Anyone else have this problem?

[Nan]

I have just started taking a low dose of Benicar HCT (not soon enough to know if it is working on the BP) and I have an odd problem: the smell and taste of the pill make me gag violently. It's bad enough that I have a hard time getting it down - and keeping it down. Has this happened to anyone else? And if so, do you have any suggestions for getting around this? I don't want to change meds again (this is the 4th one I have tried because of either allergic reactions or no reaction at all by my BP) until I find out if it will work, but I have never had this kind of response to any other pill, ever. But it is such an ordeal to take this one that I dread it every morning. Help?

[Joy]

BECAREFUL OF THIS DRUG...I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. CALLED THE N.P. W/ COMPLAINTS OF LIGHTHEADNESS, DIZZYNESS, AND JUST FEELING BLAH. SHE SAID IT WAS BY BODIES WAY OF ADJUSTING...STUPID RESPONSE. I PASSED OUT THE NEXT MORNING DRIVING MY CDAR, CROSSED THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND ENDED UP OVERNIGHT IN THE HOSP....THIS DRUG HAS MANY SIDEEFFECTS, AND I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE.......

Nan wrote:

I have just started taking a low dose of Benicar HCT (not soon enough to know if it is working on the BP) and I have an odd problem: the smell and taste of the pill make me gag violently. It's bad enough that I have a hard time getting it down - and keeping it down. Has this happened to anyone else? And if so, do you have any suggestions for getting around this? I don't want to change meds again (this is the 4th one I have tried because of either allergic reactions or no reaction at all by my BP) until I find out if it will work, but I have never had this kind of response to any other pill, ever. But it is such an ordeal to take this one that I dread it every morning. Help?

[justin]

what dose were you on

[Nan]

justin wrote:

what dose were you on

I was/am taking Benicar HCT 20-12.5 MG. I think I have discovered a solution to my problem -- if I let a tablet sit out in open air for the 24 hours before I take it, the smell and taste are almost (not quite!) gone - enough for me to be able to take it without gagging. I am of course assuming that letting it sit out that long does not do anything to its potency...

[Nan]

Joy wrote:

BECAREFUL OF THIS DRUG...I LEARNED THE HARD WAY. CALLED THE N.P. W/ COMPLAINTS OF LIGHTHEADNESS, DIZZYNESS, AND JUST FEELING BLAH. SHE SAID IT WAS BY BODIES WAY OF ADJUSTING...STUPID RESPONSE. I PASSED OUT THE NEXT MORNING DRIVING MY CDAR, CROSSED THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND ENDED UP OVERNIGHT IN THE HOSP....THIS DRUG HAS MANY SIDEEFFECTS, AND I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE.......<quoted text>

So far I have not had these kinds of reactions with this particular drug, but I did try other ones and various doses before this with bad effects (and my doctors also told me I was just adjusting at first)-- on the first two, I had many of the symptoms you describe, with passing out frequently, etc. On the third one, I actually started gasping and it finally got so bad I couldn't breathe and ended up in the emergency room. I really didn't want to try a fourth one after that experience but was talked into it by my doctor.

[Ann]

Never had a problem with Benicar pills and any smell. Strange!
I was started out on Benicar HCT which made me feel extremely weak. Was switched to Benicar 40 mg. Later symptoms showed up with lethargy, palpitations, increased joint pains, and several other problems. Even got a complete cardiac work-up. After being off Benicar for several months now, I feel much better and not having those symptoms (besides my normal arthritis and BP problem.

[Rodney]

In my lengthy journey to find a med that would not have miserable side affects it all ended when I started taking Benicar. It did take my body around ninety (90) days to feel normal, if there is such a thing. I have now been on Benicar for ten (10) months and feel great. All I will say is listen to your body and if it doesnt feel right then request your doctor change the medicine. If he/she will not fulfill your request get another doctor!!! Doctors are mechanics for lack of a better word and some are better than others. I took five different meds and two different doctors, prior to getting the the right combination.

Good Luck, remember you know you body better THAN anyone else!!!

[steven b]

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 LLP

[Curious]

I have been taking Benicar HCT for over 2 years & have had no side effects or any problems with it. It also does a great job of controlling my blood pressure. The only effect I have had from the drug is going to the bathroom more often & that is what the drug is designed to do. It all depends on the individual. Some people are allergic to certain drugs & will have problems while other people will have no problems at all. Just listen to your body.

[William Davis]

On February 8th. Of last year an individual ran a red light going 80 mph and hit me broad side flipping my vehicle twice. My wife and I sustained very serious injuries. It was revealed today at depositions that he had taken Benicar about thirty minutes before the accident (a new prescription for his high blood pressure). He passed out prior to and has no memory of the accident. He does have memory of the million dollar law suit we have against him. BEWARE and BECAREFUL

[cristal]

my doctor gave me samples of benicar after having little success with 3 other types of bp medications. she prescribed a diuretic to be taken as well. i have begun to monitor my bp at home and found that it has gone from the 150's to the 100's. i am somewhat concerned that i was merely given the samples with no cautions and scheduled for a follow up in 3 weeks. i have taken myself off of the diuretics believing that my bp is too low. i am extremely tired and seeing poor circulation in my fingers and toes. i have no problem with undergoing an "adjustment period" but not without better information about what can happen.

