I started taking amlodipine last August (2014) and have recently been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. About 2 months after starting this I had pins and needles in my leg and feet, this continued, and also numbness after more months. I never considered it could be a side effect, but after all this time and have now had various tests (EMG and nerve conduction tests) it transpires I have peripheral neuropathy. Having read that this COULD be a side effect of amlodipine (although fairly rare) I wonder if anyone else has suffered this. It seemed to come on not long after starting this medication. Would appreciate any information
Any connection between amlodipine and peripheral neuropathy?
Question posted by bramleyman on 27 Sep 2015
Last updated on 18 May 2023
4 Answers
Tony Broken
18 May 2023
I took amlodipine for years with no apparent side effects. Then I began with tremors and after a year or so was diagnosed with Parkinson's. An MRI scan shows no sign of damage to the brain. A year or two after that, I started with severe pain in my right calf and then had a sudden loss of strength to the point that I can no longer walk properly anymore. I have had extended testing done, and it has been confirmed by a neurologist that the nerves are dying in both legs. Purely on a whim I decided to look into side effects and found amlodipine is known in rare cases to cause this problem. It's taken finding a good doctor to get some traction on investigating the problem further. He has recommended the pharmacogenomics test to check my tolerance to amlodipine and many other drugs. Results due next week. At last we will be dealing in facts not opinions. I have been off amlodipine now for 3 weeks and have already started to feel better.
My balance is getting better and people have noticed my walking has improved. I still have a long way to go but I am hopeful that I am on the road to recovery. Before all this started, I was a fit guy 6 foot tall 82kg and loved to walk up to the lookout which was about 4km. I even used to do it with 15kg on my back. I say all this to show that my health decline was not due to an unhealthy lifestyle. It is my belief that I have drug-induced Parkinsonism's and peripheral neuropathy because of taking amlodipine. I could be wrong and time will tell if I recover to any significant degree without it. Regardless of that, I have had dozens of tests to try to find the root cause of my condition over the last two years. All have come back negative. Anecdotal shows to me that amlodipine is that cause and I hope to prove it so that others can be helped before their health declines as much as mine.
Goldberg_21
29 March 2020
I took the first dose, and my BP spiked, after a few days I developed pins and needles in legs and hands, and then slight body tremors.
I am planning to go to a neurologist to get checked, but I suspect it may be because of norvasc since I didn’t have anything like this before taking this medicine.
leesten
30 March 2020
If I suspected it, I would get off it. My PN was caused by a prescription drug and I did not get off it in time. Now I am condemned to a life of pain. I would not risk it if I were you. For me, the remedy, and getting PN, was a million times worse than the initial condition. I was then sent to a neurologist who gave me gabapentin and lyrica, which don't help in any way, they just mask the symptoms, and in some instances, make it worse. (yes, PN is listed as a side effect of the drug that masks the pain of PN). I learned all this on my own. Your doctor will probably say something like 'the drug I prescribed you didn't cause the PN, PN is usually idiopathic', then send you to a neurologist which will prescribe you the aforementioned drugs. None will help you find the cause or treatment. I went through this for the past 2 years. Be your own advocate!!
leesten
18 May 2023
If you search amlodipine side effects neuropathy then yes you will see neuropathy is a side effect. This is what happened to me, but with a different prescription drug. Now I have severe peripheral neuropathy which is far far worse than the original condition I took the medication for.
Stephen Treloar
27 Sep 2015
When were your Folate levels last checked?
kaismama
27 Sep 2015
I've been on it for about 6 years but don't have a problem.
Related topics
peripheral neuropathy, amlodipine, diagnosis, paresthesia
Further information
- Amlodipine uses and safety info
- Amlodipine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Amlodipine (detailed)
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