Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure User Reviews (Page 3)

• Chuck...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2016

Benicar (olmesartan) "I took 20 MG Benicar as an alternative to Lisinopril which caused a cough. With Benicar, the cough went away after a few weeks but a new side effect took its place: I would wake up in the middle of the night with a sore chest and upper back pain. Its a shame because during the day, Benicar had no apparent side effect and kept BP at 128/79."

• Mike...
• July 24, 2016

Benicar (olmesartan) "I give this medicine a 5 because it does lower your blood pressure but unfortunately the side effects are pretty bad. I was diagnosed with hypertension at 25 and before benicar I never had a dizzy spell in my life. Now dizzy spells are just part of life as well as fatigue and breathing issues. It's not all the time but a few times a week I just feel unwell. I think this is a good medicine for an older person who just needs to get the numbers down but it's terrible for a young active person."

• Chuck
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

"My internal medicine Dr. put me on Olmesartan 40 mg and it was working great for my blood pressure. The maker was Accord. I developed restless legs at night so a cardiologist told me to switch to Valsartan 320 mg, It was not working as well as the Olmesartan. (I was drinking a little more than 2 drinks per day. I know that alcohol will and can affect BP. I did not stay on it very long so I really didn't give it a chance) I am back on Olmesartan 40 mg different manufacturer and not drinking. I have ringing in my ears, tinnitus, foggy head and just overall feeling weird, can't really describe it. When that weird feeling comes on I can take a little xanax which makes me feel better. I cannot continue this. Question: has anyone switched from Olmesartan 40 mg to Valsartan 320 mg for similar reasons? Do you feel better?"

• Shant...
• May 12, 2009

Benicar (olmesartan) "I had been using Benicar with good results except an occasional headache and lightheadedness upon getting up quickly. Because of the high price, I asked my doctor to prescribe a cheaper product - Lisinopril. I have only been on it a short time but have experienced so many side effects that I'm asking to go back on Benicar - high cost or not."

• Contr...
• December 6, 2014

Benicar (olmesartan) "Been taking Benicar/HCT for several years now. It is a very effective antihypertensive in this combination. As they say, nothing in life is free. While it does a great job of lowering my blood pressure, I have experienced several bothersome side effects. These include lightheadedness, dizziness and sleepiness. The later may be due to the potent antihypertensive action of the combination. Tried cutting the pill in half, but since it is not scored, really don't know how much medicine I am getting in the split piece."

• maria...
• March 15, 2012

Benicar (olmesartan) "I've been on Benicar/HCT for a couple of months and feel fine on it-no side effects except I had my blood drawn recently and noticed my lipid profile went up drastically from what it usually is (176-222).This is one of the side effects stated. I'm ALSO a cheese fanatic so I'm going to eliminate it for three months, draw my blood again and see what happens. If is stays the same or goes up, obviously its the medication and I'm going to have to try something else because I refuse to go on ANOTHER medication for a NEW problem that was caused by another medication. I hope its the cheese because I'm happy with Benicar."

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2023

"I was put on olmesartan 20mg nearly 4 weeks ago. I started ok, but as the days went on I noticed different side effects. I got chest pain, breathless, tight chest, hard to take deep breaths, can't walk anywhere and my heart rate rose. I did have 2 episodes of Afib on Christmas day 2022 and 5 weeks later which was stress related. I do have other medical conditions. I am overweight but have lost weight on this tablet. I am 50 and my blood pressure was getting high. Hard to do normal everyday tasks. Saturday I woke up and was nauseated, dizzy, vomiting, chest pain, and couldn't eat or drink water. Went to Emergency, they did tests and my heart was fine and they said it is the olmesartan. They said I could just stop them and it's been 72hrs and I'm still nauseated at times, bp is high anywhere from 138/100 to 174/110 if I move around. The reflux is bad, I wee a lot, the ringing in my ears has got worse, had pain and needle feeling in my chest and get sometimes all over. Pain in leg, can't drive, anxiety and depression is extreme. No sex drive."