[Marcia Kavanaugh]

I was taking a water pill to lower blood pressue. It had worked somewhat, but the Dr. said the new guidelines were to get the blood pressure down to 120s over 70s. Mine were 130s to low to mid eighties. I was givenLisinopril and told 1 out of 4 people develop a cough. I did. After a week I stopped taking Lisinopril and was give free samples of Benicar. I gave myself a week between stopping and starting the new medication. I still had a cough but thought maybe it was a residue from the Lisenopril. Than my cough got hirendous. I stopped taking Benicar. I had been given no side effect warnings from either the pharmacist or the Dr. I checked things out on the internet and discovered a dry hacking cough could be a rare side effect and I found several cases that supported that. My Dr. and his on call Dr. both said that they weren't aware of a cough being a side effect of Benicar. Thank goodness for the internet. Slowly I am feeling am feeling. I really don't want to take any other medication other than the water pill.

[CarolR]

I have been taking Benicar/HCT 20 mg for about 2 mos. All of a sudden...in the past couple of weeks, I have been noticing LOTS of hair loss. Strand after strand afer strand. I can run my hands through my hair and get 20 plus hairs!! Taking Benicar is the only thing I have done differently. I notice now that one of the side effects is alopecia! Has anyone had this problem??

Nan wrote:

I have just started taking a low dose of Benicar HCT (not soon enough to know if it is working on the BP) and I have an odd problem: the smell and taste of the pill make me gag violently. It's bad enough that I have a hard time getting it down - and keeping it down. Has this happened to anyone else? And if so, do you have any suggestions for getting around this? I don't want to change meds again (this is the 4th one I have tried because of either allergic reactions or no reaction at all by my BP) until I find out if it will work, but I have never had this kind of response to any other pill, ever. But it is such an ordeal to take this one that I dread it every morning. Help?

[carol smith]

I have been taking Benicar for about 2 years,not benicar hct though, anyhow, I do think it has caused my hair to thin out a lot ,I also stopped taking premarin about the same time,so Im not sure if the benicar is the cause for my hair loss or the fact that I stopped taking estrogen,anyone have any similar effects??

[Mary]

I have been on Benicar for several years and it hsa controlled my BP, but 2 months ago I started having palpitations and I am thinking that perhaps it is the Benicar, since I forgot to take it on two different occasions and the palpitations were not as significant on those days. It is definitely something I am going to talk to my physician about.

[eastern Virginia]

Have taken Benicar for 10 months -20 mg plus 25mg hctz. Blood pressure averages 128 over 75. HOWEVER I also have polymyalgia rheumatica and am experiencing a severe flare in shoulders and knees. No cough as in other ACe inhibitors but even on low salt diet am also experiencing edema in knees and ankles. Age 62 Woman.

[jean]

CarolR wrote:

I have been taking Benicar/HCT 20 mg for about 2 mos. All of a sudden...in the past couple of weeks, I have been noticing LOTS of hair loss. Strand after strand afer strand. I can run my hands through my hair and get 20 plus hairs!! Taking Benicar is the only thing I have done differently. I notice now that one of the side effects is alopecia! Has anyone had this problem??
<quoted text>

I TOO HAVE NOTICED HAIR LOSS SINCE TAKING BENICAR HCT 20MG ALSO I AM TIRED ALL THE TIME AFTER TAKING BENICAR HCT20MG

[Tangie]

Yes, I have hair loss, too. I have been taking Benicar HCT since my child was born.

CarolR wrote:

I have been taking Benicar/HCT 20 mg for about 2 mos. All of a sudden...in the past couple of weeks, I have been noticing LOTS of hair loss. Strand after strand afer strand. I can run my hands through my hair and get 20 plus hairs!! Taking Benicar is the only thing I have done differently. I notice now that one of the side effects is alopecia! Has anyone had this problem??
<quoted text>

[Lilleth]

I started to notice hair loss about 8 months after starting Benicar. It is plain Benicar, not Benicar HZT, though I do sometimes take a very small amount of hZT in addition to the Benicar. I've also had other problems, achy muscles, queasiness. I am going to make an appt for blood work with my doctor.

[Anna]

I have been taking Benicar now since February this year and I have had massive hair loss at the sides of my head and along my hair line. I am really worried as it started falling out about March and so far there is no sign of it growing back and you can clearly see my scalp through the hair that's left. My worry is that it will continue to fall out and I will be left bald at the sides.