Olmesartan Medoxomil Data Demonstrate Efficacy in Stage 1 and 2...

Anna Jo wrote:

An addition to my previous note about Benicar. I have discovered that Benicar itself does not have sulfa it is the Benicar HCT that contains sulfa. Sorry about that

Anna Jo wrote:

Keith:
Since you are a pharmacist I will certainly bow to your greater knowledge about medications. My point of reference is as follows:

The prescribing information for BENICAR HCT also includes the following warnings regarding its hydrochlorothiazide component at least it warns about hypersenitivity to sulfa in Benicar HCT:

"BENICAR HCT is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment and is contraindicated in patients with anuria or hypersensitivity to other sulfonamide-derived drugs."

As I said the sulfa was probably in the Hydrochlorothiazide component. If it warns about being contraindicated for those hypersensitivity to sulfonamide-derived drugs, Then I believe those alergic to sulfa should avoid it. As I alluded Benicar itself does not contain sulfa. Maybe the HCT does not either but still-----.

mary jane wrote:

<quoted text>I have been on benicar for about a year,and I also have the terrible dry cough, I too have been experiencing chest tightness and I will be having a stress test april 20,2006 as a precautionary measure, I have had many sinus related problems, I have asked my doctor to change my medication to something other than Benicar, which he plans on doing after my stress test, I would have been off this medication long ago except most blood pressure meds give me a terrible cough 95% of the day and benicar does control my blood pressure. The dry cough in the morning and the recurring sinus problems have finally got the better of me and it's time to try something else.

Keith wrote:

<quoted text>
As a Pharmacist, I can assure you that Benicar HCT does not have any sulfa.

barbaralastrina wrote:

<quoted text>
I had exactly the same symptoms. Finally, after four months on the medication, I woke up with a swollen face, chest tightness and that terrible dry cough at night. Cough disappeared. Doctor took me off Benicar and put me on Sular which is a calcium channel blocker. Have been on it for a week, lowered blood pressure, but I notice the last two nights, I have started coughing again. Side effects list that a cough is a possible side effect. I am beginning to wonder if cough is not a side effect of all of these hypertensives. Doctors don't like to listen to patients. My doctor was convinced my cough and chest tightness was from allergies, sinus or GERD. So much for that. It was only after my face became swollen that he decided to change meds. I am not hopeful with this medication. This is the fifth try. Very frustrating. I would talk to your doctor and tell him that you didn't have these symptoms pre Benicar. I also talked to the manufacturer and they advised me that since Benicar acts on the bradykins, it can cause a dry cough in susceptible individuals and is definitely a side effect. Like you, I was anxious about what was going on in my body and what long term effects it would have. Keep in touch.

barbara lastrina wrote:

Is there anyone out there on this thread that has experienced side effects from Benicar?

Keith wrote:

In my opinion, this drug is dangerous. It causes very eratic BP ranging from extremely low to normal. My BP may drop so low that I can hardly move, then from 4-5 hrs later BP is normal. If this happens while I am driving, I can feel it and have to stop. I have cut my dosage in half which helped for a time. Now, even that dosage is causing problem. this drug can have a cumulative effect.

Zelda wrote:

This is the problem I am having with Benicar. I started out with 40 mg which was too strong. Now I'm taking 20 mg. at night, along with 30 mg. of procardia in the morning. When I feel weak, I check my BP and it has dropped to about 85/54 or something similar. I have to rest for about half an hour and then it returns to about 90/60. I didn't have this problem before taking Benicar. I also experience a tightness in the chest area at times.

Leslie wrote:

<quoted text>I started taking Benicar about 3 weeks ago and took it for approximately 10 days. I stopped taking it 1 week ago. I had severe flu-like aches in every muscle in my body. My blood pressure dropped to 105/50 and I couldn't stand up without almost passing out. On top of all that, I was so depressed I was scared and so was my husband that I might be suicidal. It seemed all these symptoms started slowly and then just got worse and worse. I have been off of it for 1 week and I'm just now getting my energy back, the aches have stopped, and my mental state has improved enormously. I have not been able to talk to my doctor yet, but I don't think I'll go back on Benicar.

Connie wrote:

I am so glad to find this forum! I am new to researching drugs and their reactions. I have recently gone off Diovan HCT 160. I have never in my life felt so bad on a medication. When I spoke to my doctor about the numbness in the exptremeties, headaches, rash, flu-like symptoms and dizziness every single day for over a month, I was told that these were acceptable side effects! I finally, after another week, called and said that I had one dose of Diovan left and it would be a two months until my appt. I could either have another med or I would discontinue everything until I could see him again. He got the picture and changed me to Benicar 40mg. I am scared to take it after reading everyone's comments. I suffer from clinical depression also and have a dismal time when I am on these BP meds. Does anybody have a history like mine...with clinical depression and an anxiety disorder? I'd like to hear your thoughts. Also, the comments on changing doctors almost makes me chuckle. I have looked for almost six months to find the doctor who would see me...most around here are not taking new patients. The last doctor I had made me wait months for appts.
Can anybody reassure me about this Benicar before I start taking it?

Margie wrote:

<quoted text> I took Benicar four months earlier in this year( and no longer take it) and experienced shortness of breath, uncontrollable BP, blinding headaches, back pain, joint pain,waking up with chest discomfort and kidney problems. I have been to cardiologist and it is not the heart. I have had renel falure twice this year and doctors have related it could be directly related to the Benicar. "WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS THAT ARE NOW PERMANENT DAMAGE". My advice to you or anyone taking this medication is to never start or to stop. I understand that it can be a life saving drug in extreme cases as far as the drugs goes. If it were someone that I knew or family or friends or just someone that ask about this drug I would say take a chance on anoother drug or nothing. But research before you start taking them. Good luck with the doctor search. Hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Margie