Olmesartan User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• BP ...
• September 10, 2008

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I have been using Benicar for six years at 20 mg once per day, and I have very good readings. I also do not have the side effects I was getting using a diuretic type BP medicine. Never again will I use one of those. Benicar was a godsend for me as I am allergic to ACE inhibitors."

• 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."

• 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."

• LII...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor moved me onto Olmesartan after my BP did not respond well enough to the previous drug. I experienced loose bowels as soon as I started on Olmesartan, but stuck with it as it did a bang-up job on getting my BP down, and online reviews stated that these symptoms could last a couple to three weeks. Sure enough, after three weeks, no more problems! I did communicate with my doctor about the symptoms after a week, but told him that I wanted to stay the course and see if the symptoms would quit quickly. Glad I stuck it out and love this drug!"

• 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."

• rgs...
• March 4, 2009

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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• June 21, 2010

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!"

• big...
• February 4, 2011

Olmesartan for High Blood Pressure "I had been taking Diovan for several years, and it worked well, but the cost became prohibitive ($120 a month), so my doctor switched me to Benicar HTZ. Benicar HTZ worked almost too well, and my blood pressure frequently was in the 109/50s. After about a month, I began noticing a lack of sex drive and then soft erections. I have since switched back to Diovan."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• August 2, 2010

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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Hea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 17, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking this medication 15 years ago. I've had to take a reflux tablet too since commencing this, but I'm unsure if it was related. All in all, it has kept my BP in the normal range. I'm just starting to get slight raises now in BP after 15 years."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 16, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "When I was 230 lbs, I felt like olmesartan was marginal at best. I would typically have readings of about 146/90. I've had a recent weight increase, and even with an atenolol supplement, I'm at a dangerous level (180/100). I need to get off of this and find one that works."

• 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."