• BassA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2019

"I started Olmesartan 5 days ago after my losartan/hctz was recalled. I took the drug first thing in the morning. By afternoon, I had a significant feeling of tightness around my upper chest/lower neck area. I woke up during the night with shortness of breath and tightness in my chest. I felt like I couldn’t expand my lungs nor clear the air from them on exhale. I first thought I was having a heart attack, though I had no other symptoms. I immediately sought medical treatment. My heart was fine. I had no other respiratory symptoms such as wheezing or strider which could indicate bronchitis, Asthma, or anaphylactic reaction. When I repeated that I was just started on Olmesartan, the doctor researched it and found that this medication causes bronchospasm as a COMMON side effect. Needless to say, I trashed the bottle. Please make sure you see a doc if you have symptoms like these. Don’t stop your meds, etc."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2008

Benicar (olmesartan) "I have been using this medicine for almost 2 years with no side effects, which I am prone to from drugs, because of multiple organ issues. I take it at night which keeps me from worrying about getting drowsy during the day."

• blue_...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2016

Benicar (olmesartan) "Had active life style was able to do 40-50 min tread mill workout (Run/Walk) and was able to participate in outdoor soccer. Lost gf, grandmother died , horrible boss in new job in 3 month = 189/125 diagnosed accidentally First 20mg (85% effective) , then 40 mg worked Blood pressure: Normal , weight gain 30 pound added Other impacts Cramps while playing soccer. Enhanced sensation of muscle fatigue (post hitting ball) or muscle in body. Next day feel effects. Stopped running / bike- ride rowing ok Flaky Rash on elbows dime size /now double (Use moisturizer / Nivea aftershave on it works). Weight gain depression 3 hours after taking Meds, lazy Potassium sports drink helped muscle recovery feel good (Doctor say don't take potassium"

• LBailey
• July 30, 2011

Benicar (olmesartan) "I started Benicar two weeks ago for extremely high blood pressure 220/105. After two weeks my blood prezssure is now down to 140/80. I do feel much better. More energy. The only complaint I have are the muscle/leg cramps, aches I get every night. Nothing helps. I am on 40mg of Benicar once a day. I will call my doctor and see if there is any solution for the muscle aches. Otherwise I am very happy with the results."

• Renee
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2021

Benicar (olmesartan) "I was put on 20mg of Benicar January 2020. After about 3 months , I started having a chronic choking cough, extreme fatigue, could barely walk a block without feeling fatigued. Rapid heartbeat, dizziness, stomach upset and low body temp. The most troubling side effect was rapid weight gain - 30 lbs in 6 months. Very debilitating year."

• Dr Robb
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2019

"I see some people reporting issues, but not indicating the manufacturer! This is HUGE. As I reported previously, there are SIGNIFICANT difference between manufacturers of the same medication!! I'm currently on 40mg Olmesartan by Alembic Pharms LTD (US) corp for 2 months and although brings the BP down to where it should be, has SIGNIFICANT side effects - that being tired, taking 3 hour naps after work and brain "floating", unable to concentrate properly with pressure like someone squeezing my temples! :O It's basically impossible for me to do my job! I did NOT have these or ANY side effects from REDBROOK (India)-Olmeheal 40mg, so I'm going to find out and get my hands back on this permanently now that I know there is significant differences between manufacturers. Surprised the US manufacturer SUCKS and India is the best! Oh well, gotta use what works and with the least/no side effects. I have to work."

• ACE
• July 14, 2011

Benicar (olmesartan) "Just started this medication, I am 26/M/in fairly good shape, work out 4 to 5 times a week so I don't really know why my blood pressure is high but anyway. Took my 2nd dose yesterday, jogged this morning at the gym and hit "the wall" HARD. Felt short of breath and chest pain. Maybe this will go away once I get used to the medication. PS. taking 20mg."

• Jude
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 3, 2018

"I was put on olmesartan by a fill in doctor 10 years ago. When asked why as my BP was always good. I lost my son so stress was high. Basically I decided as they changed how it is dispensed with the benicar given monthly only and HCT (hydrochlorathiazide) given 90 days. I have been busy after hurricane and had run out of the benicar and I noticed a big difference 2 days later and now 6 days later...my pain and fatigue are waning and swelling is going down. I decided to look up risks by stopping, which was just delaying going in for refill of new BP meds. My doctor had told me a few years ago when I asked if I really needed this his response was it is good to take anyway as we get older. That wasn't a good response anyway. I just turned 61. I have daily stressors but reading the side effects on here ...its me in a nutshell. I'm shocked this medication is so harmful."

• Chuck
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2019

"I was taking Losartan then Valsartan but when both were recalled my Dr. prescribed Olmesartan 40 mg. My BP was great. I was even thinking about decreasing my dosage. I started having restless legs mainly in my calves. I was playing a lot of golf and walking a lot but noticed the pain was every day and disturbing my sleep. I just switched to Valsartan 320 mg, my leg pain is better. I am in pretty good shape and have decided to really get busy with my diet and exercise to see if I can get off BP medicine all together. I just bought the book Plant Paradox by Dr. Gundry and going to give that a try. Anyone else tried Plant Paradox?"

• DocCoop
• April 26, 2015

Benicar (olmesartan) "Noted that many concerned about the price of Benicar. Go on their website and you can get a coupon that will reduce the co-pay on your Benicar to no more than $25 per month assuming you have health insurance."

• BoB
• January 5, 2012

Benicar (olmesartan) "Been on Benicar 40mg for over a year, it keeps my blood pressure down. Only side effect that I am not really sure of, is some more joint pain than usual. But with bad discs in back and neck, who can say for sure? Sad part is, thanks to the cost and loss of job/health insurance, I will have to find something cheaper. "

• Littler...
• August 20, 2015

Benicar (olmesartan) "I was suffering from HB pressure for the last two years ...without Medication ....It got really bad in the last two weeks ,that's when my doctor prescribe me Benicar 20 MG...I have been taking it for three days only and I already fell better. Question???? Is it normal for me to feel so relaxed....I'm 61 years old very active and work out 4 or 5 days a week"

• Kate
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2019

"Had high blood pressure, yes is fixed that but the PAINS in my legs has increased so much I am distraught. I cannot walk 50 yards, stand for more than a minute, sometimes driving is very uncomfortable. I've been to physio, acupuncture, reflexology etc, etc with no improvement or explanation to why I'm so bad. I used to walk a lot for exercise but haven't in the past two years and now it's time to definitely change from this medication. I have to get my life back from all this unbearable pain.."

• Dinky...
• May 3, 2009

Benicar (olmesartan) "Seems to work for everyone but me. Quality of life was seriously affected by the on-going dizziness from this product (20mg). Elevators left me weak-kneed and staggering at work. Daily descending stairs also a vertigo nightmare. Blood pressure can easily go into 214/105s in emergencies, so I would like to find something to reduce those numbers, without the extreme dizziness. I work in a psychiatric setting, so I have to be alert and to move quickly without falling on my face. I didn't notice any appreciable drop in blood pressure either, with numbers still in the 170s most of the time."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2009

Benicar (olmesartan) "Have been using Benicar 20mg for a couple of years now (age 47). Slight dizziness first week after hard exercise in sun (bike riding up steep hill, singles tennis in 85 degree sun). Doctor suggested taking at night before bedtime. Now no problems. Was 140 /95 . Now 122/70 still exercising (tennis, biking) 3-4 days per week without dizziness. Feels like no side effects. Love it."

• Eileen
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2019

"I have been on Olmesartan for about a month now and my blood pressure is doing very well so far. I have absolutely no side effects and seems to have stopped my palpitations !! I’m I’ve read in some reviews it causes them but for some reason helping mine. Anyone else have this happen to them??"

• Anonymous
• November 30, 2011

Benicar (olmesartan) "I've taken my first dose of Benicar (olmesartan medosomil) 40 mg. I have felt some atrial fibrillation. My doctor wants me to try it for two weeks and a follow-up visit in thirty days to treat hypertension 160/110/105. Previously, I was taking diltiazem 240 mg, that was not lowering my blood pressure. Also, my hair started coming out in large amounts when combed, after only two weeks."

• Otis
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2019

"54 year old male. Olmesartan medoxomil 40mg one daily caused muscle cramps in my upper back, lower back pain while standing to the point of having to sit down and dizziness. I stopped taking this med and within four days all of the above problems went away."