Olmesartan and Headaches: What Users Say

• Mig...
• 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 doctor 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 it's caused many people. This is scary stuff. Needless to say, I switched doctors 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 blood pressure in more natural and healthy ways."

• Bad...
• June 24, 2016

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 the emergency room! And ended up with upper respiratory 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!"

• Ang...
• 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. I have felt like rubbish the whole time, not realizing it was side effects from this medication. I had flu-like symptoms, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, and foggy-headed. I was worried it was something much worse. I would not recommend it!"

• Sha...
• May 12, 2009

Olmesartan 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Psy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a medical doctor, and I was tested to show high BP. I ignored it for many years till I began to get the occasional headache, and with a lot of coffee, I would experience near panic attacks. Then I was put on Olmesartan by the cardiologist at 160/110, and within minutes, my blood pressure was under control at a very low dose, as I have realized that I am exquisitely sensitive to Olmesartan even at 20 mg. So I am taking 10 mg Olmesartan with the initial lightheadedness at every dose administration. After 15 minutes, the symptoms pass, and I am in control for a day and a half. So I have my portable BP instrument with me, OMRON, and my BP is 120/85 most times, though it can fluctuate. But I dose myself every alternate day, and it's GREAT!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Came across Olmesartan on this site and impressed by its high rating. Had been on Amlodipine and Ramipril, both caused various side effects, including frequent urination, cystitis, itchy scalp, and very upsetting thinning of my hair to the front top of my head. Also, facial flushing, pounding head, sleeping badly with vivid dreaming. Apart from not lowering my blood pressure, 165/80, I seemed to be getting every side effect and was despairing that this was it for the rest of my life. I spoke with my GP, who was unaware of Olmesartan, I think due to the fact that it's a more expensive drug, she reluctantly prescribed it for me. It's been a month now, my BP averages 115 to 125/60, no side effects apart from slight lightheadedness. Got my life back!"

• 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."

• Dak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Started taking olmesartan 1 week ago, and I know it takes time for some drugs to set in, but this drug has made me feel horrible. The first day, I had no issues, and it did seem to lower my BP that evening. The next 4 days, the issues piled on. The worst was the chest pain, chest tightness, insomnia, and pressure in my head. I started off with 40 mg but quickly realized it was too much, so cut it in half. Even with half a pill, I continue to have symptoms. I am slowly weaning it down to zero and getting off of this drug. I feel worse now than I did before I took it."

• SMA...
• July 13, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "This drug was awful for me. The day after my first dose, I started getting a cold, headache, and diarrhea. I also had insomnia. The cold and the headache got worse every day. By the 3rd day, my head felt like it was gonna explode! I could barely function. Not to mention, I was only getting about 3 hours of sleep a night because of the insomnia. Shooting pains across the crown of my head that wrapped around to both temples. Sinus pressure up my nose and right above my eyebrows. I took myself off it before my 4th dose. It did very little to control my BP. There has to be something better out there."

• hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2012

"I've had uncontrolled blood pressure problems for four months, and my doctor is trying to find a new combination to work down the frequent 200/110 readings I have. No weight problems and decent health, just horrible blood pressure. We tried Benicar 40 mg, but I've seen no noticeable effect so far, but also no bad side effects, which is good. (Tried Lisinopril-Ace inhibitor-and wound up in the ER with the worst headache of my life. Finally had to be given morphine and another medicine to knock me unconscious because of the pain. Oddly, though, it did lower my blood pressure.) Anyway, because of all the positive reviews above, I'm thinking of suggesting Benicar-HCTZ to my doctor, since I take 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide daily anyway. Have had to take clonidine every night for too long."