Benicar User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)
Benicar has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 115 reviews on Drugs.com. 61% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 17% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Benicar
- Ny ...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 14, 2013
For High Blood Pressure "I have been on Benicar for about a year now, and I have to say it has helped my blood pressure. Blood pressure is 120-130 and over 70-75 on average. My pressure was not dangerously high, but my doctor recommended I go on it since it is in my family history. I am 40."
- lit...
- August 4, 2013
For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Benicar 20 mg for 2 1/2 years. The doctor switched me from lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide after prostate surgery. My blood pressure has remained in the 120/75 range the whole time. The only side effects I have noticed are a change in my sex drive and leg cramps. The lack of sex drive could be from the surgery, or the fact that I am almost 72 years young."
- Mik...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- September 30, 2018
For High Blood Pressure "I've had uncontrolled high blood pressure for years. I was taking or had taken multitudes of meds for it. Diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, etc. Finally, Benicar was tried, and wow... normal blood pressure for the 1st time in 20 years! I don't get the side effects like many here either. I'm still taking my diuretics and B-blocker as well and switched to the generic version of olmesartan (insurance). For me, Benicar (olmesartan) is a miracle drug."
- tod...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- February 13, 2015
For High Blood Pressure "Benicar is great. I have been using it for 4-5 years now. I had an initial period of being light-headed for a few weeks when I first started the medicine, but after that, no problems whatsoever. Keeps my blood pressure around 115/70. My bottom figure had been around 95. Benicar is more expensive than a lot of the other hypertension medicines, but it is well worth it for me."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- Iaq...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 21, 2015
For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Diovan HCT for the past 10 years; varying doses as my BP continued to increase with age. Diovan was giving me debilitating migraines, and the weight gain was out of control; even though I am a vegetarian and walk about 3 miles a day. Life on Diovan was miserable. Two weeks ago, I persuaded my doctor to switch me to Benicar HCT and to start me on the lowest dose. My BP while on Diovan HCT hovered around 190/102; the highest was 200/105, which was becoming rather common lately. So my doctor also prescribed Bystolic. Three hours after taking Benicar HCT, my blood pressure slowly dropped to 133/80. I am not used to 'normal' blood pressure, so I felt like I was drunk. Quite a nice feeling from such a small pill... LOL."
- Anonymous
- July 5, 2009
For High Blood Pressure "My doctor put me on Benicar HCT about 7 years ago. I was the type of person who hated to take medication so I didn't take it consistently. I think that is why I finally realized every time I would take a pill, I would wake up during the night with severe leg cramps. I told my doctor about it, and he changed my prescription to plain Benicar. After that, I take it regularly and have no side effects or problems at all, and it keeps my blood pressure level at 110/70."
- Anonymous
- March 2, 2008
For High Blood Pressure "BP dropped over 100 pts for systolic and diastolic pressures after ONE dose of 20/12.5 Benicar HCT. No side effects at all. Has remained below 120/78 for a week at two daily dosages of 20/12.5 AM and PM. Shortness of breath is gone, all leg and feet swelling is gone, and no increase in frequency of urination. Absolutely no side effects and BP taken twice a day, AM and PM is around 113/63."
- Sha...
- May 12, 2009
For High Blood Pressure "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."
- HBP...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 24, 2015
For High Blood Pressure "Was previously taking Lisinopril at the highest dosage and still had blood pressure readings of 160/95. Benicar HCT 40/12.5 (Benicar combined with a diuretic called hydrochlorothiazide) is the only drug that has ever gotten my blood pressure fully under control (120/77 at the doctor today). I take it with a banana or some orange juice in the morning to ensure my potassium levels don't drop too low. I have no side effects with this pill, other than running to the restroom a bit more during the first couple of days I was taking the medication."
- Chu...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 30, 2016
For High Blood Pressure "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. It's a shame because during the day, Benicar had no apparent side effect and kept BP at 128/79."
- Vik...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 15, 2018
For High Blood Pressure "Been on beta blockers, clonidine, lisinopril over the last year. The beta blockers and I don't get along. I actually had higher BP over time on them. Clonidine is super at reducing pressure, but is intolerable daily. Benicar for me is fantastic. No side effects and keeps pressure in check at 20 mg once a day. I demanded the real thing as generic beta blockers caused me problems. I do not trust generic quality. So far, Benicar is the best drug I can imagine for blood pressure patients."
- sta...
- Taken for 10 years or more
- August 4, 2019
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!"
- Anonymous
- April 18, 2008
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."
- LBa...
- July 30, 2011
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."
- mar...
- March 15, 2012
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
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."
- Mik...
- July 24, 2016
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
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
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
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."
- ACE...
- July 14, 2011
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
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
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."
- Lin...
- December 18, 2015
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."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.More about Benicar (olmesartan)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (115)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Support group
- Drug class: angiotensin receptor blockers
- Breastfeeding
- En español
For High Blood Pressure "Have taken Benicar for 10 years or so. Blood pressure around 123/70. When forced by insurance to take generic, now 156/89. In the past, I got name brand with $42.00 a month co-pay. In order to get name brand now, my co-pay would be around $290.00 a month. Outrageous! Switching to something else."