Benicar

I hurt so bad I can hardly move. It is awful. If I am sitting and then try to stand I can barely move.
I walk like a really old person. I think its from benicar. But, when I try to come off of it. I end up
with high B/P and swelling in the feet and legs. I do not know what to do.

Doctor put me on Benicar 40 mg. 1/2 tab. 4 months ago. Started getting really sleepy in the afternoons not too long after starting medication, but didn't think anything about it at first. Then about 2 to 2 1/2 months into taking the med, I developed severe lower back pain, first on one side then the other. Thought I was developing kidney disease at first, but then pain got less severe and has quit. Unfortuately the sleepiness is now ALL the time, even upon waking up. Have found myself falling asleep while on the keyboard at work and once at a stop light felt like I was "drifting off". Hair is coming out by the brush-full and I have ringing in my ears all the time! Blood pressure is well controlled, but I can't live with these side effects - none of which I had before going on this medication. I will not be taking it any more after reading some of the other notes posted here and will ask my doc for something else.

I was prescribed Benicar 20mg to augment Atenolol 50 mg. Both taken in the morning and noted an increase in heart rate >110bpm, and atrial /ventricular arrythmias. This began occuring on the 4th day of combination treatment. Benicar was discontinued and HTCZ 25mg
added to the atenolol 50. To date, the b/p and arrythmias are fine. I must add that verapamil
also gave me tachycardia and unstable b/p, the more they upped the doseage, the worse my symptoms became.

have leg cramps, feet cramps what will happen if i quit them, i have missed 4 days and am feeling fine

i have polycystic kidney disease,3weeks ago my gfr was 50 and creatine 1.4,my gp put me on benicar 20mg.in addition to my metrepolol,amd norvasc,gfrdropped to 46,and creatine rose to 1.6 in only3 weeks on this drug,i am not going to take it anymore.isee kidney specialist in 3 weeks.it has lowered bp buti i feel if i stay on it i will need dialysis in about four months at this rate,rather then 4 yrs at the rate it was declining before benicar,any thoughts

I am weak all over. I am peeing once every hour. I have blurry vision. The gastritis is killing me. I take Benicar 40/25 but I am going to the doctor today because of the weakness. Also will not be taking my pill today.

I'M ALWAYS HAVING ACHY PAINS, EVERYWHERE ESPECIALLY IN MY LEGS(THE TIB-FIB PART).
SOMETIMES I'M DIARRHEA,BUT MOST OF THE TIMES IT'S CONSTIPATION.WHAT CAN I DO?

BUT OVER ALL THE BENICAR HELP MY PRESSURE TO STAY DOWN, IT'S VERY EFFCTIVE TO ME.I THINK I'D RATHER LIVE WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE ,AND JUST KEEP MY BLOOD PRESSURE NORMAL.

I have been on benicar for almost 9 months - last 6 months I'm tired all the time. and for past 6 months I have a lot of indigestion and periodic hiccups - anyone else experiencing this?

my side effects at 40mg's leg muscle cramps , swollen ankles, toes draw

Yes I feel like my calves are goign to pull. It's very painful soemtimes.

I'm the same way... I can't stay awake. It started about a week into taking Benicar. I slept for the last 2 days & I'm fighting off sleep today!

I have been on benicar 40-12.5 HCT for 8-10 yrs. I have had idiopathic peripheral neuropathy for 3-4 yrs.

my sex driver is very low!
Why?

I am tired all the time. If I'm not working I'm sleeping. I don't want to go anywhere or see anybody. This is not normal for me. It all started when I started taking Benicar. Could this be the Benicar blood pressure medicine?

I have  been on benicar for a week and am having headaches and pain that shoots up my right arm. 

I have been having trouble since January. Finally got off Benicar in July only to find out that the pain in my thighs, calves, lower back, hip are from knots that formed on my muscles causing severe muscle cramps and knee bending spasms. Couldn't even get out of bed by myself 4th of July weekend. My liver enzymes were taken down to low levels by the Benicar. Liver couldn't handle it sending the toxins into my muscles. I have been taking plant based enzymes, having trigger point treatments to keep the pain under control, coffee enemas to cleanse the liver and cleanse the blood. Four months and I am finally functional to a point. I am wondering just how long it will take to repair the damage! GET OFF THAT STUFF!!!!!

To Midwest Lady, did you ever get your sharp shooting pain in thighs and burning sensation checked out.  I too have that and been on benicar.  Had xrays and nerve test done all came out negative.  I think it is the benicar. Wondering what results you have received?

Rash developed after taking 40mg dose of benicar in less than one month period.  Extreme itch with red rash occur from leg up toward upper body. Cramp developed, walking with limping action.

