Irbesartan and Lightheadedness: What Users Say

• Jel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 4, 2016

Irbesartan for High Blood Pressure "I am 63 years old, and inherited high blood pressure from my mother. I have been taking Avapro for about 15 years. Initially, it was 150mg, but recently, as 2 years I have been on 300 mg. Initially, after the increased dose, I had such back muscle/bone pain, it felt as if an elephant had sat on me. My doctor changed my medication to a beta-blocker, but that did nothing to bring my blood pressure down. What annoys me after reading everyone's feedback is I have been struggling with exhaustion for years, muscle pain, lightheadedness when standing, fainting even landing up fainting at work, with the ambulance being called. Not the doctor, nor the hospital mentioned the side effects of this medication."

• Roy...
• October 7, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "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."

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

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• you...
• July 14, 2010

Irbesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been on Avapro for 5 months now at 300mg a day. I have had no side effects. But my blood pressure has now started to rise. The last two times it was at 177 over 128 and then 170 over 120. I now get very light-headed when I stand up due to the high blood pressure. I don't think it is good for me. Overall it worked for a while, but is no longer working for me."

• bal...
• May 26, 2009

Irbesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Avapro 300/day for 8 years, and it has consistently controlled my blood pressure within acceptable ranges with minimal side effects. Some light-headedness after taking it first thing in the morning. Overall, I rate it great."

• Pau...
• January 27, 2008

Irbesartan for High Blood Pressure "I am taking 75 mg Avapro. Each time I take it, I sweat profusely, sometimes lightheaded and break out into rashes on my hand, leg, back, and my vagina. Overall, the medication works to keep my blood pressure in check. Its 138/75."

• Cod...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 28, 2013

"I have been on irbesartan for 8 years and usually have no problems apart from the usual lightheadedness when getting up. I developed a cough 5 years ago, which initially got me worried, but now it comes and goes. It gets worse on the change of environments-cold to warm and vice versa-or when I come in contact with dust, pollen, or some perfumes. I get fed up with it, but it keeps my lupus at bay, so I am happy to put up with it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2025

For High Blood Pressure "I have mild high blood pressure. This medication lowered it to acceptable levels. The only side effect I have felt is rare lightheadedness, particularly when I stand up. This happens less than once per month, I can live with it."