Amlodipine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ser...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Primary physician prescribed amlodipine 2.5 MG (and said I could start out at 1/2 dose to begin) for moderate high blood pressure. After taking amlodipine for 5 days, I stopped. The reaction to the drug was similar to a reaction I had to lithium (called serotonin sensitivity). On amlodipine, my vision was distorted (not blurry). I lost my balance. At night, my sleep was filled with bizarre/frightening dreams. My hands and feet swelled, tingled, and itched. I had cramps in my calf muscles. The worst part was the blistering headache that never stopped. I woke up feeling anxious, angry, and scared...went to bed feeling the same. The doctor wanted to lower my blood pressure. Instead, it had gone up rather high over what it was when I started taking amlodipine. After the 5th day, I stopped amlodipine and took an anti-anxiety drug I've used for anxiety attacks. I used my inhaler daily. I researched/bo alternative remedies for high BP. In just two weeks, I brought my BP down to normal and even below on most days."

• Eli...
• April 4, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 5 mg Norvasc for about a year. Then my doctor said to me to increase to 7.5 mg, and that's when I started getting heart palpitations, headaches, and my blood pressure still was high, around 147/88, heart rate 69 bpm. Then my doctor said to take 5 mg Norvasc like before but add 2 mg Coversyl - that made me have palpitations, very tired, fatigued, and out of breath, headaches, and felt like someone was strangling me and felt anxious. Basically couldn't function, so I went back to just 5 mg and I'm going to see a cardiologist. I feel like a guinea pig trying different medicine with no results. I'm still tired, out of breath sometimes, labored breathing, BP is still high, get cramps in my stomach, I must have gone to the hospital and my doctor so many times."

• Fed...
• April 29, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "These are my side effects. It began with twitching and cramping in my arm and became debilitated with muscle weakness, couldn't even raise my arms to shampoo my hair. I had burning bladder, burning and stinging sensation on skin, deep eardrum pain, eye swelling and redness and burning. Feet cramping in the middle of the night. Skin ulcers, dry skin on face, burning in my esophagus, lack of coordination, shivering, anxiety. The most overwhelming one is the muscle and nerve issues. I've been to the emergency room 6 times, to a neurologist, a cardiologist, an ENT, a gastroenterologist, and to my GP and had dozens of tests: MRI, CT scan, EGD, blood work, EEG, urinalysis. All of it has destroyed 4 months of my life. I finally put the pieces together. It all began after I started this drug. I have had my cardiologist take me off 3 days ago. I can't wait for it to leave my system. This has been horrible!"

• Gly...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "Taking 5 mg daily plus 2 mg Candesartan. After taking Amlodipine every evening, I can hardly breathe. Tightness in chest, rib area, throat, and neck. Ears hurting. Ache all over. Starting to feel anxious. Headache. Stomach pain. Been on Amlodipine 6 months. Side effects built up over that time. It does lower BP."

• chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I am going through a living nightmare on this drug. My old doctor prescribed 10 mg Amlodipine and 10 mg Lotensin for my blood pressure. That was in September 2021, and I have suffered this whole time. Severe anxiety and panic attacks. Can't even walk to the bathroom now without my heart feeling like it's gonna bust out of my chest. My legs get so weak I can't walk. Terrible nightmare, night sweats, swollen face, and neck. The doctor would not listen to me. And it's been 5 months of nightmarish living. I made an appointment tomorrow with a different doctor because now I can't even walk. I had to go buy a wheelchair just so I can get to the new doctor tomorrow. This is so horrible, I have been to the ER 5 times because of blood pressure and the chest pains. And they just want to say it's anxiety. It's the freaking side effects of this medication. God, I pray I'm alive tomorrow and make it to the other doctor. I need help and something to change. Plus, I've lost 37 lbs since then."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I started on amlodipine 5 mg about 6 weeks ago because my BP had been spiking (as high as 145/110). Almost immediately, my BP went down to more normal levels, but after a few weeks, I began experiencing anxiety, depression, nervousness, and found it difficult to focus on anything. Sleeplessness became a problem as well. I've cut the dosage to 2.5 mg on my own, but notice that the BP is beginning to rise again. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I know I can't bear the way I was feeling before. The doctor said she's never heard of these side effects for amlodipine, so I guess I must be imagining it."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I started on amlodipine 5 mg about 6 weeks ago because my BP had been spiking (as high as 145/110). Almost immediately, my BP went down to more normal levels, but after a few weeks, I began experiencing anxiety, depression, nervousness, and found it difficult to focus on anything. Sleeplessness became a problem as well. I've cut the dosage to 2.5 mg on my own, but notice that the BP is beginning to rise again. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I know I can't bear the way I was feeling before. The doctor said she's never heard of these side effects for amlodipine, so I guess I must be imagining it."

