Olmesartan and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Pip...
• October 21, 2020

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 dose 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2017

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I've been on Benicar HCT 20mg/12.5mg for 3 weeks now. This medicine has some bad side effects. I've experienced light-headedness, dizziness, coughing, feeling like my chest is tight, sometimes muscle aches, and feeling tired all the time. Does anybody else experience these side effects? When you tell your doctor about your experience, they think it's not the medicine but we know our bodies."

• Wal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "When Losartan was recalled, my doctor prescribed Olmesartan. 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 Olmesartan now about two weeks, and I'm starting to feel better. A horrible drug."

• You...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 5, 2019

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I was diagnosed with high blood pressure (HBP) at the young age of 14. I weighed about 100 lbs at the time. I've been taking Benicar for about 4 years, previously Lisinopril 40 mg. I started 20 mg of Benicar, and blood pressure was not controlled. So I was put on 40 mg. I would take it every day, and I would get so tired. So I told a new doctor, and she said to decrease back to 20 mg, so I did and switched my time taking it to bedtime. It puts me to sleep, however, after 4 straight nights of it, I wake up so drained, have no energy, and feel a little confused. I too have breathing problems but assumed my asthma was getting worse. I've been asking for a new medicine, with no luck. I'll be honest, I hope for the weight gain, I could use some of that, but it hasn't happened. Hopefully, I can get off of this soon!"

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "The worst medication ever! Helped with the blood pressure, but at what cost? Took it for almost 3 months only, I just stopped it less than a week ago. From the beginning, I had coughing and a horrible problem with acid reflux. Later, the chest pain kicked in. I was feeling tired and drowsy all the time. My muscles and joints hurt. Unusual cramps in my legs. Numbness, tingling, and itchiness especially on my legs and feet. Legs felt swollen, heavy, and sore. Abdominal pain all the time. My IBS got worse, having to pass bowel motions many times a day without any relief. Tinnitus and migraines happen more often than ever before. After suffering from this for almost 3 months, I stopped the medication cold turkey. Like magic, the cramps, tingling, and numbness went away the next day. Two days later, the muscle aches were gone. Still have tired and heavy legs but are less now. The only new thing I have is diarrhea. I found a study that says it can happen after stopping this poison."

• Dr ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I see some people reporting issues, but not indicating the manufacturer! This is HUGE. As I reported previously, there are SIGNIFICANT differences between manufacturers of the same medication!! I'm currently on 40 mg Olmesartan by Alembic Pharms LTD (US) Corp for 2 months and although it brings the BP down to where it should be, it has SIGNIFICANT side effects - that being tired, taking 3 hour naps after work and brain 'floating,' unable to concentrate properly with pressure like someone squeezing my temples! :O It's basically impossible for me to do my job! I did NOT have these or ANY side effects from REDBROOK (India)-Olmeheal 40 mg, so I'm going to find out and get my hands back on this permanently now that I know there are significant differences between manufacturers. Surprised the US manufacturer SUCKS and India is the best! Oh well, gotta use what works and with the least/no side effects. I have to work."

• Cla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 14, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Side effects, reflux, heartburn, rapid weight gain, dizziness, generalized osteoarthritis pain, restless legs and leg pain, insomnia, urinary tract infection, blurred vision, tiredness, silent migraine, nausea, heavy legs and body after taking in the evening, aspiration of stomach contents, reflux while asleep scary... Lots of side effects, going to GP to have a change of meds, feel terrible with all these side effects. Blood pressure lowered as a result on a positive note..."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2025

For High Blood Pressure "Just wanted to come on here to let everyone know that I have been on this medication after switching from losartan. I take 20 mg a day and have no side effects. I was a little tired in the beginning, and I used to get a little dizzy when standing up. My blood pressure was well controlled in the beginning, but now it is creeping up just a little. Might have to double the dose. DON'T BE SCARED. You will be fine. It is trial and error. Take the pill and forget about it. The anxiety about taking the pill will make you feel worse than the pill itself. Good luck!"

• Jud...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 30, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on metoprolol to slow heart rate, which made blood pressure higher. I was put on olmesartan to lower blood pressure. For 8 years, I suffered pain all over, extreme tiredness, inability to do much of anything, or remember anything. I felt old beyond my years. Stopping metoprolol cleared my head. Stopping olmesartan stopped chest tightness, the weak, tired feeling abated. Miserable 8 years. Now on just verapamil, and so far, so good. May need medication adjustment, but now I feel good, like I used to feel before these two awful medications with overlapping side effects."

• Dr ...
• July 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been on and off HBP meds for ~15 years. I'm 48 years old now and 175 lb. After reviewing daily BP, it appeared the only medication that worked was Benicar HCT... BUT had the WORST side effects (deep muscle aches and in the tendons, lethargic, severe stomach burning), and I could NOT take it. I tried Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan as separate pills to see if it was one or the other. The 25 mg HCT brought it right down from 160/115 to 120/80, but crept back up to where it was. I then tried 40 mg Olmesartan, taking 1 pill/day at night. Results... BP 120/80, no significant side effects! I now have been on this for 3 months and no issue. The problem was Benicar/HCT and the company! Solution - Olmesartan Medoxomil. I'm currently on Alembic Pharms LTD (US) corp, have been on from Daiichi, Akiichi Sankyo (Japan). The BEST I've been on is from REDBROOK (India) - Olmeheal 40. I highly recommend you try to get your pharmacy to carry this mfg."

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I've had high BP for 20 years and controlled it with exercise, karate, but finally went to the doctor with buzzing in my ears. My BP was 260/160. Olmetec brought it down to 120/70 in a few days. After a workout, my BP is 90/60. I've been taking it for a month now and feel so relaxed, like chilled out all the time. But arms and legs feel like lead when working out, and I tire real easy, but I knew taking BP meds would do this. But at 260/160, that was too risky. Many comments here I agree with: sex drive goes to zero, feeling of lethargy, but the drug works. I did try Coversyl first, and that had absolutely no effect on me."

• Ton...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I've had high BP for 20 years and controlled it with exercise, karate, but finally went to the doctor with buzzing in my ears. My BP was 260/160. Olmetec brought it down to 120/70 in a few days. After a workout, my BP is 90/60. I've been taking it for a month now and feel so relaxed, like chilled out all the time. But arms and legs feel like lead when working out, and I tire real easy, but I knew taking BP meds would do this. But at 260/160, that was too risky. Many comments here I agree with: sex drive goes to zero, feeling of lethargy, but the drug works. I did try Coversyl first, and that had absolutely no effect on me."

• Gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Although the Benicar 40 mg has been working well, I'm trying to figure out how to deal with the excessive tiredness. Tried taking it at 8:00 last night, slept very well for 7 hours, but still feeling sleepy this morning."