Irbesartan for High Blood Pressure User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ms B
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2019

Avapro (irbesartan) "I started taking this drug, Avapro, because the losartan I had been taking was being recalled by the FDA. I took 300 mg once a day. I had been taking it for about 12 days before I began to show an allergic reaction to it. At first, there was a small blister on my ankle, but by the third day, this blister was spreading over my ankle and was hot and itchy. I immediately went to my PCP thinking it might be shingles. Since my PCP was not sure it wasn't shingles, that's what I was treated for. However, after a week of taking the prescribed drugs, I had gotten much worse. The rash was now moving up my legs and over my buttocks, and it was so painful it was intolerable at times. To make a very long story short, I ended up in the ER twice and finally was able to find relief after one of the top dermatologists in the area was able to identify, through a biopsy, that Avapro was the culprit since it was the only thing that had changed in my routine before the rash started."

• BeBob
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2018

"I've been on 150 mg for about two months now, since valsartan was recalled. Immediately, I experienced a nasty metallic taste/smell in my mouth and sinuses. It is also in my excrement. It doesn't go away, and it's very annoying and getting worse. I've also noticed increased irritability and I'm quick to make an unwanted comment! Night sweats are common all of a sudden. My BP is good: 120's/80, but it was good before with the valsartan. I'm a 68-year-old male in pretty good shape physically, not overweight, and very active. I'm going to call my cardiologist after Labor Day. Not happy with this."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 12, 2012

Avapro (irbesartan) "I am a 33-year-old who has experienced high blood pressure ever since starting work after graduating from University. I also have a Thyroid condition and always just assumed this was the entire cause of my tingling in the hands & feet and constant issues with tiredness. The tingling sensation predates the Avapro, but the ongoing issue with tiredness could also be attributed to the Avapro. I have been on Avapro for the last ten years. I am off Avapro now as my blood pressure is now normal."

• judie...
• December 12, 2009

Avapro (irbesartan) "After 1.5 years of taking 150 mg of Avapro to control my blood pressure, I realized that what started out as fatigue developed into my becoming almost non-functional shortly after taking it... feeling totally exhausted, sleepy, and poor balance issues. Didn't control pressure well either."

• Tigress
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2019

"Horrible medication! Started out with a couple of hives and pain in the left upper shoulder. Turned to flu-like symptoms. Fever, chills so bad that my teeth were chattering and I had to wear a coat indoors! Then, to add insult to injury, burning prickling pain in lower legs so bad it drove me crazy! Hurt so bad! Now the hives are widespread, neck and shoulders ache along with basically my entire body feeling like it’s shutting down, but the stinging pain in my legs lets me know real fast that’s not happening! OUCH! I stopped taking it! Hopefully, I can get some resolution because my B/P is out of whack just like this medicine is! Never again!"

• Despe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 24, 2018

"I am so glad I found this site. I have been on irbesartan for several years and have had a dry cough, sweating, tiredness, increased urination, trouble sleeping, sometimes shortness of breath, muscle cramps, and general lack of interest in things. After reading these reviews, I feel sure that these symptoms must be down to the irbesartan. My doctor put me on to this drug because strokes are in my family. I'm going to stop taking the tablets whilst monitoring my blood pressure."

• Cumul...
• October 14, 2011

Avapro (irbesartan) "I was switched to Avapro from Micardis two or three years ago because of cumulative side effects from the latter, including recurring bronchitis and mineral imbalance. Apparently, cumulative side effects have occurred again. I have now developed something like a chronic sinus infection, one doctor said my tonsils have grown back and are infected, and I have suffered from recurring infections in the tear duct of my eye. I have noticed other changes too, though I'm not sure how many of these may be related to the medication, thus the '5' rating: I have gradually become an unmotivated and disinterested person, a great change for me. I hope the next hypertensive medication will have fewer side effects."

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2018

"This medicine is garbage. I had been taking 300 mg for 1 month, made in China. Side effects are affecting my lower bones in my back, and I am having a hard time walking. Yes, I got scared due to the recall on valsartan. But some brands are not recalled and are okay (you can access the list on drugs.com if you type in 'valsartan recall' and scroll down). I took myself off of irbesartan and went back to valsartan. For me, irbesartan is a terrible medicine and left me a mess, and I am now under a doc to try and walk again."

