Olmesartan User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I had been on BP medicine for about 25 years. Recently, the doctor switched me to Olmesartan 20 mg manufactured by Aurobindo, combined with Amlodipine 5 mg by Lupin (this Lupin I don't think has good quality). I took both in the morning after breakfast. I had been on it for about 5 1/2 weeks. It worked well, bringing my BP below 120/80, sometimes to 92/60. The only side effect I had now is insomnia. I agree with other posters that manufacturers make different qualities of the drugs. I started to request pharmacy refill with the manufacturer that worked for me."

• 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."

• bsm...
• January 11, 2011

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Was put on Benicar 20 mg twice a day after suffering a stroke. Works great with other meds that I'm taking due to stents. Tried other blood pressure meds, but none of them works as well as the Benicar."

• Jel...
• April 4, 2009

Benicar (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

Benicar (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."

• rgs...
• March 4, 2009

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I see many people have had a very positive effect on their blood pressure. I have been using Benicar HCT for about 2 weeks along with Toprol XL. While the Toprol seems to do its job (reduce pulse rate), Benicar HCT seems to have no effect. I had changed from Norvasc because of swelling, and blood pressure was ~140/80, still uncontrolled. Now it's 160/85. My doctor tells me not to worry, everything will be just fine."

• Anonymous
• June 21, 2010

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "As of today, it's two weeks since I started taking Benicar 40/12.5 mg. Wow, what an experience. I don't take any other medicines for anything. I do take vitamins and supplements. My blood pressure now is so great that it helps me deal with the side effects better. I have lightheadedness, spontaneous increase in heartbeats, light muscle aches, all of these I didn't have before taking Benicar. It took at least a week and a half for my system to adjust. I'll continue on with it, and hopefully, after significant weight loss, I will come off altogether. Until then, I'll take the 123/75 blood pressure any day!"

• nck...
• April 12, 2010

Benicar (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."

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2009

Benicar (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."

• 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!"

• Tra...
• October 16, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure was controlled at 120/80, but after 18 months on Benicar, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (not good). So to remedy the UC, I had to take a drug that cost $8,000 per year because doctors did not know at the time that Benicar causes UC in some people. I think people should be aware of this very bad side effect before starting Benicar."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2010

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Switched over to Benicar from lisinopril (which caused horrendous body jolting chronic cough). Cough has disappeared, blood pressure averages 116/74 to 124/80 maximum. Feel great, mild sleepiness by end of day - a plus - could not sleep well before, also constipation has disappeared. Cramping in legs below knees at night...somewhat like side effects of statin. Will check with doctor...this is my 2nd week of Benicar...took lisinopril for a month. Hope this continues to work. If I miss a dose, I become keenly aware. Seems to take effect within an hour. I feel much better and blood pressure readily stabilizes."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Benicar for 12 years and was switched to a generic last January 2017. I could tell no difference until they switched the generic to olmesartan in May 2017. My blood pressure was up 10-15 points, and I experienced lightheadedness to the point of blacking out twice after taking it for 10 days. My insurance will not pay for Benicar. I've tried all 5 of the medications my insurance will pay for. My doctor was about to add a third pill to the medication just to control my blood pressure. I'm running out of options."

• Maj...
• September 3, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Suffered severe, crippling migraines on a regular basis. Doctor put me on olmesartan 40 mg three times a day, and the migraines gradually went away completely. Tapered off, the migraines came back. Started back on, migraines went away again. I do not have high blood pressure, and taking olmesartan has only lowered my blood pressure slightly. Been on olmesartan now for four years."

• Dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2019

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Benicar 40 mg and amlodipine 5 mg for 2 weeks. BP is slowly dropping, but I'm having erection problems... I'm thinking that it is the amlodipine because I've had that problem with it before. Remember, guys, any diuretic is likely to cause impotence in men, so if it has HCTZ behind it... it's a diuretic. I'm going to just stop taking the amlodipine and see if that works."

• Dav...
• September 8, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Olmesartan keeps my high blood pressure under control but causes me to suffer nasal passage congestion and post-nasal drip, irritating my throat constantly. I finally figured it out that it had to be the olmesartan when I read the reviews about its side effects. Now I am going to consult with my FP about a new medication that will work without the terrible side effects I have experienced."

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2011

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "My PCP started me on Benicar 20 mgs/12.5 HCTZ on November 30th. My blood pressure before I took the medication was 145/84, after that, it's 135/83-138/85. So far, the only side effect I've had is occasional facial flushing. I'll keep monitoring to see how it goes after a full three months on it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Len...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 26, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "62 yr old woman. Took brand name Benicar for several years, it did control my BP, but I'm very nearly bald, every joint I have is painful, tinnitus... all of this after I began Benicar. My insurance will not cover brand anymore, was changed to generic from Alembic Pharma last yr, not as good a control as brand, but still worked. Now can't get it and was changed in January to generic from Glenmark Pharm, now my lower blood pressure number won't go below 90!"

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2023

Benicar (olmesartan) for High Blood Pressure "Been taking Benicar 20mg for 6 months. Dreadful side effects. Digestive problems all the time. Chronic pains in limbs and back. Have gained ten lbs though I am eating less. Difficulty walking. Meeting a cardiologist on Monday to come off this poison. It did not control my bp. Couldn’t stop sleeping and it smell is disgusting."

• Old...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 20, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have taken both olmesartan (Benicar) and losartan (generic angiotensin II receptor antagonists) to replace earlier ACE inhibitor drugs, which invariably caused a chronic cough for me. I went off Benicar in 2015 because my insurance designated it as non-preferred, and it was extremely expensive, but I have recently discovered that it is now available as a generic. Olmesartan has given me better and more stable control of moderately elevated blood pressure than losartan."

• 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."