User Reviews for Benicar HCT oral

I'm 33y/o, 5'7", 150# male, blood chem all perfect but diagnosed with hypertension (genetics) since I was 28y/o. I exercise atleast 4 times a week (light weights lifting and playing basketball, sometimes biking and tennis). Have taken Losartan and Losartan HCTZ that I have outgrown, my body got immuned to them I think. Then I was prescribed w/ Benicar HCT 40mg/25mg. On the 4th day taking this benicar, while playing basketball, I experienced leg cramping like I had when I first started on Losartan HCTZ. I checked my BP that night, had a lowest reading of 101/52. I felt some mild lightheadedness but felt OK overall. But on the 6th day of taking this Benicar, I experienced a very severe cramping while playing basketball which started from my thighs up to my torso! Driven home by a friend, cramps continued at home and in dire agony I asked my wife to take me to the hospital. In the ER I was given intravenous rehydration and after 4hrs was released. I know very well and I had muscle cramps before but that time it was so severe that really frightened the hell out of me, I could not breathe because almost my whole body except from the neck up were cramping alternately. I am kind of pain tolerant but it was so severe cramping and pain that I have never experienced before. It was like a very bad nightmare that still frightens me up to now (happened 4days ago while writing this review), I thought I was already having "rigor mortis" while still alive =), also that experience kinda changed something in me I could not explain or maybe I just have not yet fully recovered from what happened. I guess for active persons, be very extra careful while taking this Benicar HCT. I just started taking Azor and hoping this med will work out good on me.Read More Read Less

too frequent urination, fainting, legs ND FEET BURNING AND PAIN WHEN WALKING, upset stomach and dizziness. My Doctor says I have to take it.

53 years old. Very heathy until recenet hernia surgury. Dr. perscribed as my first bp med even though that is not what the manufacturer suggest, she took no blood, did not tests at all. Side effects are awful - joint and muscle pain, constant itchy scalp, neck pain what I thought was a pinched nerve and it is severe. Have now for the first time ever developed bleeding hemmoroids. Unusual bleeding is a side effect- only knew that through my own research. Went back to the dr. - all she did was want to schedule surgery? Need to get off this drug it is awful, time for a new Doctor and I am making every attempt to lower my bp with diet, exercise and healthy eating.Read More Read Less

causes insomnia

I have been on this medication for approximately 7 years. It has reduced my blood pressure effectively, however I did gain weight and began losing my hair, as well as having my cholesterol go very high. Recently however, I began having diarrhea, loss of appetitive, and nausea. After 5 weeks I ended up in the emergency room severely dehydrated along with low potassium, low blood pressure, and renal failure. After recovering for about 10 days my BP went up so I took 1 dose of Benicar 20 HCT and within an hour began violently vomiting and had diarrhea for about 6 hours. The same thing happened 2 weeks later after my BP spiked again. I have no doubt that I developed an intolerance to this medication, since I am not on any other medications. Read More Read Less

I have been taking this medication for almost 10 years. Three years ago, I started exercising. I thought, the exercise plus the use of benicar might help reduce or somewhat-cure my hypertension problem. It did not, and I consulted my doctor and started taking half the prescribed dose. The hypertension was under control even I have been taken half the doseage. I am not sure if it was due to exercise or due to the medicine. I will keep checkng my blood pressure, and check back later.

After switching from lisinopril which cause me to nearly lose a lung coughing, I started on Benicar. Fow a couple weeks I was thrilled. Kept my BP perfect. Then the cough started along with constant runny nose. But the cough progressed to so hard you gag and see stars. I had to quit for that reason. BP was fine but the cough was killing me.

Had to discontinue as my insurance would not cover the cost

I believe its causing hair loss ....and a constant itch/tingling of scalp

Recently have become dehydrated although I drink ample amounts of water daily. Pulse is still high and now i'm concerned about long term use effects.

I have been using this drug for 5 years and now my insurance refuses to pay for it and it is so expensive that I cannot afford it anymore.

Been on it for two years. Only problems are price and can't be out in the sun for ling periods of time.

itworks for me,as of now but who knows for the future.

It worked great for me. Keept BP down. It is a top tier on my insurance. Dry cough. Swelling legs, final straw was when I started loosing my hair. Been off it for 6 months now hair is back.

blood pressure was 188/92 was put on Benicar HCT. I am experiencing severe numbness in the my face, tingling in my ears,eyelids,nose,lips,feet cramping and ringing in the ears. Your posted comments have enlightened very much. Will see Dr. to change med. I thought I had some unknown disease

Becoming increasingly forgetful and disoriented.

ringing in the ears one of the draw backs

I had spiking episodes during work, then I retired. I have severe arm pain, so I researched my statin, Crestor, and now Benicar HCT. During my research I find that either of these could be the culprit. I take prempro and paxil. I got a shot of cortisone in my arms 21 days ago, no pain anywhere. I will re-integrate the meds slowly to see which is the culprit. I think no meds is better than the side effects...My bp is not too high now that I retired. 140/80!