Olmesartan User Reviews & Ratings

• Pippi...
• October 21, 2020

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I am not overweight at all yet still developed HT at 50 years old. I tried the gamut of BP meds all producing the desired results but all having the same varying side effects most often a dry cough. Then I tried Benicar 20mg. It lowered my BP, but, I was extremely lethargic. Started to take it at night but then couldn't get up in the morning. I cut my tablets into quarters and started taking 5mg instead of 20mg. My BP remained fine at 5mg and I stayed at that does for 12 years without any side effects. At 66 years old I switched to a vegetarian diet and within half a year my BP began to drop too low. I reduced my dosage to 5mg every-other-day and my BP was still too low. I stopped taking Benicar altogether and have not found it necessary to go back on it for nearly 18 months now. I'm still learning to eat vegetarian and make things taste good but very pleased that I have been able to control HT through diet. PS: you should also know, I do 10k steps a day every day."

• LYNN
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I was given Benicar 20 mg in Jan 2020 for BP. I was on it 10 days then was rushed to hospital with severe chest pains and difficulty breathing. I was kept for "observation" while stress tests were done. All good thank goodness, but the chest pains remained. Then I read the "more serious side effects" ... chest pains was #2 !!! Don't give me a pill that is going to cause more problems and less quality of life!!!"

• baybr...
• April 20, 2021

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Been on 20mg Benicar for decade (I am 72). Works great. Took cheaper generic made by Glenmark & developed bronchitis.. Do your research when switching to any generic. Look to see if there’s an authorized generic. If not, ask about other pharmaceutical companies that make generic. These companies can add fillers to the brand formula. CVS Caremark gave me three more suppliers they could get a generic from. An internet search for generic Olmesartan Medoximil (Benicar) along with the manufacturing company gave the ingredients used to compare to the Benicar-Brand produced by Sankyo. Accord Pharmaceuticals’ list of ingredients looks identical to Sankyo’s Brand Benicar. I’m hoping the Accord generic will work like Brand Benicar, as Accord cost is about $13/month. Much better than $2K for Sankyo-produced brand Benicar. Hope this info helps."

• Becky
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2018

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I have just turned 66 years old 4/30/18. I've have been taking Benicar HCT for 6 months. Have been very sick with persistent uncontrollable diarrhea (have it right after eating anything), extreme shortness of breath (so bad that I had a lung scan done...was negative), dizziness (had to stand slowly and in place until stabilized), debilitating fatigue (couldn’t hold out to do anything, taking a bath was so tiring ) muscle/joint pain (hard to walk...walked with limp), nausea (had to take antinausea medication frequently), sleeping problems (couldn’t stay awake and sometimes problems falling asleep and staying asleep), weight gain (approximately 20 pounds in 6 months), and bloating (felt full all the time). But no more, I stopped taking it on my own without doctor approval after my research of the side effects. Been off for 2 days and remarkable difference."

• Angel
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2019

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Benicar was not a good medication for me. I experienced awful side effects. Stiffing of the body, very painful joint pain most at night, leg pain, daily stomach pains (thought I had cancer), chest pains, diarrhea, bloating, difficulty in walking, could barely walk a block without getting out of breathe and needed an inhaler, I had swelling of tongue, face, feet, weight gain and some depression due to dealing with all these issues. One day after seeing my reflection in a large window at work, I was shocked to see how hunched I was and full off pain. I was never like this and how did this happen? I started to believe I must be ageing. I realized the only change in life was this medication and insisted it switched. Once removed the critical side effects stopped except with ongoing digestive issues."

• Jim
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2018

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Benicar kept my HBP down to normal for years. Aside from fatigue and subsequent weight gain I felt no ill effects as long as I took it at bedtime. However now that the generic form is being pushed by the pharmacies my HBP is back with a vengence. The systolic number went from years at 123 to 190 in 2 months. The worthless generic substitute is Olmesartan Medoxomil! This experience has totally changed my opinion about generic drugs and where they are made. I reported this to the FDA because I was on the verge of having a stroke because of this generic Benicar."

• Miguel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I stayed on 10mg most of the time. For weeks it worked though I felt brain fog throughout the day, then headaches that intensified over time. I woke up every night abruptly. Depression, blurred vision, cognitive problems, vertigo, loss of equilibrium, lethargy, chest pains, anxiety, stomach aches, brain zaps... It was like being at the gates of death. This drug made my life miserable, and the dr that prescribed it just didn't believe me. I thought I was dying. One day I decided to skip a dose. The next day all of the symptoms were gone! It's been now five days since I stopped this deadly poison and feel stronger every day. I also realized the company that makes it is dealing with multiple lawsuits about all the harm its caused many people. This is scary stuff. Needless to say I switched drs and threw away this poison. If you are feeling miserable while taking olmesartan, try skipping one day. You will be surprised. Love to all, and hope we can control bp in more natural and healthy ways."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2017

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I've been on Benicar HCT 20mg/12.5mg for 3 week now this medicine has some bad side effects I've experienced light headed, dizziness, cough feel like my chest feel tight sometime muscle aches tired all the time..does anybody else experience these side effects..when you tell your doctor what your experience they thinks it's not the medicine we know our bodies.."