• Sjd...
• December 21, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been on this drug after I was allergic to a different high BP medicine. I got put on BP medicine postpartum because I had postpartum preeclampsia. I didn’t want to get on medicine, but they said I had to stay out of the hospital. Anyway, fast forward 7 months. I stopped taking this medicine just because my script wasn’t ready at the pharmacy yet, but I’ve noticed my anxiety has been truly the worst it’s ever been in my life and has my mind racing constantly. JUST THE TWO DAYS that I’ve been off of this medicine, I swear I feel like I’m coming out of a 7-month coma of brain fog. I have been so exhausted. Yes, I’m a new mom with two children, so it’s to be expected, but so tired that I’ve been sleeping every nap my baby has and babies sleep almost 16+ hours a day. And then wake up exhausted. Don’t get on this medicine. Horrible anxiety, brain fog, exhaustion, and eczema flare-ups. It’s not a good one, folks. Rated 3 because my BP has been okay, but not worth it."

• Tlc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Prescribed amlodipine about a little over a week ago for high blood pressure. First night had a headache, which I awakened with each night. In addition, my ankles swelled, which gave me trouble walking, a racing heartbeat upon waking, frequent night visits to the bathroom, anxiety, and deep dreams. To me, this is abhorrent that this would be on the market to help someone. Last night was the worst, where I literally would wake up with odd stomach discomfort, pain in hips and buttocks, anxiety very badly, and an overall nervousness about going to sleep, nausea too. Almost went to the ER!!! Did not take it this morning and already feel better. Shared this with the doctor, who said, well, maybe I can add a beta-blocker!!!! NO WAY! ***and the drug is super cheap! I paid like $1.50 with my insurance. That’s very strange."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "So for whatever apparent reason, my doctor prescribed me amlodipine 5 mg only because my blood pressure was 145 over 87, which is not a bad blood pressure. So I started taking the blood pressure medication, it didn't really make any difference whatsoever, just lowered it just by a little. But then, after several months, I started noticing changes in my body: my anxiety was going higher, my heart rate was going fast, constant lightheadedness and dizziness, the feeling like I want to pass out. So I kept telling my doctor after so many visits to the ER, and my doctor was just telling me that can be many causes, so basically avoiding the subject. After a while, I just got fed up with it. I just started doing my exercises, and I started feeling better."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking clonidine for years at the maximum dose of 2.7 mg a day. Although it was effective, my blood pressure would spike when it wore off. Recently, I suffered from a simulated stroke and seizures due to a reaction to an immune deficiency globulin infusion. I also experienced debilitating migraines and electric shocks throughout my body. Due to stress from a toxic living situation, I took too much medication this month. I consulted with an online telehealth doctor who prescribed amlodipine for my spiking blood pressure. However, it turned out to be a nightmare. Within 30 minutes, I experienced severe anxiety, leg cramps so bad that I couldn't walk, and loss of vision. I felt like I was dying and would never take it again. I suggest discussing this with your doctor to avoid being prescribed this medication. I am currently taking Klonopin and Ambien to relieve my misery until I can resume my regular medication in the morning."

• Ada...
• January 21, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "- Insomnia. I was snorting myself awake - very scary can't sleep more than 30-40 mins - Heart rate very low my usual is about 65 this was dropping it to around 50 or maybe even lower - Nausea after dose - Freezing cold feet and hands (feet to knees!) - Anxiety 10-fold. Feel like you're in a pre-panic attack state in waves during the day - I felt like I was spaced out and was just staring off into the distance different times made errors at work struggled for words and had some shortness of breath. - Pain in back and then anywhere I usually have a bit of pain. It was 10-fold. I only made it 6 days on this drug."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "New primary care doctor said metoprolol wasn’t doing anything for me; made heart rate too low, and prescribed amlodipine 5 mg. On first day after taking, I had a taste in mouth like metallic shavings, only way I can describe it. Never felt dizzy or lightheaded, but heart started beating really fast. BP didn’t lower, actually got higher along with heart rate. Woke up in the middle of the night with heart thudding each night I was on it. Had to get up and walk around the house trying to calm myself, felt as if I might have a heart attack. It caused severe anxiety, aggravation, and agitation. And I was on it for only 6 days! Doctor had me stop taking it and has me monitoring BP, etc. for now as it works its way out of my system. Evidently, there is some ingredient in the makeup of this drug that my system can’t tolerate. At current time, I feel as if I’m having withdrawals from some kind of drugs. Started this March 3, stopped on 8th."

