Olmesartan and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 16, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Olmesartan gets my BP down, but with downsides - sometimes systolic and diastolic decrease at different rates, and my body has difficulty adjusting back to normal. I have experienced all of the following side effects: elevated heart rate, chest pain, vertigo, breathlessness during exercise, lightheadedness. I am looking for an alternative with fewer side effects. The best advice I can give is that you should first get yourself a good BP monitor. I got myself an OMRON BP652, which is excellent. I chose a wrist monitor because it is small, portable, and easy to use. You will benefit by finding your own optimal dosage (40 mg/day was way too much for me). Effectiveness 9/10; Side effects 3/10 Overall 6/10."

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2010

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I'm taking Benicar 40 mg for high blood pressure 163/100 on average. I'm slightly overweight (47). Benicar has actually reduced my dizziness I had prior to taking blood pressure medications. I tried water pills, but blood pressure got worse. My doctor knows I'm the kind of patient that will stop taking medications that bother me, so she skipped the lisinopril and went straight for the Benicar, and I'm glad she did. Although it's day 4 now, and my blood pressure is 124/58, sort of low after being in the 100s a few days ago. Maybe I'll need the 20 mg, but I love the focus and energy I have again, and the looser bowels are an additional perk! Knees stopped hurting from arthritis too."

• Jel...
• April 4, 2009

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been on Benicar HCT for 2 years after being diagnosed with high blood pressure at 23. Side effects were dizziness, constant sleepiness, and weird heartbeats, but it works amazingly. After dropping some weight, I have just been dropped down to regular Benicar and have no complaints. Awesome stuff. Now, if they could only make it taste better."

• Yoo...
• April 18, 2009

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Benicar 40 mg for about 4 years. Dizziness is the only occasional trouble. Never had any problems associated with drinking alcohol, even after some all-night vodka binges - no hangovers either. That was some years ago. I don't drink much nowadays. Blood pressure alternates but is never above 130/80. Interestingly, after running 7 miles (I do it once a week or so), systolic count is often below 110 and diastolic in the low sixties within 5 minutes of the run. I am 56. I am thinking of lowering to 20 mg."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2009

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Benicar 20 mg/12.5 HCT for about 7 years, and it works great. It keeps my blood pressure down to 120-125/75-80. I do experience dizziness and light-headedness frequently, but I sit at a desk most of the day at work, so it's no big deal. I also cannot stay out in the sun long at all. I don't know if this is a side effect of Benicar, but also 2 years ago, I started getting vision 'floaters' and had to change to another prescription twice. I'm only 43, and my vision is no longer 20/20 and can only get 20/40 with corrective lenses. The eye doctor doesn't see anything wrong and says 20/40 is okay. I'll get a 2nd opinion just in case. Also, I started getting flushing or 'red face and neck' about 3 years ago. It comes and goes. Benicar is the only medicine I use."

• nck...
• April 12, 2010

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been on Benicar 20 mg for about 2 years for high blood pressure and headaches caused by stenosis and a bad disk in my neck. I know within a couple of hours if I have missed my dose. My blood pressure elevates, headaches with loss of balance, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and my neck muscles knot up. For the past several months, I have experienced leg and feet swelling on a regular basis. If it wasn't for Benicar, I would have had neck surgery several years ago."

• nck...
• April 12, 2010

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been on Benicar 20 mg for about 2 years for high blood pressure and headaches caused by stenosis and a bad disk in my neck. I know within a couple of hours if I have missed my dose. My blood pressure elevates, headaches with loss of balance, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and my neck muscles knot up. For the past several months, I have experienced leg and feet swelling on a regular basis. If it wasn't for Benicar, I would have had neck surgery several years ago."

• ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Pharmacy changed my manufacturer of olmesartan to Accord. I had no problem with the brand name or one generic, but this Accord brand was horrible. Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pains, headache, vertigo, confusion that got worse every day, to the point I had to stop taking it. I hadn't been told the pharmacy changed it, I had to see what I had done differently since I got sick, the medication was it. Now, after stopping it 48 hours later, I am much better. I will not be taking it again. It didn't reduce my BP enough, though Bextra brand did. I just can't afford it. I have this issue with some brands of Metformin also. Fillers seem to be a problem."

