Amlodipine and Dizziness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 27, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking amlodipine for high blood pressure in early 2021. My tinnitus became very high. I had severe stomach cramps and colonic pain, and felt lightheaded and dizzy. I also had brain fog, anxiety attacks, and was feeling very unwell. This was during the lockdown, and I could not get to my GP at the time. Because of the anxiety and severe pain, I did not attribute this to the medication. I would warn anyone taking this drug to stop!!! Amlodipine is a nightmare. I lost weight-2 stone-and was dehydrated. The medication actually aggravated my acid reflux. There is a warning that this medication can make acid reflux much worse. After ceasing the drug, I read it can take 250 hours, or 11.5 days, to clear the system. The drug also affects vision. I am now on felodipine 2.5 mg daily."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Effective in lowering blood pressure with terrible side effects. Muscle pain, back pain, shoulder pain, headaches, balance issues, brain fog, memory problems, depression, erectile dysfunction. Length of use six years on and off. When side effects become intolerable, I stop using it and resume when blood pressure rises again. I live in the UK."

• Cab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2015

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I am a mid-fifty male post open heart (4 months ago) and stents (3 weeks ago). I have been on Norvasc 5 mg for about 10 days now as the predecessor drug's side effects were horrible. It has been very effective at lowering my BP (117/75). The side effects are still concerning. Dizzy, tired, maybe some depression & anxiety, slight problem with deep breathing and weak muscles. Although I can function normally, the day-to-day functions are an effort so I push through. The mornings (when I take Norvasc) are not as good as the afternoon when I feel better. I believe the side effects are getting better but am unsure. What I want is to be normal again and active. They say it takes a few weeks for the body to adjust. I'll give it its due course."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor put me on 10 mg of Amlodipine for high blood pressure. But he had to take it down to 2.5 mg because I was getting dizzy and had double vision. While it does bring my BP down, the side effects are just too much to handle. One hour after taking this medication, I get extreme anxiety along with headaches and not sleeping very well at night like I used to. I also noticed a lot of fatigue. I will be asking my doctor to take me off this medication and switch to something with less side effects."

• Den...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "This drug has caused me 6 months of hell. Lost my job because I just couldn’t function. Became tired, fatigued, and had unbelievable swelling in my legs and ankles, nausea and dizziness, and weight gain. My PCP took so many tests to determine what was wrong. Couldn’t find anything. My blood pressure was always normal until I became anxious, then elevated. Now I’m too numb to feel anxious. It’s this medication. I’m taking amlodipine besylate 5 mg. I need to get off of this medication. Should I gradually stop taking it? Every other day? What is the best way to get off? I want my life back."

• hea...
• October 17, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I stopped amlodipine a couple of times since I started taking it about a year ago, but kept going back to it due to rising blood pressure. While taking amlodipine, I developed severe anxiety and nervousness, also weight loss and reduced appetite. More recently, I've developed gastric problems, dry mouth, and severe weakness and fatigue. I stopped taking it about 3 days ago, fatigue and weakness do not seem to be getting better, also feeling a bit dizzy. Although it has lowered my BP to normal levels, the side effects are unbearable. Anyone know how long before this resolves?"

• MKO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this medication because my blood pressure was high. After a few days, I would get a little lightheaded occasionally. On day 6, I had a really bad turn. I was dizzy, fatigued, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, tingling in both arms, dry mouth, anxiety, and spasms in my legs. I ended up in the hospital and was taken off the medication immediately. It's been 6 days since I have been off the medication, and I am much better but still get some symptoms. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was having chest pain, so I went to the ER 6 days ago. My blood pressure was 189/107 mmHg, which is very high considering I’m a 31-year-old woman. They started me on amlodipine 5 mg once a day. For the first 3 days, I had mild symptoms of headache, dizziness, and tiredness. The 4th day, I felt a rush of pressure in my head, numbness in my face and neck on my right side, anxiety, and SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS. I went back to the ER, where they said I probably slept wrong and hurt my neck, and I just need to let my body get used to the new meds. They told me to continue taking the med. The panic attack continued over the next two days along with facial numbness, muscle weakness, headache, vivid dreams, insomnia, excessive thirst, twitching in my legs, and neck pain. Thank goodness I found this page. I felt like I was going crazy. I’ve decided to stop taking this medication. I do not recommend it, even though it did help lower my blood pressure. Not worth the side effects. If I could give it a 0 out of 10, I would."

