Had Dizziness After Using Losartan. Same Effect With Olmesartan?

Posted on Fri, 7 Sep 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 7 Sep 2012 Answered on

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : My mom was prescribed 40 mg olmesartan (benicar in the US, something else in India which we are visiting). She had dizziness when she briefly tried Losartan before. Will she get the same side effect with olmesartan? Also is that dose too high? She is currently taking lisinopril 20 mg.

Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (12 hours later)

Hello Mr AAA
Thanks for writing in. I am a qualified and certified cardiologist.
I read your mail with diligence.
First dose hypo-tension producing dizziness with any anti hypertensive drug is a known phenomenon.
Olmesartan is a superior drug to Lisnopril so your doctor's insistence is understandable. No it is not necessary that your wife will have same effect as with losartan. Yes you can start with lower dose and in a weeks time doctor will give you optimal dose.
If you are in India for a visit. I am writing two brand names of the drug Olmesartan available in India. As an abundant precaution you can start with 20 mg and then increase to 40 mg depending upon response. In India, do not worry if drug is procured from a reputed large chain of chemist's (Say Apollo's Chemists) quality is assured. If there is any other question you want me to answer I will be most happy to answer. Names of drug available in India
Benitec from Macleods[Olmesartan Medoxomil]
Olmetor from Torrent (Psycan)[Olmesartan Medoxomil]
With best wishes.
Dr Anil Grover,
Cardiologist
M.B.;B.S, M.D. (Internal Medicine) D.M.(Cardiology)
http://www/ WWW.WWWW.WW

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar