Benicar and Shortness Of Breath: What Users Say

• LYN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was given Benicar 20 mg in Jan 2020 for BP. I was on it 10 days then was rushed to the hospital with severe chest pains and difficulty breathing. I was kept for 'observation' while stress tests were done. All good thank goodness, but the chest pains remained. Then I read the 'more serious side effects'... chest pains was #2!!! Don't give me a pill that is going to cause more problems and less quality of life!!!"

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

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."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Benicar was not a good medication for me. I experienced awful side effects. Stiffening of the body, very painful joint pain especially at night, leg pain, daily stomach pains (thought I had cancer), chest pains, diarrhea, bloating, difficulty in walking, could barely walk a block without getting out of breath and needed an inhaler. I had swelling of tongue, face, feet, weight gain, and some depression due to dealing with all these issues. One day after seeing my reflection in a large window at work, I was shocked to see how hunched I was and full of pain. I was never like this and how did this happen? I started to believe I must be aging. I realized the only change in life was this medication and insisted it be switched. Once removed, the critical side effects stopped except for ongoing digestive issues."

• Diz...
• July 13, 2015

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..."

• God...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking a different pill at first, but my doctor decided it wasn't working to lower my pressure enough, so they said we are going to try you on this one. I took one the next day since I had already taken my old pill. The first day, the pill did lower my blood pressure with no problems. The second day I took it, my pressure was still at a good number. I did not notice that later when I tried to sleep, I couldn't. Each time I would fall asleep, it was hard for me to breathe, and a few times that I woke up, my heart was beating differently, and I had some pain in my chest. I won't be taking this medication anymore. I will lower it the natural way by watching what I eat, walking, and with God's help, I will be just fine."

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "BP dropped over 100 pts for systolic and diastolic pressures after ONE dose of 20/12.5 Benicar HCT. No side effects at all. Has remained below 120/78 for a week at two daily dosages of 20/12.5 AM and PM. Shortness of breath is gone, all leg and feet swelling is gone, and no increase in frequency of urination. Absolutely no side effects and BP taken twice a day, AM and PM is around 113/63."

• Mik...
• July 24, 2016

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."

• ACE...
• July 14, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "Just started this medication. I am 26/M in fairly good shape, work out 4 to 5 times a week, so I don't really know why my blood pressure is high, but anyway. Took my 2nd dose yesterday, jogged this morning at the gym, and hit 'the wall' HARD. Felt short of breath and chest pain. Maybe this will go away once I get used to the medication. PS: taking 20 mg."