Olmesartan to losartan
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Olmesartan vs. Losartan in Hypertension Management
Introduction to Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are a class of medications commonly used to manage hypertension by blocking the effects of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels. Among the ARBs, olmesartan and losartan are frequently compared due to their widespread use and effectiveness.
Antihypertensive Efficacy of Olmesartan Compared to Losartan
Blood Pressure Reduction
Multiple studies have demonstrated that olmesartan is more effective than losartan in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A meta-analysis of 22 studies involving 4,892 patients found that olmesartan provided greater reductions in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared to losartan (DBP: 95% CI 0.59, 2.62; SBP: 95% CI 0.46, 5.92). Another study confirmed that olmesartan at its starting dose was more effective in reducing cuff DBP than losartan, valsartan, and irbesartan.
Comparative Studies
In a randomized, double-blind trial, olmesartan (20 mg) was compared with losartan (50 mg), valsartan (80 mg), and irbesartan (150 mg) in patients with essential hypertension. The study found that olmesartan significantly reduced sitting cuff DBP more than losartan (11.5 mm Hg vs. 8.2 mm Hg). Additionally, olmesartan showed a greater reduction in mean 24-hour DBP compared to losartan (8.5 mm Hg vs. 6.2 mm Hg).
Safety and Tolerability
Adverse Events
Olmesartan and losartan have similar safety profiles, with both drugs being well tolerated by patients. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between olmesartan and other ARBs, including losartan, valsartan, candesartan, and irbesartan. A study examining the association of olmesartan with overall and cause-specific mortality found that olmesartan was associated with a slightly lower overall mortality risk compared to losartan (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88–0.97).
Long-term Safety
Long-term studies have shown that olmesartan does not increase cardiovascular risk compared to losartan. The differences in mortality risk among individual ARBs were marginal, indicating that olmesartan is a safe option for long-term use in hypertensive patients.
Economic Considerations
Cost-Effectiveness
Olmesartan may be more cost-effective than losartan and other ARBs. Economic evaluations suggest that olmesartan has the potential to decrease overall medical costs for patients with hypertension due to its superior blood pressure-lowering efficacy and good safety profile.
Conclusion
In summary, olmesartan demonstrates superior efficacy in reducing blood pressure compared to losartan, with a comparable safety profile. It is well tolerated and may offer economic benefits in the management of hypertension. These findings support the use of olmesartan as a preferred option for patients requiring effective blood pressure control.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic