Benicar

[Charlotte]

I have just switched from Benicar to Dyazide. Has anyone else had a problem with weight gain on Benicar. I too stopped the Benicar for a couple of days before going to the Doctor to have my medication changed and had swollen ankles and feet. I went back on Benicar and made an appointment with the Doctor and he switched me to Dyazide as mentioned before. He told me he believed the Benicar caused my dry hacking cough but had never heard of it causing weight gain. I was hungry all the time and gained 8 lbs in the amount of time I was on the drug. After taking my new medicine, my appetite has gone back to normal and I have lost 4 lbs. Just checking to see if anyone else has had both problems.

[Magnolia _Abq NM]

steven b wrote:

Good morning. I understand from your posts that you are all currently taking Benicar. As you may know, the FDA recently issued a "Warning Letter" to the company that manufactures and sells Benica (Sankyo Pharma) advising them that the sales materials used by the company are false and misleading. Those materials according to the FDA contain unsubstantiated claims of effectiveness and omit and minimize risks associated with the drug.
I am an attorney in Washington, D.C. who formerly worked for the federal government. I am now investigating the practices of Sankyo Pharma in connection with their sale of Benicar for consumers. In connection with that investigation, it would be very helpful if you could contact my office to discuss your experience with this medication.
If you have any questions or are interested, please contact my office.
Thank you for your cooperation
Steven Berk, Chavez & Gertler, Washington, DC

I am astonished to read the posted comments about Benicar. I have had the very same issues: sinus infections, face pain, severe headaches from the sinus issues, and the hacking, dry cough. I have dangerous elevated blood pressure so I must take medication. Help! Tks, Magnolia, Albuquerque, NM

[John Norotn]

Edna wrote:

I have been takin benicar for about 2 years but i think i am having a reaction to this medication . i have severe itiching and i have had upper resitory problems. Than you. Edna

I have experienced the same side effects to the point that my doctor sent me to the Mayo Clinic because he feared I had scleraderma due to the horrible side effects that my skin was experiencing. As well as the respiratory and muscular side effects. I've beenaking this med for 10 years and it will not allow me to get off it. When I slowly withdraw from it and finally cease taking it I end up in the hospital from the horrible withdrawal effects. [e-mail]

[roy]

I have expierienced an unexplained weight gain
in the last year or so on benicar hct
moon face and all.
has anyone else noted this as well?
How do I get off this stuff?
My doctor only wants to argue.

[Always Montana]

I've only been on Benicar for a little over a week. I'm 47 and developed an ear infection, plus have a constant runny nose. Haven't had an ear infection since I was a tiny girl!! Also feel dizzy, totally exausted, and the nausea. I also feel as though I have trouble putting my thoughts together sometimes.
Last night, I suffered my first nightmare since taking this drug, and I couldn't go back to sleep for a couple of hours. I was on a beta blocker years ago, and the only side effect was a feeling of calmness. I'm starting to think Benicar is a wicked drug!

[Benicar Sufferer]

How can we contact you?

steven b wrote:

Good morning. I understand from your posts that you are all currently taking Benicar. As you may know, the FDA recently issued a "Warning Letter" to the company that manufactures and sells Benica (Sankyo Pharma) advising them that the sales materials used by the company are false and misleading. Those materials according to the FDA contain unsubstantiated claims of effectiveness and omit and minimize risks associated with the drug.
I am an attorney in Washington, D.C. who formerly worked for the federal government. I am now investigating the practices of Sankyo Pharma in connection with their sale of Benicar for consumers. In connection with that investigation, it would be very helpful if you could contact my office to discuss your experience with this medication.
If you have any questions or are interested, please contact my office.
Thank you for your cooperation
Steven Berk, Chavez & Gertler, Washington, DC

[Denise]

I am hypertensive and my doctor put me on Benicar. I was on the drug for a year and the last two month's I developed a dry cough, chest tightness and severe respiratory infections like I've never had before, and my hair is much thinner than before. I read a number of articles related to Benicar and asked my doctor ro remove me from the drug (because of the respiratory issues) and put me on something else. It took several weeks, but the cough went away, and I haven't had another respirtory infection (other than normal sinus/allergy issues I have every year).

About a year ago, my father was a robust, energetic 73 year old man that raises chickens and plants a huge garden every year. His doctor put him on Benicar. Within a few months, at garden time, my father developed severe COPD (he hasn't smoked in 5 years or so) which has literally taken the wind out of him. He decided during the gardening season that this was going to be his last garden because it was too difficult for him to manage. He's never had respiratory issues of this severity before. My sister, an RN, thought it might be the Benicar and told him to speak to his doctor about going on a different medication, and she told him THAT's what I want you on. So my father stopped taking the medication against medical advice and his doctor finally relented and changed his medication. It's been a few weeks, and his respiratory problem has improved quite a bit.

If someone isn't investigating this, I hope they will before a lot of people die. It appears to be the doctors drug of choice these days.

[Denise_Sanford_M I]

I just wanted to add a note to my last post (#47 incorrectly placing me in IL), that my new doctor took me off Benicar and put my on Hydrochlorothiazide and I haven't had a problem since. The difference?$69 a month -- the Hydrochlorothiazide is $4 a month compared to $73 for the Benicar.
I'm noticing a pattern in that it appears from some of these postings that the doctors are reluctant to remove their patients from Benicar, I have a thought running through my head about that, but don't dare write it down in an online posting.

[Sherri]

I have been on Benicar, 20 mg.,since August. I am also a depression sufferer. I have slowly noticed that my attitude had been horrible and the fatigue I have been experiencing is absolutely horrific. I have had B-12 shots and even switched depression medicines thinking something was really wrong. Today, like a light bulb went on, I realized my chronic fatigue, back aches, join pain, sore calves, etc..., might be related to Benicar. Today is my last day to take this medicine!!!

[ann]

I have been on Benicar for about two years. I have had increased joint pain during this time. Lately, for about the past 3 months I have had very wierd anxiety like feelings when I try to go to sleep. I take my Benicar at bedtime, and when I don't take Benicar I am fine at night. It has gotten so bad with even taking deep breathes sometimes feels like a chore. I don't want to take Benicar anymore.

[MAN HAT TAN MAN]

I have been on Benicar for three months. I am quitting as of Monday. The same doc also had me on Bystolic and Hydralazine. The main problem with the Benicar was that it made it very hard to swallow...even a small amount of water. This doctor (a nice, caring man whom I have no rancor for) is a little pill happy....after all Benicar, Bystolic, and Hydralazine....I think that's overkill. I am seeing another doc Tuesday. Of all three of those (Benicar, Bystolic, Hydralazine) I have CHRONIC side effects of dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, and difficulty swallowing. Who says this crap "enhances quality of life anyway?"

[Helen]

I have been on benicar HCT for 9 months. I do have COPD contolled with inhalers. All winter i had a congested cough which was new. Put on antibiotics which did not help. Recently cough got more severe with clear muscus. and shortness of breath. Was hard to cut my grass and do gardening. My house work has suffered. Also had mid back spine pain.also wheezing coming from throat not lungs. After reading all the othe posts, I stopped taking it.It's been 2 days and I see a slight inprovement. Dr. doesn't know, but will see him shortly.

[jjf]

Helen wrote:

I have been on benicar HCT for 9 months. I do have COPD contolled with inhalers. All winter i had a congested cough which was new. Put on antibiotics which did not help. Recently cough got more severe with clear muscus. and shortness of breath. Was hard to cut my grass and do gardening. My house work has suffered. Also had mid back spine pain.also wheezing coming from throat not lungs. After reading all the othe posts, I stopped taking it.It's been 2 days and I see a slight inprovement. Dr. doesn't know, but will see him shortly.

I've been on Benicar for 6 weeks and have had a dry cough for 2 weeks. Also occasional chest tightness and lack of energy. Felt like I had the flu but it didn't get better. Went to the doctor and she said I might have a sinus infection so now I'm on Zithromax. I never had such an annoying cough before. Every time I take slightly deep breath it makes me cough and I cough a lot at night and during the day. I dare not go anywhere without a water bottle and cough drops. If the cough isn't gone within a few days of ending the Zithromax I'm getting off this stuff. Only problem is that I've looked up the side effects of all the BP medications and not one of them sounds good!

[steven]

been on benicar about 8 weeks now(20 mg) with 5 mg of bystolic. developed the 'cough' several days ago. tongue is now swollen and throat very raw. makes swallowing pill very painful. also now getting heart burn. blood pressure is great but i can't stand these side effects. gonna have to find something else.

[Den367]

I went to an ER with BP 201/139. I was prescibed a beta blocker but I made the tightness in my chest much worse so the Doc took me off of it and I was prescribed Benicar 40mg. Its been 2 months and now I have tightness in my chest, neck pain and get very lightheaded. I hack up a bunch of phelm every morning. Sometimes I get some shortness of breath. I have had stress tests, blood work, ultra sounds, MRIs and all are normal. The only problem they found was some GERD. I am a smoker but smoke very little. Starting to think I should take myself off Benicar.. Is there a risk in just stopping?