• BBD...
• February 19, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking amlodipine 2.5 for about a week. I’m not dizzy or anything like that, but after I take it, my heart feels like it’s gonna pop out of my chest. I feel really short of breath when doing anything, even laying down. This med is awful. My doctor says it’s anxiety. I’ve never suffered from anxiety in my life. Feels like I’m wired. Awful feeling."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 20, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was diagnosed with hypertension in June of 2019. I was given amlodipine 5 mg together with another ARB medication. No, I didn't have swollen feet and ankles, but I suffered from insomnia and anxiety because of this medication. It lowered and stabilized my BP somehow after a few months, but in the afternoon, my BP would still go up as much as 140+ over 90+. I am experimenting with herbal supplements like olive leaf extract to lower my BP, and hopefully, I can transition to herbal supplements safely and successfully. Rx meds are not for me, although I do agree and am grateful that at some point in time, this med has also helped me."

• Why...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Took 2.5 mg of amlodipine for one week in addition to 25 mg of Losartan, both for high blood pressure. It was to replace a supplement I had been taking (BPnatural), which I stopped taking about 6 days before. I had excessive pressure in the chest and throat/neck; my pulse went way up and became irregular, and I had flushing in the face. My blood pressure was all over the place. On day 8, the doctor suggested switching to two 2.5 isradipine. After 14 days of this, I still have high blood pressure. It was a horrible, anxiety-inducing experience, even in this short period. The BPnatural I was taking worked very well. I took it twice a day in addition to the Losartan. There were occasions when the blood pressure spiked too high (at the dentist), which made me think it would be better to try meds."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I'm sorry so many seem to have issues with this medication. It's helped me. My BP went down about 25%. There were/are some side effects I experienced. Some flushing in the first few hours first week I took it, now I get a little flushed an hour or so. A little anxiety the first few days, I'm fine with that now. Minor headaches first week, do not get them anymore. Had to pee a lot when I started taking them. I do seem more tired taking them, that has eased somewhat. Had some minor joint aches at first. I do get a little bit lightheaded, flighty, after taking them the first hour or two. Sounds like a lot of complaints, but most have gone away, and the rest do not last long and are not that intense. Positive: obviously lower BP, vision has improved, no more headaches, no more swelling. Only been taking it a month, any changes and I will update. Every day I could see my BP lowering a bit the first few weeks, now it's stable."

• bbh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have had many side effects. Hives, anxiety, unexplained pain in the hip, chest pain. I went back to the doctor, and he thinks I am allergic to this medication. After stopping this medication, side effects are going away."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed 5 mg on 9/16/21. Had side effects within a week. Dizziness, confusion, anxiety, headache, weakness, etc. Stopped taking on Sept. 20th. It is now Nov. 18th, and I am still having episodes of all the symptoms about twice a week that last 12 to 24 hours. An episode on Nov. 1st brought me to the ER. They said to consider getting another job as it is high stress and call your doctor. He prescribed a two-week medical leave from work. No good. He is hesitant to consider that I may still be having side effects from the amlodipine. He has ordered an MRI but feels quite certain that it will come back normal. Can anyone relate to this? I am concerned that I may have to quit my job."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "The worst medication. Heart palpitations, flushing, panic attacks, anxiety, pressure headache, tingling in hands and legs, chest pains, lightheadedness, dizziness. This is what I’ve experienced after taking for 5 months. Felt like I was going to die. Finally stopping this medication. This stuff is awful!"

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I’m taking myself off this medication. I’ll reduce slowly, but I’m never going back on it. Quite frankly, I’d rather just not be here. I’m having peripheral neuropathy, brain fog, nausea, depression, dizziness, and anxiety. This stuff is awful for me. I’m done."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Doc put me on this 3 months ago. BP was 164/100. 3 weeks later it is no higher than 134/80 and often 117/74. The only problem at the beginning of treatment was weird dreams, but not nightmares. Also had anxiety, but Doc put me on escitalopram 5 mg to counter this. Very happy I now have normal blood pressure after years of shying away from BP meds because of negative side effects."

• Gwe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "On 5 mg for high blood pressure. It has made my anxiety worse. I am also having palpitations since starting these. I take propranolol for anxiety, which my doctor says is okay, but they are both medications for high blood pressure. When researching, I found that these two medications should not be taken together. My doctor does not seem concerned."

• DKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Started amlodipine 5 mg last Tuesday and noticed at first a little jittery, and then by Sunday anxiety was at max and couldn’t sleep, so called doctor. He said he never heard of that happening. Glad I am not the only one with that happening. Hoping these symptoms ease up and stopped taking it. Made blood pressure higher."

• DKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Started amlodipine 5 mg last Tuesday and noticed at first a little jittery, and then by Sunday anxiety was at max and couldn’t sleep, so called doctor. He said he never heard of that happening. Glad I am not the only one with that happening. Hoping these symptoms ease up and stopped taking it. Made blood pressure higher."