Is it safe to eat pork while taking losartan, and does losartan contain any pork-derived ingredients or gelatin?

You can generally eat pork while taking losartan, and the brand‑name losartan tablet (Cozaar) does not list pork‑derived ingredients or gelatin in its inactive ingredients. ^{[1] [2]}

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Pork and Losartan: Food Safety and Interactions

• There is no specific interaction between pork and losartan noted in official prescribing information. ^[1]
• Food may slow how fast losartan is absorbed and slightly lower the peak level in the blood, but the overall exposure (AUC) is only minimally affected; no dietary prohibition on meats like pork is listed. ^[1]
• General consumer drug references acknowledge that some medicines can interact with certain foods, alcohol, or tobacco, and recommend checking with a clinician before major diet changes; no pork-specific warning is provided for losartan. ^{[3] [4]}

Bottom line: Pork is not contraindicated with losartan, so most people can include it as part of a balanced diet while on this medication. ^{[1] [3]}

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Does Losartan Contain Pork or Gelatin?

• The U.S. branded product information for Cozaar (losartan potassium) lists these inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose hydrous, pregelatinized starch (corn starch), magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and sometimes carnauba wax. ^{[2] [5]}
• None of the listed excipients are gelatin, and none are identified as pork‑derived. ^{[2] [5]}
• Combination tablets with hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar) have a similar excipient profile without gelatin listed. ^[6]

Important nuance: Formulations can vary by manufacturer and country, especially for generics, so checking your specific product’s package insert or asking your pharmacist is a good idea if you must avoid animal‑derived excipients. ^{[7] [8]}

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What “Pre‑gelatinized Starch” Means

• “Pregelatinized starch” in Cozaar refers to processed corn starch to improve tablet manufacturing; it is not animal gelatin. ^{[9] [8]}

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About Gelatin in Medicines (Context)

• Many oral medicines can contain gelatin from animal sources (commonly bovine or porcine) as capsule shells or excipients, which can conflict with certain dietary or religious preferences; this has been documented in patient preference studies. ^[10]
• This context underscores the value of verifying excipients for the exact product you are dispensed, even though Cozaar’s listed formulation does not include gelatin. ^[10]

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Practical Tips

• If you are avoiding pork for religious, ethical, or allergy reasons, review your specific losartan manufacturer’s ingredient list or ask your pharmacist to confirm no pork‑derived excipients are present. ^{[7] [11]}
• If you are on losartan plus a potassium‑sparing diuretic or potassium supplements, be mindful of high‑potassium foods; while pork is not especially high in potassium compared with some fruits/vegetables, your clinician may give you individualized guidance. ^[12]

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Quick Reference Table

Topic	Evidence from Official Information	What It Means for You
Pork–losartan interaction	No pork-specific restriction; food slightly slows absorption without meaningful effect on exposure	Pork is generally fine with losartan. [1]
Gelatin in Cozaar	Inactive ingredients listed; no gelatin or pork-derived components named	Branded Cozaar tablets do not list gelatin/pork. [2] [5]
Generic variability	Excipients can vary by manufacturer	Check your exact product label or ask a pharmacist. [7] [8]
General food cautions	Some medicines interact with foods; check before big diet changes	No pork warning for losartan specifically. [3] [4]

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Key Takeaways

• Eating pork is generally safe with losartan. No specific interaction is listed in official product information. ^[1]
• Cozaar (brand‑name losartan) tablets do not list gelatin or pork‑derived ingredients. ^{[2] [5]}
• Generic products may differ, so verify your specific tablet’s inactive ingredients if you need to avoid animal‑derived excipients. ^{[7] [8]}