• Anonymous
• May 22, 2011

Avapro (irbesartan) "I have been taking 75mg/day of Avapro for 2 months. It has been effective at lowering my blood pressure to 130/80 in the morning and 120/70 in the evening. The only side effect I have noticed is some mild, occasional heartburn. I had been on Atacand for several years before, I had to stop it because of dizziness. Then I was given Lisinopril, it made me cough and destroyed all sexual interest. I much prefer Avapro, it is more effective than the others and has milder side effects - for me."

• EarlJ...
• December 23, 2007

Avapro (irbesartan) "I have been taking 150mg Avapro for 3 months, and the doctor is raising the dosage to 300mg. Since starting this medication, I do experience more than usual tiredness and muscle ache, especially in the neck and shoulders. It has lowered my blood pressure, sometimes too low in the 80/45 range."

• Anonymous
• November 30, 2009

Avapro (irbesartan) "I have been taking Avapro for 5 years and I don't like it so am looking for another drug. My GP thinks if the side effects are bearable, don't change anything. I don't like the dizziness, cold feet, dry throat, and tiredness it produces. It has also depleted my potassium levels and I wonder if the arrhythmias I have been having are related to prolonged use."

• johns...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 28, 2016

"Severe rash over most of my body (especially legs and arms). After biopsy (8 months later) I stopped the med and the lesion stopped but not until the damage was done. I believed the doctor knew it was the medicine but would not acknowledge such. The first month of starting meds I got sick. The second month really sick. Though it was the flu with a bad constant cough. I thought both of my legs were going to be amputated. I thought I was going to die. Never in my life have I experienced such heartache and shame. Worst medicine I have ever experienced. The Avapro (name brand) did not affect me at all, but the generic, absolutely terrible."

• Marky...
• June 10, 2010

Avapro (irbesartan) "I have been on Avapro for about a week and do not really have any noticeable side effects. Beta blockers are much worse for making you tired. Avapro seems to have helped my blood pressure a little, but not as much as my beta blockers. The only thing I noticed is a dry cough, but I am not sure if that is the Avapro or allergies. I take 100 mg of CoQ10 once a day, and that has helped with the side effects of the beta blockers, and it may be helping me not see side effects of Avapro. For anyone who feels fatigue and takes blood pressure medication, try CoQ10, it's got low risk for side effects and tends to help bring back energy levels that are partially caused by depleted CoQ10 when you take blood pressure medication."

• Dave...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2018

"Been taking this med since the Valsartan recall. Have had bouts with insomnia and anxiety. Does okay with improving BP, but the side effects are not worth it. Dr. prescribed a mild sedative, but I just want to be off of this med...and get normal sleep again."

• Mara
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2018

"Drug was great at first. Only side effects experienced were dizziness and strange dreams. However, after a few weeks on this, I found myself very irritable and having a lack of impulse control with what I would say and my eating habits."

• Toni...
• March 9, 2010

Avapro (irbesartan) "I've been taking 150mg samples for almost 2 weeks. The medication (Avapro) increased my tiredness levels, which are quite high with fibromyalgia and Sjogren's day-to-day. Normal anxiety is heightened as well and is almost unbearable in its severity. I am experiencing no lessening in my blood pressure readings. I plan to discuss this medication with my PCP during my scheduled follow-up visit. It's quite expensive too."

• Shenry
• November 3, 2017

"I am a 44-year-old female with inherited HBP. Due to having gout, they put me on this in February 2017 and had just a tad of dizziness until August when they changed manufacturers. The correlation didn't happen until last night, unfortunately, so I have been dealing with this since late August. My old knee (ACL) injury swelled up to the point where I struggle to bend or straighten it completely, my hips ache, hamstrings feel tight, muscles in my armpits feel like I weight-lifted all day, shoulder joints ache so bad - I feel like I have the flu! It seems to be worse at night, and I wake up whenever I move - taking Advil, which helps a bit. Also experiencing some depression (due to the constant pain and effect on my life in general)."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2008

Avapro (irbesartan) "I have been taking Avapro 150 mg for 4 years now and it has been wonderful. My blood pressure has been in the normal range almost since I started taking it. I did reduce my salt intake and recently lost 15 pounds. I am making lifestyle changes. I'm now walking about 4 miles a day for 4 to 5 days of the week. Avapro helped me get on track to a healthy lifestyle. Oh, and I just turned 60."