• Lois
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2020

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Was switched from Losartan to Benicar due to recall of Losartan. First week was ok, some nausea which was helped with taking with food. Have been on it about 6 months and have had multiple issues but had not thought related until recently. Awful head fullness in morning, migraines, steady headache most of the day, lower leg pain, not able to sleep, and then filling like my ears are blocked and was treated for middle ear infection several times due to constant ear pain and vertigo, dizziness. Very blurry vision, floaters Finally started looking at all my medications and found that when I moved Benicar to later in day, the nausea, dizziness and fatigue occurred within an hour of taking. It did great at lowering my bp, but side effects are awful! After discussion with doctor and safe Losartan again available I am switching back. This drug is just not for me. Hoping things settled down once it is out of my system."

• azray
• June 20, 2011

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "If you are having problems with Benicar, TRY TAKING YOUR DOSE AT NIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED. It took me almost a year to finally figure it out. Plus, you will sleep much better. Give it some time. Most blood pressure medicines make you pee a lot. THIS IS A GOOD THING. Even if you hate getting up to pee a lot, your body is flushing out the sodium from your body. Make sure you drink enough water throughout the day so you have something to expel. Water is good for you anyway, helps you digest better and helps you lose weight. Ditch the caffeinated drinks, coffee, sodas (diet too). Hope this helps. "

• zapp
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 6, 2016

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Beware!! This med worked well to lower bp, but I have been on 40mg for 3 years now this slowly caused problems I didn't catch on to immediately such as severe pain in feet top and bottom like planter fasciitis extremely painful to walk on. Stiffness in legs like bad arthritis pains woke up so stiff. Possibly caused depression weight gain and lack of sex drive. Fatigue. No energy also was diagnosed with under active thyroid. Also diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Stopped taking Metformin for 2 weeks now only noticed slight improvement in foot pain. Been off of Benicar for 5 days seeing improvement each day pain in feet going away also stiffness going away I'm 50 y.o female felt like 90 years old body in so much pain."

• jf2good
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2014

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Benicar is very effective, but has side effects. It is causing me irritable bowel syndrome and diarrhea. My doctor first put me on Lisinopril, which caused my lungs to feel like they were full of fluid, after having difficulty breathing I stopped that medication. Then the Dr put me on samples of Benicar and it dropped my blood pressure readings to normal and I didn't notice side effects but the insurance wouldn't approve it. So they approved losartan, which seems to have no side effects but barely reduced my blood pressure, it worked but not very well. So they got the insurance to approve Benicar, but after taking it for almost 2 months it has caused me to have irritable bowel syndrome, if I stop taking it, I improve, start taking it it gets worse."

• Bad...
• June 24, 2016

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "This is the worst medication I have ever taken! It was poison to me! Severe lower back pain so bad had to walk with 2 canes! Thought it was sciatica , had extreme bladder pain, headaches , burning itching feet, severe , constipation , stomach pain so bad I ended up in emergency room! And ended up with upper respitory infection, My primary care took me off this garbage , all symptoms seem to be going away! Just a warning before you take this poison ask questions and read up on it!!!!!"

• Big...
• May 27, 2013

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure was high (144/90 -180/110) My doctors tried Alpha and Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers, Ace Inhibitors, Angiotension II Receptor Blockers, and diuretics. My best pressure was 138/90. The first week we tried Benicar HCT 40/25, I could tell a big difference. My best pressure was 128/78. After losing some weight, pressure dropped as well. 116/68. I started feeling extremely dizzy. Broke the pill in half and dizziness improved. Doctor will need to adjust dosage and hopefully will be able to discontinue use by end of year if weight loss continues. My appointments are now 3 months instead of monthly. Overall, I am pleased with my progress since I started taking Benicar."

• Dizzylr
• July 13, 2015

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Have been on this medication for 10 years. Didn't realize that side effects crept up very slowly. I have an entire list of side effects but the highest on my list are extreme fatigue, trouble breathing, gradual worsening depression and just a massive feeling of unwell. Besides Benicar, I only take Zantac for GERD issues (which popped up after I began taking Benicar). I used to be a healthy active man, now I am a sad sick mess. If I only knew what this medication was doing to me way back then..."

