Amlodipine and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this medication after I was unable to go more than a week on Lisinopril (10 mg). I figured this new medicine would be okay since it was only 2.5 mg. Oh my gosh, this drug is horrible. I feel like I am constantly in slow motion. I have fatigue and lightheadedness. I have what feels like hot flashes throughout the day and night. THE WORST is the anxiety. I have never dealt with anxiety before. I was in a store and I felt a chill run down my body. I felt clammy and hot, and I had to run out of the store. I could barely drive home. It was awful. I am going off this medication. I lasted 6 days. My blood pressure was in the high 30s at home before medication. I had a few high readings in the office because I was nervous. I am going to try diet and exercise. I am at a healthy weight and I don’t drink or smoke. This drug is evil! I had horrible dreams too!"

• 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."

• anx...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking amlodipine several months ago for elevated blood pressure. Now have extreme anxiety, jittery all the time, brain fog, extreme fatigue, and muscle cramps at night. The doctor dropped me to 5 mg from 10 mg, but the symptoms are the same, maybe even worse now. I will take myself off this med and try diet and exercise. Not worth feeling like this every single day!"

• nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on this for blood pressure of 180/100 with a 'thready pulse' of 102, dizziness and lightheadedness. It brought my pressure and pulse back down to the 'normal' zone (within 4 hours); however, the downside has been extreme fatigue (all I want to do is sleep) and migraine headaches that last throughout the day, as well as a feeling of anxiety and irritability. The doctor had told me it will pass once my body adjusts to it (a few more weeks), but I don't see it happening. The only positive thing is it got my pressure and pulse down, but this isn't working for me adverse reaction-wise. (5 mg once a day)."

• Clo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I switched to amlodipine after a dry cough from lisinopril. The cough decreased in frequency but still persists years later. On amlodipine, I really went downhill, severe joint pain, every joint is affected, and leg and ankle swelling are really terrible. I feel achy all the time, most especially in my lower back and legs, to the point where I simply cannot walk anymore. I take a few steps and my legs ache so badly they lock up, and I must rest to take another step. Eventually, I get home, but really, I can't even walk anymore and have gained weight and flab. Losartan is not lowering my blood pressure, and I really feel death would be a kinder, more desirable event. Who wants to live with this chemical straitjacket 24/7? The fatigue is so constant that I look forward to going to bed."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "Fatigue, tiredness, malaise, lack of energy, no ambition to get up and do anything, and some muscle weakness being the main symptoms while on this briefly. Not a good way to describe it other than I just didn't feel good or like myself before I took it. Stopped taking it and in a few days felt 100 percent better. Not sure if it helped with the BP since I wasn't on it very long but BP is improving without it for now."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "Fatigue, tiredness, malaise, lack of energy, no ambition to get up and do anything, and some muscle weakness being the main symptoms while on this briefly. Not a good way to describe it other than I just didn't feel good or like myself before I took it. Stopped taking it and in a few days felt 100 percent better. Not sure if it helped with the BP since I wasn't on it very long but BP is improving without it for now."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "Fatigue, tiredness, malaise, lack of energy, no ambition to get up and do anything, and some muscle weakness being the main symptoms while on this briefly. Not a good way to describe it other than I just didn't feel good or like myself before I took it. Stopped taking it and in a few days felt 100 percent better. Not sure if it helped with the BP since I wasn't on it very long but BP is improving without it for now."

• 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."

• god...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "33 male who has been on amlodipine for almost 4 years for high blood pressure. My BP was really high because of family history. I started with 5 mg, and the doctor increased it to 10 mg. While on it, it actually works and lowers my BP. But the side effects were very bad: face swelling, loss of concentration, leg swelling, fatigue, and drowsiness. I have decided to come off of it. It's been almost two weeks now, and I have never felt better. I have always been active and doing cardio in the gym. I look and feel really great. People started seeing the difference and telling me that I have lost weight. So a possible side effect is weight gain. My BP is still a bit high, but I decided to live a healthy life to reduce my BP if possible."

• 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."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Started Amlodipine 10 mg the evening of 3/2/2023 and overnight into 3/3, I began to experience extreme stomach discomfort and got up to go to the bathroom. I fainted briefly and broke one toe and chipped another. Contacted my PCP, who instructed me to continue taking the medication since my BP readings were great! Although feeling fatigued and nauseous, I fought through it. Not sure what changed, but I began feeling ALL the side effects listed and was spending hours in bed feeling miserable. Afraid to stay in the house alone, I drove myself to the doctor's office where I was told to get meds for nausea. I refused it, but the doctor said to keep taking it. This Amlodipine is poison to my body! Like other comments, you must become your own advocate and decide what is best for you. I am making “serious” nutritional changes to lower my BP naturally. If you can avoid it, please do. I nearly took it a month. It affected my life and my household so completely. BEWARE!"