• BP ...
• March 3, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I'm currently on Amlodipine 5 mg tab. The first 72-96 hours on this medication were very rough - very severe headaches, palpitations, dizziness, etc. After the 3rd day, the headaches subsided, and by the 5th day they were gone. BP had been elevated due to non-tolerance from the previous medication combination. By the end of the 1st week, BP was down into the 120s over 80s. So far, I have been using this medication for just over one month without any major side effects other than slight water retention, leading to slight swelling of hands and ankles. My weight has remained steady. The medication worked for me, and I am glad as I had been trying so many different types of medications to control BP that I was starting to lose hope."

• Lue...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 9, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking this medicine for two years and a half. I know this might sound crazy, I thought I was dying every day. This medicine is horrible. I had extreme fatigue, was tired all the time, was dizzy, and had headaches, confusion, and brain fog. I thought I was losing my mind. I also experienced heart palpitations that sent me to the ER more than once. I also had extreme anxiety. I stopped taking this medicine four days ago and feel so much better. Though I am still having really bad headaches now."

• kat...
• November 10, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "Started amlodipine 3 months ago and blood pressure dropped from 160/90 to 135/70. After 2 weeks I noticed foot/ankle swelling, doctor prescribed diuretic, didn't work. Now bad itch and bumpy, blistery-looking rash. For the past month, I'm exhausted, dull nagging headache, general malaise, shortness of breath, lethargic, gained 5 lbs. I used to power walk with weights 3 miles 5X a week, but stopped due to shortness of breath. When I ride my bike, I get winded to the point of dizziness and nausea. Glad I found these reviews, I think it's the blood pressure medicines."

• Zeg...
• January 25, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "At first, I was becoming dizzy and had a couple of huge heart flutters, however, they soon stopped after about a week. I am very satisfied with amlodipine, it was the only medication that made a difference with my high blood pressure. Amlodipine lowered my blood pressure about ten to twenty points, and today I am still taking this medication. Mostly in the evening, late at night just before bed to have it fully in my system by morning. This is a potent medication, and I am only on 10 mg tabs once a day. For me, this stuff really works and does what it's supposed to do. My biggest concern is generic drugs."

• Pre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 18, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I'm currently taking this amlodipine pill in the 10 mg tablet form, along with taking propranolol 10 mg 3 times a day. I honestly don't understand why blood pressure medications come with such awful side effects, especially the dizziness and nausea, which I am totally beyond tired of dealing with. I have forced myself to take these pills, which honestly feel like I'm poisoning my body with. There honestly isn't a major difference side effects-wise between any of the BP meds that I've tried thus far. They just don't make me feel normal while on them, and doctors don't want to hear that. They figure whatever they prescribe to you, that your body can automatically handle it. Which is why I sincerely hope that one day some pharmaceutical company invents blood pressure medication that is way more tolerable than what's already on the market today. Until then, I'm just going to do my best to continue with struggling through the symptoms that come with these pills."

• Ted...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 4, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Started taking 5 mg amlodipine in October 2018. Didn’t realize side effects were there. Dizzy, heart palpitations, foggy head. Blood pressure still up when checked in April 2019. Doctor upped dose to 10 mg. Started having muscle pains on left side only. Groin, lower back, thigh, and calf. Realized after reading these reviews it was this medication. Called doctor and told of side effects. Stopped cold turkey on July 21, 2019. Muscle aches, lower back ache, and calf ache on left side slowly going away but still there, just not as bad as in September/October 2019. Hopefully one day all aches are gone but so far about 70% are gone. I gave a couple of reviews on this medication back in July 2019. Most of my aches are more prevalent upon standing."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Started on the Amlodipine 3 months ago. BP was 150/74 at the Dr.'s. Now it goes to 145 about 1 time in the afternoon, but goes down to 99/58 every once in a while, causing me a spaced-out feeling. I've had terrible headaches all this week, dizziness, cough. Can't drive. I am getting off this because I felt much better before. I had just retired when I started this med. Was totally independent, now stuck at home."

• CBa...
• March 30, 2019

For Raynaud's Syndrome "As I've aged, Raynaud's episodes have become more severe during winter. I'm a 59-year-old male. I've avoided meds for Raynaud's, but my symptoms were so severe this winter that I experienced minor tissue damage on the tips of a couple of toes, and they were so sensitive that I had to soak my feet in hot water, etc., to avoid and reduce pain. Symptoms went away in my feet immediately with amlodipine. I still have episodes of Raynaud's syndrome with my fingers, but not as severe. I plan to stop using the medication when the weather warms and start up again next winter. I may have some slight dizziness in the mornings, but nothing significant. I take the medication at bedtime (5 mg) to help avoid that reported symptom. I think this is also resulting in fewer migraines this winter. I'm on day 25 with this med and am very pleased with it so far. Tissue damage on toes (dark spots) has cleared as new skin follicles have grown. Wish I'd tried this sooner and am thankful to my doc for recommending!"