I am having severe thigh pain that I think is related to Benicar.  I have cramps in my calves and am now having sharp shooting pains in my thighs on the inside and outside and near the surface of my skin.  Sometimes it feels like a burning sensation.  Will be going to the Dr. tomorrow, but I feel sure that Benicar is the reason for the pain.

been on Benicar for around three months. Weight gain-feeling lethargic-indigestion(extreme)and muscle aches. sleeplessness is very common also. I have not changed my diet(and probably should) but my blood pressure is very good. I have been on Lizinapril for about two years and developed a cough that wouldn't clear up. Doctor said this was a common side-effect with lizinapril.

Having extreme pain in musckes of armsand upper back

My exprience with Benicar was that I became a sleepy head.  Within a few hours of taking Benicar I fell asleep profoundly and was like a solid rock.  At the beginning I took it early in the morning, and then I fell asleep at work on top of my keyboard.  Driving became very dangerous for me.  Benicar kept my blood pressure totally under control, but it made me become a very sleepy person, especially every time I was seated quietly.

I AM A 82 YEAR OLD CAUCASIAN LADY, I HAVE NO DIBEATIES AND AM IN GOOD HEALTH  SO FAR EXCEPT FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE .. MY DOCTOR PUT ME ON 20 MILIGRAMS OF "BENICAR"  APP: THREE YEARS AGO BUT HAD TO INCREASE IT TO 40 MILIGRAMS  BECAUSE THE 20 MILIGRAMS WAS NOT CONTROLLING  IT ..  I TAKE  40 MILIGRAMS OF "BENICAR" WITH A 12 MILIGRAM "DIURETIC"  AND A "BABY ASPRIN"  ONCE A DAY IN THE MORMING  AT  APP: 8: A.M. AFTER ARISING  AND MY BLOOD PRESSURE READING RUNS AROUND 124/57.... I ALSO TAKE MY BLOOD PRESSURE AGAIN AT APP: 6:P. M. AND THE READING IS APP: THE SAME  .... SOOOOO FAR I HAVE NOT FELT ANY UNUSUAL SYMPTONS THAT I CAN TELL,  IT SEEMS TO BE CONTROLLING MY BLOOD PRESSURE VERY WELL  ....   

how ironic i should read this today. i'm a nearly 40 yr old female right now 135 pounds and have been on and off benicar since 2000 also. a few yrs later diagnosed with MS and fibromyalgia. in the beginning, i was on 20 mg of benicar and also a water pill HCTZ. i lost weight through the years and started blacking out from my blood pressure being too low. so i went off the benicar on my own. i am talking low blood pressure like 90/60 and sometimes lower than that. if i had continued taking it, i would have ended up dead. suddenly a few weeks ago thought i was having a heart attack, you know chest pain the whole bit and BP through the roof...200/146 in the ambulance. turned out i did not have a heart attack although my EKG was abnormal. they have me on benicar again even though i requested something different. since i have started it back up i can no longer do what i used to. i cant stand up more than 5 minutes or even make dinner. i am nearly useless i am so weak. i looked up benicar drug interactions on the internet and it says it should not be taken with a low salt diet or with a diet high in potassium - that is the diet they have me on because my potassium was low in the hospital. i need a new doctor....

i will second that - the no lisinopril! i tried it because i could get it so cheap at walmart ($4) and it caused my blood pressure to go UP, chest pain, palpitations, i felt like i was having a heart attack.

I began taking Benicar in 2000.  It's been a roller coaster ride since that time!  My symptoms have been numerous to include, fibromyalgia, dizziness, fainting, increased heart rate, swollen ankles, chronic fatigue, dry eyes/mouth, muscle cramps/weakness, exercize intolerance,insomnia, hypotension when standing, bood glucose increased, weight gain, chest pain, cough, coeliac disease, chronic thirst, nausea, bloating, decreased libido, drowsiness, swelling in legs, heaviness in arms, restlessness, tightness in chest, shortness of breath, and inability to function.  Need I say this drug has not been my friend?  To make matters worse another doctor prescribed Norvasc which is a deadly drug and caused irreversable vascular damage if taken 6 weeks+.  Thankfully I was taken off that drug in time, but went back on Benicar.  I am in the process of looking into other natural options such as Marvlix.  I am detoxing off ambien cr, lipitor, and omeprazole (prilosec).  These also have dangerous chemicals and contributed to my illness.  My doctor is working up a plan which may include infared sauna to aid in the detoxification.  It's been a long ten years and I am definately seeking wellness.  Best wishes to all of you in your journey to recovered health. 

