Taking Olmesartan. Feeling Tired And Pressure In Head. Is This Normal?

Posted on Sat, 11 May 2013

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

Sat, 11 May 2013 Answered on

Tue, 28 May 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking Olmesartan for the past week and I have been feeling very very tired, general unwell feeling, head pressure, is this normal when starting this drug?

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (16 minutes later)

Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

It is not ‘normal’ on starting the drug
It is a side effect and it is not common

Give the benefit of doubt and change the drug – there are several classes of drugs and several drugs in each class... See your doctor...

Also have routine tests like electrolytes, kidney function and blood counts...

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

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

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 minutes later)

I have tried Ramipril, irbesartan, losartan, pendropril and all give me side effects, I also tried a directic but had increased Uris acid. Would you recommend a drug that might not give me side effects?

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (11 minutes later)

Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic

The first drugs are either Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI) or Angiotensin Receptor Blocking drugs (ARB)
The next one is a diuretic.

Try calcium channel Blockers (CCB – like felodipine or amlodipine)
You may also try Beta Blockers (like nebivolol or Metoprolol)
Do not start by yourself...discuss with your doctor...get appropriate prescription...

Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck

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

Follow up: Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (1 hour later)

I have tried a CCB and again had side effects. Is it worth trying a different ACE! Say Lisinopril?

Answered by Dr. Anantharamakrishnan (3 hours later)

It is mostly class effects - individual differences are not much / changing to a different drug in the same class may not help in most occasions...
Try Beta blockers...
Try a different diuretic - small dose of aldactone / frusemode in combination..

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