Cozaar Alternatives

Cozaar is Merck's brand name for losartan potassium, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) that is primarily prescribed to reduce high blood pressure. ARBs work by interfering with the ability of the body chemical angiotensin to compress blood vessels. There are several other ARBs that work in the same way as Cozaar, but may have slightly different side effects or be tolerated better by some patients.

Hyzaar

• Hyzaar is another blood pressure medication from Merck, combining an ARB (losartan potassium) with a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). Since diuretics (water pills) are typically prescribed along with ARBs to treat high blood pressure, Hyzaar provides patients with the convenience of taking both medications in a single pill.

Atacand

• Atacand is AstraZenica's brand of candesartan, another ARB. AstraZenica claims that Atacand is more effective in lowering blood pressure than losartan. The 8 mg Atacand pills are also much smaller and easier to swallow than losartan, which is typically prescribed in 50-mg tablets.

Diovan

• Diovan is an ARB from Novartis, and its principal ingredient is valsartan. Studies compiled by Barreras and Gurk-Turner have indicated that valsartan does a better job of lowering blood pressure than losartan, and is far less likely to produce respiratory and central nervous system side effects. Unlike most other ARBs, the effectiveness of valsartan can be diminished by consuming certain foods.

Avapro

• Avapro is Bristol-Myers Squibb's formulation of the ARB irbesartan. Irbesartan has a very high bioavailability (70 percent) as compared to other ARBs, meaning that more of it is used by the body. The incidence of side effects is comparable to losartan, but studies compiled by Barreras and Gurk-Turner suggest it may not be as effective at controlling high blood pressure as losartan.