• Old...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I was 56 years old, 6’ 2” and 235 lb with a blood pressure of approximately 170/100 when I started taking medication. After several months using a diuretic medication with somewhat erratic and disappointing results, my doctor switched me to Olmesartan Medoxomil at a dosage of 20 mg per day taken in the morning. My blood pressure quickly dropped to favorable levels but then continued to decline to below 100/60 on a frequent basis. After hitting a low of 80/41 with occasional episodes of dizziness, I began splitting my pills and taking 10 mg per day. My blood pressure has typically been around 120/70 over the past eight months with no evident side effects. My experience with the generic form of Benicar has been very good overall."

• Iri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I suffer from high blood pressure and take Metoprolol with no problems. My doctor added a second blood pressure medication. First, with Lisinopril, I had no problems except an annoying cough. Then I was switched to Losartan. When Losartan was recalled a few years ago, my doctor put me on Valsartan. I have had no side effects with Valsartan, however, it didn't bring my numbers down where he wanted them to be, so I was prescribed Olmesartan. At first, I had no problems with Olmesartan, but then I developed dizziness/vertigo, feeling out of it, and was unbalanced while walking. I stopped taking Olmesartan, and the next day I felt better. I am not sure if it is Olmesartan alone or in combination with other medication I take that causes these side effects. I will consult with my doctor for an alternative medication."

• Iri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I suffer from high blood pressure and take Metoprolol with no problems. My doctor added a second blood pressure medication. First, with Lisinopril, I had no problems except an annoying cough. Then I was switched to Losartan. When Losartan was recalled a few years ago, my doctor put me on Valsartan. I have had no side effects with Valsartan, however, it didn't bring my numbers down where he wanted them to be, so I was prescribed Olmesartan. At first, I had no problems with Olmesartan, but then I developed dizziness/vertigo, feeling out of it, and was unbalanced while walking. I stopped taking Olmesartan, and the next day I felt better. I am not sure if it is Olmesartan alone or in combination with other medication I take that causes these side effects. I will consult with my doctor for an alternative medication."

• Pen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on olmesartan for about 2 months. Started at 20 mg. BP too low, very dizzy and nauseous. Then 15 mg, same problem. Now 10 mg, BP very good. Dizzy occasionally, but nauseous all the time. I see the cardiologist in a week and have to get off this drug. By the way, it was NOT the cardiologist that prescribed it. It was the primary doctor. My insurance covered this drug. I’d rather pay something than have to feel rubbish all the time."

• CMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I’m the type where I don’t get side effects from meds this one included. I was scared of the negative reviews, but my BP had been 160/100. Political and COVID stress for over 6 months. I don’t drink, smoke, not overweight, don’t cook with salt, a little sedentary though. I haven’t taken my BP yet on this med, but I feel much better after my first dose. My heart isn’t pounding. Doc told me 2 things - make sure I drink lots of water and I may feel dizzy upon standing because this med opens (dilates) the blood vessels. I had the dizziness a couple of times, but that always happened before my BP was high. After we get back to semi-normal, I hope to be able to stop taking."

• mes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on it 3 weeks now, been sick every day. I'm on half of a 5 mg tab, and it drops it so low. I'm dizzy every day, blurry vision, and my pressure is extremely low. My cardiologist won't take me off. My legs swell and I have lost weight. I would rather take my chance with medication. I was on lisinopril, it worked good but had a bad cough. I was on olmesartan but it made me sick. It has caused me to be depressed. I want to get taken off."

• Anonymous
• April 3, 2008

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "20 mg a day has been enough to put me well into the safety zone. I haven't had any side effects, except occasional dizziness when standing. Energy level is great."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2009

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I just started taking this medicine, and it makes me dizzy."