Olmesartan and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2018

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have just turned 66 years old on 4/30/18. I've been taking Benicar HCT for 6 months. I have been very sick with persistent uncontrollable diarrhea (having it right after eating anything), extreme shortness of breath (so bad that I had a lung scan done, which was negative), dizziness (had to stand slowly and in place until stabilized), debilitating fatigue (couldn’t muster the energy to do anything, even taking a bath was exhausting), muscle/joint pain (difficult to walk and walked with a limp), nausea (had to frequently take antinausea medication), sleeping problems (couldn’t stay awake and sometimes had difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep), weight gain (approximately 20 pounds in 6 months), and bloating (always felt full). However, no more, I stopped taking it on my own without doctor approval after researching the side effects. It has been 2 days since I stopped, and there is a remarkable difference."

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

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 vengeance. 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."

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

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 the morning, migraines, steady headache most of the day, lower leg pain, not able to sleep, and then feeling 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 the 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 the doctor and safe Losartan again available I am switching back. This drug is just not for me. Hoping things settle down once it is out of my system."

• Diz...
• July 13, 2015

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..."

• zap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 6, 2016

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 plantar 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 underactive 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 a 50-year-old female, felt like a 90-year-old body in so much pain."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Took Verapamil for 10 years. BP was controlled but developed severe fatigue, so Dr. switched to Olmesartan. The first two weeks were okay, but I began to experience bad headaches and insomnia. After 3 months, my BP is uncontrolled, and glucose readings are higher. At the next Dr. appointment, I will be requesting a new BP Rx. Olmesartan was ineffective for my BP."

• Wor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 14, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been taking generic Benicar (20 mg once a day) for 5 months now. It works very well to lower my BP. I haven’t noticed any side effects except for maybe some fatigue, but it is minor. I was in the 150/90 range, I’m now right around 115/75."

• Jai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been taking generic olmesartan medoxomil 40 mg for about 7 months. I’m 41 years old, female, and in good health. I also take Norvasc. I’ve had unexplained hypertension since I was in my 20s despite my normal weight. I haven’t had any abnormal side effects from the medicine that I’m aware of! My GI is normal, with no leg cramps or fatigue. If I had read all these horror stories before taking it, it would have scared me off it. I’ll keep an eye out for the long-term side effects though!"

• LaP...
• May 27, 2010

For High Blood Pressure "On April 19, I went to see my doctor for flu symptoms. He told me my blood pressure was 180/110. I also weighed 389 lbs. I left with medicines only for the flu symptoms. I was determined to tackle the blood pressure issue. I started exercising and eating healthy (not a diet). A month later, I had dropped 16 lbs and 18 points on my blood pressure; however, the doctor put me on Benicar (20 mg). It's been a week, and about the only side effect has been feeling light-headed. Some mornings I also feel sluggish. My pressure has gone down to 148/94. Although I have a way to go, I lost another 4 lbs this week. The medicine is better than I anticipated, but I will keep going and soon hope to be off of it."