• Maz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2018

Avapro (irbesartan) "I was prescribed Avapro by a neurologist this month for consistent mild high blood pressure and numbness in hands and left foot. Also, an MRI, which I had today, to exclude cervical stenosis. I am already MTHFR genetic mutation that depletes vitamin B12, folate, vitamin B6. I have had increasing numbness in my left hand on waking and general weakness and strength. Since taking Avapro, symptoms have gotten worse. I am tired with depleted energy, nauseated, aching hips, disturbed sleep even with a sleep apnea machine. Just saw my doctor who suggested taking Avapro in the evening as that’s when my BP is the highest."

• Better...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2018

"Just switched to calcium channel blocker type meds over this type. Valsartan (now recalled) and irbesartan both caused weird nausea issues (mostly exertion-induced - couldn't exercise in any way without feeling nauseous) and general malaise after about 2 months of use. Lightheadedness kicked in at about 4-5 months, and started to get significantly worse after about 1-2 weeks of manifestation."

• Susie...
• September 24, 2016

"This drug was taken for twenty years. It caused severe peripheral neuropathy diagnosed for two years before my own research revealed that the peripheral neuropathy was caused by Avapro. Since stopping the drug, peripheral neuropathy in hands, arms, and face has dissipated but seems to be permanent in the feet."

• steve...
• June 14, 2010

Avapro (irbesartan) "I have been on Avapro 150mg for about 8 years and I love it. My blood pressure is always good and usually 110/72 so it works. I was on calcium channel blockers before and they did not control my hypertension. From day 1, Avapro worked with no side effects. I have recommended it to others who had problems and when their doctor switched them to Avapro, their blood pressure is now controlled. I love this."

• RoyR
• October 7, 2016

"Yes, my BP went down a little, but the side effects were so dreadful I had no choice but to give this drug up after 4 wks. Almost immediately, I began to feel lethargic, and within days, despite also making me feel bloated, I lost my appetite, and the reflux set in big time. Eventually, my urine turned a dark yellow, I often felt light-headed on getting up, and my energy levels dropped so low that I could barely put one foot in front of the other on a trip to the city (I can normally walk/jog 3 miles for exercise). I came off them 3 days ago, and my energy levels are nearly back to normal, but, because my liver was having difficulty processing the drug, its bilirubin levels remain off the scale (nearly 10 times the norm), and I now have jaundice."

• Mabel
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2021

"I was on low dose Avapro for 8 months. I developed muscle pain, joint stiffness and a swollen lower left leg. I started to wean off some of my medications to see what the culprit was but my BP went high. After an admission to hospital they commenced lisinopril and felt great until or the cough with severe choking episodes came on. So, not convinced that Avapro had caused the previous problem, the doctor recommenced but at double the dose. I now have urinary frequency, swelling of the lower legs, episodes of tachycardia and irregular rhythm, low back pain, tendinitis in the R hip, sore hands, redness of the face, insomnia, numb fingers, sore muscles and positional dizziness. BP is great but this is only after 3 weeks of treatment. Time to try another drug group."

• Tfrom
• December 28, 2017

"This medicine has not lowered my blood pressure much in 4 months. I feel weak, tired, very hard to breathe, like I have asthma, which causes me to panic and get anxiety, and when it's cold out, I have chest pains walking fast, headaches, and some kind of weird swollen feeling in my throat and tonsil area all day that seem to ease up if I take a Halls menthol, but soon comes back. It also feels like I have angina, and on the days I forget to take my pill, I feel wonderful. No side effects. I can breathe, no swollen feeling, nothing. I guess it's time to look for a different med. Losartan did almost the same thing but not as intense."