pain, including thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia.
Improved Microcirculation: In conditions like diabetic neuropathy, losartan might improve blood flow to small vessels supplying the nerves, which can protect against damage.
Enhanced Neuroprotection: The drug's modulation of inflammatory and metabolic pathways suggests broader neuroprotective potential beyond pain relief.

Conclusion

So, does losartan affect your nerves? The answer is multifaceted. Losartan can cause nervous system-related side effects, with dizziness and headache being the most common. Other effects like paresthesia and nervousness are less common, and more severe neurological issues are extremely rare. However, recent and compelling research, primarily from animal studies, has revealed a potentially positive effect, suggesting losartan has neuroprotective properties. It appears to mitigate neuroinflammation and reduce neuropathic pain in specific models of nerve damage. While more clinical research is needed to confirm these therapeutic benefits in humans, the dual nature of losartan's interaction with the nervous system is a significant area of pharmacological study. Patients experiencing any unusual nerve-related symptoms while taking losartan should consult their healthcare provider to determine the appropriate course of action.

Losartan Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term - Drugs.com

What to Do If You Experience Nerve-Related Side Effects

If you are taking losartan and experience any neurological symptoms, it is important to communicate with your doctor. They can help you determine if the symptoms are related to the medication or another condition and can decide on the best course of action. Do not stop or change your medication dosage without consulting a healthcare professional.

Monitor your symptoms: Keep a record of your symptoms, including what they feel like, when they occur, and how long they last.
Rule out other causes: Your doctor may want to investigate other potential causes for your symptoms, such as electrolyte imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions.
Dosage adjustment: In some cases, adjusting the dosage may alleviate side effects.
Alternative medication: If side effects are persistent or severe, your doctor may recommend switching to a different class of medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some patients have reported experiencing paresthesia, a sensation of tingling or "pins and needles," in their hands, feet, or lips as a side effect of losartan.

While it can cause side effects like tingling, research in animal models suggests losartan may have therapeutic benefits for neuropathic pain by reducing neuroinflammation. However, this is still an area of study and not a standard use.

Dizziness is a common side effect, especially when starting the medication. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down immediately to prevent falls. If dizziness is persistent or severe, contact your doctor as a dosage adjustment may be needed.

Peripheral neuropathy has been reported as a very rare side effect in post-marketing reports. The connection has not been robustly established in widespread human clinical data, but any persistent symptoms of nerve damage should be discussed with a doctor.

Feelings of nervousness or anxiety are among the less common psychiatric side effects that have been reported with losartan. Some research also suggests losartan can modulate anxiety-like behaviors through its effects on the brain's angiotensin system.

Losartan lowers blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II in blood vessels. Its effect on nerves is a separate mechanism, involving the same blocking action on angiotensin II receptors that are also present in the central and peripheral nervous systems, influencing inflammation and nerve function.

Yes, there is ongoing research into losartan's potential to treat diabetic neuropathy. Studies in animal models have shown promising results, indicating it might help alleviate nerve damage associated with diabetes.