Olmesartan User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• sta...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 4, 2019

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I was diagnosed with hypertension at 24 years old. I started Benicar HCT then. Twelve years later, I am still taking this med and wouldn't take anything else for my BP. It is very well controlled, and I feel absolutely relaxed after taking it. They tried to force the generic version, which doesn't work. I get regular labs done, and I feel just fine!"

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

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on olmesartan 20 mg nearly 4 weeks ago. I started okay, but as the days went on, I noticed different side effects. I got chest pain, breathlessness, 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, had chest pain, and couldn't eat or drink water. Went to the emergency room, 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 72 hours, and I'm still nauseated at times. My blood pressure is high, anywhere from 138/100 to 174/110 if I move around. The reflux is bad, I urinate a lot, the ringing in my ears has gotten worse, had pain and a needle feeling in my chest and get sometimes all over. Pain in leg, can't drive, anxiety, and depression is extreme. No sex drive."

• Fio...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I had resisted taking BP meds for years and tried exercise, supplements, and diet to manage my BP, but eventually, it was spiking at around 180/110 and consistently averaging about 140-150/90-100 no matter what I did, so I started Olmesartan 20 mg. That was about 2 years ago. The only initial symptoms I got were mild dizziness and fatigue. The dizziness only lasted a week or so, but the fatigue has persisted to a degree. I’m just a little less energetic and feel a little more ‘flat’ since starting it, but it’s well worth it to keep my BP down and avoid all the issues that can bring."

• Anonymous
• April 18, 2008

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been using this medicine for almost two 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."

• Tis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Extremely bad experience after only 2 doses of non-generic olmesartan. Am seeing my doctor tomorrow to change. I went to see the chemist yesterday after work as I was concerned with the symptoms. The chemist advised symptoms can hang around for a week or so. After the first 20 mg pill in the morning, I woke at 2:30 am and had leg aches. I took the 2nd pill in the morning with breakfast, and by the time I got to work, my legs felt like lead. I had sharp pains down my legs. My hip bones felt like I was some arthritic 100-year-old. I had difficulty walking. My head ached. I began to get forgetful to the point where it alarmed me. On coming home, even my husband noticed I was different. Today I didn't take this drug, which I'm now calling poison! I still have bad lower back and hip ache despite not taking it today. I would give this drug a big ZERO and feel I should be given a refund!"

• LBa...
• July 30, 2011

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I started Benicar two weeks ago for extremely high blood pressure 220/105. After two weeks, my blood pressure is now down to 140/80. I do feel much better. More energy. The only complaint I have is the muscle/leg cramps and aches I get every night. Nothing helps. I am on 40 mg 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."

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "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, a 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?"

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

For High Blood Pressure "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 stridor, which could indicate bronchitis, asthma, or an anaphylactic reaction. When I repeated that I 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."

• mar...
• March 15, 2012

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "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 it stays the same or goes up, obviously it's 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 it's the cheese because I'm happy with Benicar."

• Din...
• May 3, 2009

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "Seems to work for everyone but me. Quality of life was seriously affected by the ongoing dizziness from this product (20 mg). Elevators left me weak-kneed and staggering at work. Daily descending stairs also a vertigo nightmare. Blood pressure can easily go into 214/105 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 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."

• Chu...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "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 altogether. I just bought the book Plant Paradox by Dr. Gundry and going to give that a try. Anyone else tried Plant Paradox?"

• Mik...
• July 24, 2016

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "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."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2009

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "Have been using Benicar 20 mg for a couple of years now (age 47). Slight dizziness first week after hard exercise in the sun (bike riding up a 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."

• Con...
• December 6, 2014

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "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 latter 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."

• Lit...
• August 20, 2015

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I was suffering from high blood pressure for the last two years...without medication...It got really bad in the last two weeks, that's when my doctor prescribed me Benicar 20 mg...I have been taking it for three days only, and I already feel 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."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 30, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Had high blood pressure, yes, it's fixed that, but the pains in my legs have 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 as 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."

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

For High Blood Pressure "I see some people reporting issues, but not indicating the manufacturer! This is HUGE. As I reported previously, there are SIGNIFICANT differences between manufacturers of the same medication!! I'm currently on 40 mg Olmesartan by Alembic Pharms LTD (US) Corp for 2 months and although it brings the BP down to where it should be, it 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 40 mg, so I'm going to find out and get my hands back on this permanently now that I know there are 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

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "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 20 mg."

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

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I was put on 20 mg of Benicar in 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."

• che...
• December 2, 2008

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "Started on Benicar 7 days ago after 3 years on Cardizem DL 360. So far, my blood pressure has not responded well, especially my diastolic. I am a nurse, so I take my blood pressure daily. I have a history of intolerance to drugs and have to change medications frequently."

• Jud...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 3, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "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 (hydrochlorothiazide) given 90 days. I have been busy after the 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 a 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... it's me in a nutshell. I'm shocked this medication is so harmful."

• Lin...
• December 18, 2015

Olmesartan for Migraine Prevention "Benicar has been a 'wonder' drug for me. It is the only BP medication that my body will tolerate. I have been on this drug for 10 years. Not only has it stabilized my BP (the original reason it was prescribed for me), but I have ceased having migraine headaches. I haven't even had any regular headaches since I began taking Benicar."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Felt okay the first two days, but then the nasty effects kicked in: dizziness, head pressure, GI symptoms, anxiety, generalized body pains, and stiffness. No effect on BP either. Better off treating hypertension with a good diet, exercise, meditation, and intermittent fasting."

• BoB...
• January 5, 2012

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "Been on Benicar 40 mg 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."

• Eil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "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 it seems to have stopped my palpitations! I've read in some reviews it causes them, but for some reason, it's helping mine. Anyone else have this happen to them?"