Lorista 50 mg and 100 mg film-coated tablets – losartan for high blood pressure, kidney protection and heart failure

Lorista is a medicine containing losartan potassium, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (sartan). Losartan prevents angiotensin II from narrowing the blood vessels, so they relax and blood pressure falls; it also slows the decline of kidney function in people with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

It comes as 50 mg and 100 mg film-coated tablets, 28 tablets per pack.

What is Lorista used for and how should it be taken correctly?

Basic information about the medicine

What is Lorista used for?

According to the leaflet, Lorista is used:

• to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years;
• to protect kidney function in patients with high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes with laboratory-confirmed proteinuria ≥0.5 g per day;
• in chronic heart failure when the doctor considers an ACE inhibitor unsuitable (patients well controlled on an ACE inhibitor should not switch to losartan);
• in high blood pressure with thickening of the left ventricular wall, to reduce the risk of stroke.

How is Lorista used and dosed?

• High blood pressure (adults): usually 50 mg once daily; the maximum effect is expected after 3–6 weeks, and in some patients the dose is increased to 100 mg once daily.
• High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes: start with 50 mg once daily, if needed 100 mg once daily, together with other blood pressure and diabetes medicines.
• Heart failure: start with 12.5 mg once daily, increasing weekly (12.5 – 25 – 50 – 100 – 150 mg) to the maintenance dose; maximum 150 mg once daily. A 12.5 mg dose is not possible with the 50 mg and 100 mg tablets – suitable strengths are used.
• Swallow the tablet whole with enough water, every day at about the same time, with or without food.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents 6–18 years: for 20–50 kg body weight the recommended starting dose is 0.7 mg/kg once daily (up to 25 mg); above 50 kg usually 50 mg, maximum 100 mg daily; not recommended in children under 6 or children with kidney or liver disease.
• Over 75 years, impaired liver function, high-dose diuretics: the doctor may advise lower doses, especially at the start; severe liver impairment is a contraindication.
• Impaired kidney function: the doctor regularly checks kidney function and potassium.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to losartan potassium or excipients;
• pregnancy beyond 3 months;
• severe liver impairment;
• diabetes or impaired kidney function together with aliskiren.

Precautions and warnings

• previous angioedema;
• severe vomiting or diarrhoea, diuretic use or a low-salt diet (loss of fluid and salt);
• narrowing of the kidney blood vessels or recent kidney transplant;
• impaired liver function, heart failure, severe arrhythmias, heart valve or heart muscle disease, coronary or cerebrovascular disease;
• primary hyperaldosteronism;
• concomitant ACE inhibitors or aliskiren – monitoring of kidneys, blood pressure and potassium.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

• potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, triamterene, spironolactone), heparin, trimethoprim – combination not recommended;
• other blood pressure medicines, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, baclofen, amifostine – additional fall in blood pressure;
• NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors – weaker effect and possible worsening of kidney function;
• ACE inhibitors and aliskiren;
• lithium – only under close medical supervision.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Pregnancy: not recommended in early pregnancy and must not be used after the third month; the doctor will prescribe another medicine.
• Breastfeeding: not recommended, especially for newborn and premature babies.

Driving and using machines

• The medicine is unlikely to affect driving, but in some people it may cause dizziness or light-headedness – do not drive if affected.

Possible side effects

• Common: dizziness, light-headedness, low blood pressure (including on standing), weakness, tiredness, low blood sugar, raised potassium, changes in kidney function, anaemia;
• Uncommon: drowsiness, headache, sleep disorders, palpitations, angina, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, hives, itching, rash, swelling, cough;
• Rare: hypersensitivity and angioedema, vasculitis, tingling, fainting, atrial fibrillation, stroke, hepatitis, raised ALT;
• Frequency not known: low platelet count, migraine, muscle and joint pain, flu-like symptoms, photosensitivity, rhabdomyolysis, impotence, pancreatitis, low sodium, depression, tinnitus, taste disturbance.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: contact a doctor immediately; symptoms are low blood pressure and fast, possibly also slow, heart rate.
• Missed dose: take the next dose at the usual time; do not take a double dose.
• Stopping: do not stop without consulting your doctor, even if you feel well.

Related information

Combinations of losartan with hydrochlorothiazide (Lorista H, Lorista HD) have separate information pages. For additional care and support with high blood pressure, see also the category Blood pressure monitors – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed to you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: losartan potassium 50 mg or 100 mg per film-coated tablet.
• Excipients (50 mg): cellactose (lactose monohydrate; powdered cellulose); pregelatinised starch; maize starch; microcrystalline cellulose; colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; coating: hypromellose, talc, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide. Contains lactose.
• Appearance (50 mg): round biconvex white film-coated tablets with a score line.
• Pack: 2 blisters of 14 film-coated tablets (28 tablets).
• Marketing authorisation holder: KRKA-Farma d.o.o. Belgrade. Manufacturer: KRKA d.d., Novo Mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, Slovenia.
• Authorisation numbers: 50 mg – 515-01-00146-20-002 of 11.01.2021; 100 mg – 000457360 2023 of 07.10.2024.

Storage

• Lorista 50 mg: store below 30 °C in the original package to protect from moisture.
• Lorista 100 mg: no special storage conditions are required.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lorista take to lower blood pressure?

According to the leaflet, the maximum blood pressure-lowering effect can be expected 3 to 6 weeks after starting treatment.

Does Lorista cause a cough like ACE inhibitors?

Cough is an uncommon side effect of losartan; the SmPC states that in heart failure losartan is used when an ACE inhibitor is unsuitable, particularly because of cough. Any change of treatment is always decided by the doctor.

Can I take Lorista with food?

Yes, it can be taken with or without food, ideally every day at about the same time.

Can Lorista be used in children?

Yes, in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 with high blood pressure, at a weight-based dose set by the doctor; it is not recommended in children under 6.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient information leaflet Lorista 50 mg (PIL)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Lorista 50 mg (SmPC)
• ALIMS – Patient information leaflet Lorista 100 mg (PIL)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Lorista 100 mg (SmPC)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.