Losartan is a medication commonly prescribed to control high blood pressure and protect the kidneys in people with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). These drugs work by relaxing blood vessels, which helps lower blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. It can also be used in people who have had a heart attack or heart failure. (This article was based on the expertise of Dr. Alberto Sanagustín.)
How Losartan Works:
Losartan belongs to a group of medications known as ARBs, which stand for angiotensin II receptor blockers. Think of it this way: Your body naturally produces a substance called angiotensin II. This substance can cause blood vessels to narrow, making it harder for blood to flow and raising blood pressure. Losartan works by blocking the action of angiotensin II. When angiotensin II can’t do its job of narrowing blood vessels, the vessels widen and expand. This makes it easier for blood to circulate, and as a result, lowers blood pressure. It also means your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood around your body.