In addition to my first comments I also have had burning and redness in my feet.  I hope to get my blood pressure under control without the Benicar.  Benicar does keep my pressure under control.

I have been on 20 mg of benicar for over a year.  I have soreness through out my body, dry cough and it is getting worse.  I have decided to take 10mg eat no salt and see if that helps.  I have just been to the doctor and he just brushed it off with no comment. I am almost positive that my symtoms are from this drug.  I just had blood work done with no problems showing.

Yes I have experienced GI issues with diarrhea and burning stools.  Was placed on GERD medication and did not help.

Has anyone experienced diarrhea and extreme burning with bowel movement. Both arms feel very heavy at times.

Just started taking it, 20mg/day. Started feeling dizzy especially when I get up fast. Also on a low dose of Zoloft which is suppose to have a bad interaction with Benicar. Will be stopping the Zoloft. some feelings of rapid heart beating as well.

cough swollen ankles and feet -redness and burning of same

whatever you do dont take lisinopril!.  type in side effects for lisinopril in a search engine and you will see what i mean.  i felt like i was dying for a very long time and when i stopped taking lisinopril i have become a different person.  this is poison! plain and simple.  be careful.

Benicar worked well for about a year...then I began to experience weight gain, sore and stiff muscles, excessive fatigue, eyes  were red/scratchy/burning, trouble sleeping and after two years the coughing began.  My doctor did not think the Benicar was causing the cough and wanted me to remain on Benicar.  I stopped taking it and my coughing stopped and I started sleeping better but still have the sore and stiff muscles, the excessive fatigue and the eye problems.  I have been off the Benicar approx. 18 months.

Rapid heartbeats, many trips to ER.

Rapid heartbeats, many trips to ER, should be taken off market!!!!

I am taking benecar 50mg hct, My ankles and feet are swollen twice the size, I elevated my feet and drank more fluids, they are still swollen, I am to see my doctor tuesday,

fatigue, hard time lifting my arms. 

I am very fatigued. I get dry eye (dehydration from the HCT in it) which results in itchy eye and compounds into torn vessels from rubbing/scratching the eye. I use a lot of natural tears to keep my eyes hydrated. I feel like an old person every time I go to get up out of my chair. I am 53 and active. I work out and stay abnormally sore for long periods. Any exercise I do creates immediate abnormal stiffness and aching in the joints and muscles so bad I have had to resort to a narcotic type pain reliever. Some days I want to be in a wheel chair instead of trying to walk.
I am requesting my Physician take me off Benicar and try something else.
He has sent me to specialists for all types of test for arthritis etc, but I came off the Benicar for 5 days and felt much better, even though my blood pressure was around 140/85. The Benicar is way over priced as well vs lisinopril, which I want to try. The Benicar with my co-pay is over 10 times what Lisinopril is without Co-pay.
Thanks for listening.

I definately have experienced the foot swelling.  I have to take my shoes off in the office every afternoon.  I have the foot cramps sometimes at night.  I have to stretch every night and massage the soles of my feet before gettting into bed.

Muscle tenderness on both side of my head like cramping ,,, it feel like a headache.  Also, excercise intolerance... I fatigue very easily.

cough

MedCo also gave me problems and when I called them I finally put together my persistent coughing with Benicar.  I had no idea the Benicar was causing the coughing; it never dawned on me BP medication could do that and I was never told of that as a side effect.  I was given a heavier dose of Benicar at first and my head felt like it was going to explode.  I was then given a heavier dosage of Norvasc and my legs turned as red as a fire hydrant and they burned.  I realize everyone is different but now that I've finally looked at these internet sites it seems there are plenty of people to support the side effect claims.  It's time for a conference with the doc - he initially dismissed my coughing claim a couple years ago - it's going to be a different conversation this time. 

Hair loss?  Anyone else with this symptom??

Weight gain of 25 lbs.  Normally weigh 120.  Os tjos possible

leg and foot cramps caugh no sleep

benicar leg and foot cramps swelling in feet. hard to sleep the problems were more intence on exforge

What is the problem with Bneicar? Medco is making me jump through hoops. I've been on the medication for several years with no problesm. Benicar was prescribed after I suffered excessive fatigue with several other medications for myhypertensions

Darla, I did not experience cough with Benicar, but my doctor told me that ARB's like Benicar can cause this in some people -- though far less frequently than the related Ace Inhibitor class. I had no known side effects with Benicar except for one rather troubling one, namely frequent postural hypotension (sudden drop in BP upon standing, which can cause dizziness or even fainting or near-fainting). Probably worse because my BP was often low-normal to begin with.

Has anyone experienced a cough form this drug? A dry, non productive, persisting at times, cough?