• ewh...
• February 10, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on this drug, amlodipine, since Dec. 20. The first thing I noticed was swollen ankles and sometimes hands. Then I noticed at work my arms were getting fatigued when I was holding something light, like the mail. A day after, my legs started feeling the same. I was constantly wanting to sit down. In the mornings, I would feel a racing heart, and during the days, it was hard for me to focus. I am only 24 years old and have high blood pressure from being overweight and being a heavy drinker. I have stopped drinking around the 1st of January and started dieting, but still to this day, I have all the side effects. I also noticed only a 5-7 point change in blood pressure, which makes the side effects not worth it. This is a terrible drug, my cardiologist prescribed it to me through online messenger. After reading everyone's experiences, I can't believe he was willing to just put me on 10 mg from the start. I also take metoprolol and lisinopril (have been for 6-8 months) and am lucky enough to have no side effects from those."

• Jer...
• May 1, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I began taking these tablets a week ago. My face and neck have been flushing red. I have been feeling uncomfortable heat in my feet, my skin has been extraordinarily dry, and I have been feeling sluggish and sick. I was prescribed Amlodipine because the Losartan I was taking gave me a chronic cough."

• dkr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I was on amlodipine for about three months, and I started to have all these side effects: joint aches, chest tightness, weakness, and chills, severe fatigue, nausea and stomach pain, and dry heaves, which led to a sore stomach. I took myself off and went to see my doctor, she was very surprised at all the side effects and said that pregnant women can take this drug, that it is safe. It is not! This is a horrible drug, and I hope my side effects will go away. Oh, another thing, my urine was yellow, which leads me to believe that my liver enzymes are out of whack."

• Fra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I’m a 47-year-old male. I have been on amlodipine for 8 months, started on 10 mg. Started to feel extreme fatigue during important work meetings, could not keep my eyes open. Had to pinch myself, but the fatigue was so severe. Leg muscle cramps. Reduced to 5 mg, but still fatigued. Stopped taking and noticed no further extreme fatigue. Blood pressure has crept up, will try to control with exercise. Will go see my physician."

• car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2022

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "A very, very negative experience with Norvasc. I had side effects of chest tightness, sleepiness, and fatigue. I would sleep for 3 hours a day, wake up sleepy, sleep again for 9 hours in the evening, and get up tired. I still feel weakness and pressure in my chest. Norvasc is terrible, although I can see some people tolerating it well. A terrible experience, and if you feel that you are not yourself, it is because of this medicine."

• 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!"

• RoR...
• May 7, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I had resistant HBP (150/93). I found when I took the prescribed amount of 20 mg Lisinopril and 5 mg Amlo, it was not effective. When the dose of Amlodipine was increased to 10 mg, it decreased my BP to 'normal' 130/80. That was great, but it's causing fatigue and making me walk and move like a geriatric. I also have been making cognitive mistakes on the increased dosage, like forgetting to feed the dog or turn off the stove. That's bad. I am stopping."

• 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."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Just started this medication a month ago to treat migraine-also a little borderline hypertension-two birds with one stone. First week on 5 mg. I needed Imitrex 5 out of 7 days. Then, I went up to 10 mg per doctor's orders, and the headaches stopped. If this keeps up, yes, this is a miracle. Have suffered with migraines almost 40 years-and have tried lots of meds including Imitrex, which was a lifesaver, and Botox, which helped initially but not for very long. As for side effects, no swelling-maybe a little fatigue. I was on loads of Excedrin and probably 3 Imitrex a week. So glad to be able to get off these meds. Still keeping them around just in case but am very encouraged with amlodipine."

• Mal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Started amlodipine after stopping lisinopril due to throat swelling after taking for one year. Amlodipine took 5 days to begin working on lowering my blood pressure after introduction. My dosage was 5 mg once daily. It didn't lower my blood pressure very much. Went from 165/111 to 145/100 in 5 days. Side effects included: very sore arms and legs, lower legs felt sore and full of blood (heavy), facial flushing, profuse sweating from feet and hands, headaches, notable lack of energy and sleepiness, nervousness. I recommend using this drug ONLY if it's your last resort and you don't need an immediate drop in blood pressure. Remember everyone is different, this may work well for you. Long walks seemed to help with the sore legs."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 17, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Amlodipine for high blood pressure. It brought it down to normal. However, the side effects were terrible: frequent urination, constipation followed 10 minutes later by uncontrollable diarrhea, blurry vision, cough, fatigue, and sleepiness. When I would go out, I would not take the medicine. I found out that Amlodipine was causing my problems when I took an airplane flight. I did not take it because I did not want to go to the bathroom when we were flying. I didn't take it for 2 days, and almost all my symptoms disappeared. I took it again, and all the problems came back, so I stopped taking it. I was put on Clonidine, and that did not lower my BP but gave me a cough and sleepiness."