• Two...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2020

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I was put on Benicar as an additional BP medication due to a Vitamin B Deficiency of 2 years. Took 2, yes 2 doses, of 5mg one in A.M. & one at P.M. Suffered from every side effect listed very quickly. Don’t know why they even tried it on me as I have damaged kidneys & a heart condition. It pushed my BP even higher & bad chest pain. Benicar should be outlawed. Was put on Lisinopril 20mg today. I’m one who normally gets the worse of side effects of most medications. This was the worst. Glad I acted quickly."

• Angel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "This medicine olmesartan is horrible I took it for 4 months for high blood pressure after my doctor switched me from losartan because it was recalled and I have felt like rubbish the whole time not realizing it was side effects from this medication. I had flu like symptoms, muscle weekness, headaches, dizziness and foggy headed. I was worried it was something much worse. I would not recommend it!"

• NikiG
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 2, 2020

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "This medicine caused me to have pain in my ankles. 3 doctors didn’t believe that it was the medicine and ordered autoimmune tests which was negative. I finally insisted they change my medicine to Lisinopril. After being on the medicine for a full month after suffering for a year and a half, my ankle pain is gone! So annoyed after wasted money spent on tests and trip to rheumatologist."

• Reese
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2018

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I have been on Benicar 20/12.5 for 10 years and my blood pressure has been normal 110/65. I had to switch to the generic be cause of insurance reasons and I experienced all kinds of side effects: dizziness, cough, and higher blood pressure. It is not the same."

• cross...
• March 8, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I husband of 18 years was on this rubbish olmesartan for 6 months and it made him into a lunatic. It took me over 7 months to get him back to the doctor to get his meds changed. Became absolutely bipolar on this medication. It was like he had a demon in his body that would make him hateful to everyone. My husband before this med was laid back and a joy to be around. It had to come down to a now or never declaration to get his attention since he became the leader of the He man's woman haters club. 2 days in to new med and I see the demon fading. This stuff is brutal. I recommend you personally drag yourself or your spouse kicking and screaming from first week. Praying and wishing isn't going to change anything with this medicine."

• hydie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2015

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "It made feel like I was drunk all the time the unsteadiness on my feet blurred vision. It also gave me hives. It made me eat constantly and I gained like 25 pounds during the 2 mths I was on it. My lower legs and ankles swelled up and I couldn't get the swelling to go down and I tried everything About a wk to 2 wks after quitting benicar 300mg the side effects started subsiding my lower legs and ankles took the longest to go down even my eating has gone back to normal but now I have 25 pounds to loose. I hope this helps anyone thinking about taking it. My mother also worked with a women that took it for about a month and it made her pass out at work one day and she quit taking it too. Hope this helps!!!"

• Kissie
• March 24, 2017

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I took Benicar for 12 years or more and went through the leg cramps etc. but it worked well on my BP. I would get kidney infections occasionally but didn't know why. One day a few years ago I came down with painful gout. My new doctor took me off Benicar right away. She said it contributed to my gout flare ups because it affected my kidneys. I was so angry because I didn't know and hadn't read up on it. Have your kidneys check regularly while taking this med. Now through diet and another BP med I do well with the Gout, however I wish I hadn't taken Benicar so long and had it affect my kidneys. Be careful!"

• Gods...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2016

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I was taking a different pill at first but my doctor decided it wasn't working to lower my pressure enough, so they said we are going to try you on this one. I took one the next day since I had already taken my old pill. The first day the pill did lower my blood pressure with no problems. The second day I took it my pressure was still at a good number. I did not later when I tried to sleep I couldn't. Each time I would fall asleep it was hard for me to breath and a few times that I woke up my heart was beating differently and I had some pain in my chest. I won't be taking this medication anymore. I will lower it the natural way by watching what I eat, walking and with God's help I will be just fine."

• Nurse...
• November 29, 2007

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "My 65-yr-old-Darling-Husband takes Benicar for HTN; and even though I'm an RN, didn't know what would happen to a person taking Benicar who becomes "run down" Twice after "burning the candle at both ends" my DH had episodes of profuse sweating, a non-palpable pulse, and passed out v-low BP. Cardiologist finally said Benicar can cause zero BP."

• Wally
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "When Losartan was recalled, my doctor prescribed Olmasartan. The first thing I noticed was I was extremely tired and wanted to sleep all the time. I'm usually full of energy. Next was a loss of appetite, my heart felt like it was racing, I developed a very bad rash, my feet and ankles became swollen. I have been off of Olmasartan now about two weeks and I'm starting to feel better. A horrible drug."