• Joo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I’m a 51-year-old female. Previously on Ramipril, which I had to stop due to the permanent, tickling, annoying cough which I developed. Began taking Amlodipine 5 mg some months ago. Had a couple of bouts of dizziness, have had neck pain, swollen hands, etc., but had never thought this could be due to this medication until recently and reading up on the side effects. Very recently, my anxiety levels skyrocketed, my motivation, concentration, and mood significantly plummeted - I am now going to request my GP change my meds to stop my awful low mood/depressed state, as I am sure it’s because of this medication."

• Ben...
• March 30, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Started taking amlodipine for three months. I started feeling high anxiety. I believe 10 mg is making my blood pressure go up and heart rate go up. It's one of the worse pills I ever took. Be advised this pill has so many negatives, you get palpitations, dizzy, ear ringing, and nightmares."

• Aml...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "67 yo female diagnosed with (freakishly) high blood pressure. 266/177. 10 mg amlodipine was prescribed along with Losartan and a few others. Pressure has been under control, but the side effects have been horrendous: swollen gums, pain in calves, dizziness, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, unusual weakness, belching, gas, cracked, dry, and itchy skin, changes in my vision. Swollen feet and ankles... I could go on. My cardiologist discontinued it today, and what a difference! Much, much better! Whew!"

• Han...
• January 31, 2018

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I'm 55 and 195 lbs. Was on 5 mg Norvasc after repeated BP readings of 160+/80. Norvasc brought my BP down to 140/80 for the first 3 months. Then I started getting heart palpitations. I would also start feeling flushed and dizzy. It became progressively worse to the point I couldn't stand because of my dizziness. Heart palpitations occurred frequently. Doctor took blood, EKG, and also did two stress tests. All were negative (BP went back up to 165/75 - on average). I stopped taking Norvasc after 6 months, Doctor put me on 10 mg Lisinopril. As my diet improved over the past 6 months (I have always done cardio), I stopped any BP meds. It's been 24 days and my BP (which I take several times a day) hovers between 120/75 to 141/82. I'm no longer dizzy or feel flush. Still get heart palpitations every few hours that haven't fully been explained. Bottom line is (IMO), I can do without meds by having changed my diet (which was good to start with - just needed to make some adjustments)."

• Mee...
• April 25, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "FYI - I tried various high blood pressure meds, most with some serious side effects. Amlodipine was helping better than any previous, but had some nausea, swelling, dizziness, etc. Decided to try taking 2.5 pill 4 times daily instead of one 10mg pill. Made a huge difference. Seems my body can handle everything with only slight side effects by doing this. My doctor said he'd never had a patient do it this way, but due to my good effect, has now put several patients on Amlodipine in this manner. By breaking it up, the body seems to be able to tolerate it well. May not work for everyone, but for me it was such a blessing."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have had an awful experience with this. Intense chest pains (sharp and dull), dizziness, arm pain, and the worst anxiety I have ever experienced. I had no idea what anxiety was until I started taking this. I was on it for a month, and it has been absolute hell. I stopped taking it today and switched over to irbesartan and am hoping it clears up these intense, debilitating side effects. Every doctor or pharmacist that I mention these side effects to looks at me like I’m crazy or that it’s just anxiety. There’s no way. It did help my blood pressure, but completely not worth it due to these awful side effects."

• Dot...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 9, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 2.5 mg amlodipine for probably five years. I've recently had spikes in my morning blood pressure, so my doctor prescribed me 5 mg. I've done it for two nights in a row. I'm not doing it a third night. I am having the most vivid dreams, I am incredibly lightheaded, I've got a pounding headache, and I'm very off balance. I literally have to hold on to the walls to get from one room to the next. I've laid in bed all day. I have zero energy, and doubling my dose is definitely not working for me."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Extremely dizzy, lightheaded, and bouts of vertigo. Insomnia was common, and with having all those symptoms came a kind of depression from feeling like the world was spinning 24/7. But my BP was under control! So effective, but the side effects for me were too much."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Extremely dizzy, lightheaded, and bouts of vertigo. Insomnia was common, and with having all those symptoms came a kind of depression from feeling like the world was spinning 24/7. But my BP was under control! So effective, but the side effects for me were too much."