[my symptons]

hi, I have been on benicar for 8 months, i have dry cough, upper respiratory congestion, tightness in chest area, dizziness after excercise I do not like this med...I am going to continue to taper off of it slowly and continue my diet and excersise...I am on the Dr Hiromi Shinya diet...amazing I have bought his book for a few of my friends and family "the enzyme factor" by Dr hiromi shinya, he has some great video's on youtube "kangen water" Dr Shinya has examined over 300,000 colons and claims he can tell you what you eat just by looking at your colon...I have lost 25 lbs and feel great...Dr Shinya's diet is 50% whole grain, 25% veggies, 15% fruits, 15% fish & a small amount of raw nuts and seeds. I bought an Enagic Kangen water machine as well...it is 9.5 pH with a negative ORP of -375 amazing! japanese hospitals are using this water to cure diabetes, high blood pressure, gout and a host of other diseases...check it out! it has changed my life and I want to let as many people know at possible! Nathan AzMan67 at aol.com

steven b wrote:

Good morning. I understand from your posts that you are all currently taking Benicar. As you may know, the FDA recently issued a "Warning Letter" to the company that manufactures and sells Benica (Sankyo Pharma) advising them that the sales materials used by the company are false and misleading. Those materials according to the FDA contain unsubstantiated claims of effectiveness and omit and minimize risks associated with the drug.
I am an attorney in Washington, D.C. who formerly worked for the federal government. I am now investigating the practices of Sankyo Pharma in connection with their sale of Benicar for consumers. In connection with that investigation, it would be very helpful if you could contact my office to discuss your experience with this medication.
If you have any questions or are interested, please contact my office.
Thank you for your cooperation
Steven Berk, Chavez & Gertler, Washington, DC

[my symptons]

Hi,
I have been on benicar for 8 months, i have a dry cough, upper respiratory congestion, tightness in chest area, dizziness after excercise, sever neck muscle cramping, back tightness, black out spells, increased hunger and wheezing! I do not like Benicar...I am going to continue to taper off of it slowly and continue my diet and increase my excersise...I am now on the Dr Hiromi Shinya diet for 3 months...amazing I have bought his book for a few of my friends and family "the enzyme factor" by Dr hiromi shinya, he has some great video's on youtube "kangen water" Dr Shinya has examined over 300,000 colons and claims he can tell you what you eat just by looking at your colon...after you view the youtube video you will agree amazing to see what certain foods does to your colon! sickening!
Dr. Shinya's video... http://www.youtube.com/watch...

I have lost 25 lbs in 3 months and feel great...Dr Shinya's diet is 50% whole grain, 20% veggies, 15% fruits, 15% fish & a small amount of raw nuts and seeds for fatty acids. I have also bought an Enagic Kangen water machine as well...it produces 9.5 pH with a negative ORP of -375 amazing! This allows for the toxins to be flushed out of your body more easily! make sure you get prefilters to take out the flouride and chlorene from your tap water...you can also place an RO water filter prior to the Kangen water machine SD501 Leveluk by Enagic...there are less expensive water ionizers out there but I would highly recomend getting the Enagic Leveluk SD501 it does what it claims it does! best bar none! some of the japanese hospitals are using this Kangen water to cure diabetes, high blood pressure, gout and a host of other diseases...check it out! it has changed my life and I want to let as many people know at possible! I am alkalizing and energizing my body, life is fun again! search "Dr Young" on youtube as well alkalizing your body to boost your immune system
Dr. Young on CNN http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Peace and Love,
Nathan AzMan67 at aol.com if you have any questions or comments

interesting videos...

1st Kangen water store palm desert, CA http://www.youtube.com/watch...

melt body fat http://www.youtube.com/watch...

japanese hospital using kangen water http://www.youtube.com/watch...

LA tv news kangen water machine http://www.youtube.com/watch...

cancer shrinks http://www.youtube.com/watch...

testing bottled water very acidic results http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Charlotte wrote:

I have just switched from Benicar to Dyazide. Has anyone else had a problem with weight gain on Benicar. I too stopped the Benicar for a couple of days before going to the Doctor to have my medication changed and had swollen ankles and feet. I went back on Benicar and made an appointment with the Doctor and he switched me to Dyazide as mentioned before. He told me he believed the Benicar caused my dry hacking cough but had never heard of it causing weight gain. I was hungry all the time and gained 8 lbs in the amount of time I was on the drug. After taking my new medicine, my appetite has gone back to normal and I have lost 4 lbs. Just checking to see if anyone else has had both problems.

[Gina]

I started to take bencicar hct: and about seven day into it i started a cough and bringing up green mucus then started feeling a burning in the middle of my chest and back .every doc ive been to thinks it was acid reflux so i had a endoscopy couldnt detect anything so then i was sent to a pulmonary doc he then said my lungs are clear? im wondering if anyone has or had any of the same symptoms when being on benicar hct?? took myself off now just have to wait to see if i feel any better its only been one day!!