Amlodipine and Heart Palpitations: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sco...
• November 4, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I was borderline high blood pressure during a check-up, and the doctor started me at 10 mg amlodipine right away. Took 3 days for side effects to kick in, but they've landed me in the hospital for two stays. It causes electrical haywire, tightness, palpitations, you name it. I tried to stop cold turkey, and that landed me in the hospital yet again with sky-high blood pressure. The doctor prescribed atenolol, 25 mg, as a sidekick medicine, and it smoothed over most of the haywire effects. The problem is now I am on two of these bad boys, and it's ridiculously hard to get off them without feeling like you're going to have a stroke. I'm trying to sort out how to wean myself down and get off this hot mess. Given a choice, I would take atenolol over this stuff hands down. Improved diet and exercise is by far the best option. I dread the suffering and probable hospital stay it's going to take to get off this nasty in the coming weeks. Think carefully before you ever get involved with it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "In 2021, I was prescribed amlodipine 5 mg to address my average BP reading of 145/90. However, two weeks after starting the medication, I experienced a tingling, numb sensation in my lower limbs and crippling anxiety. Despite complaining to my doctor about these symptoms, they suggested that they were psychosomatic in nature. As a result, I decided to wean myself off the drug. Unfortunately, even though I stopped taking it, the side effects still persist. I continue to struggle to get a full night's sleep and experience heart palpitations. To manage my blood pressure, I have turned to natural remedies, and I have found that beetroot works well for me."

• 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."

• JW1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Amlodipine for 10 months until I figured out my stomach issues (constipation, feeling like a heartbeat in my stomach), insomnia, and increased anxiety that eventually went into full fight or flight panic attacks, body tremors, palpitations, were related to this drug. I’m 19 days off, and while I’ve seen small improvements, I think unfortunately this will take months to recover. I’m only 33 years old, and my blood pressure was only 140s/90s before the Amlodipine 5 mg and never even got to a good number, so my doctor wanted to add hydrochlorothiazide as well at the 6-month mark. I then began to exercise and watch my diet and actually have lost 40 pounds. I’m determined to keep going because I see right now these meds are poison. I’m hopeful I will get back to my old self."

• Sch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was just prescribed Norvasc for my high blood pressure. I've always had low blood pressure, but my rheumatoid arthritis doc put me on prednisone, and the result was high blood pressure. Hence, Norvasc. I was prescribed 5 mg, and the first day of taking it, and every day since, I have had major heart palpitations. Not a nice feeling. I also feel wired. So far, not liking this medication at all! Why do medications to treat illness and symptoms bring an entirely new set of problems?"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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)."

• Win...
• August 25, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Having had normal BP all my life, only recently spiked to rocket high 180/ that scared the hell out of me. I asked my doctor to put me on amlodipine, initially 5 mg, now I reduced it to 2.5 mg. Have been on it for 8 months now, having a headache for the first two days after starting the medicine, then the headache gone, no particular side effects, only occasionally constipated, BP spikes, heart fluttering. BP now usually normal in the daytime 120/80, higher at nighttime. I don't dare to measure BP at nighttime as it is normally higher, sometimes around 140/. I have a phobia in measuring BP at nighttime."

• Cha...
• May 7, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Thought I’m the only one experiencing this. I’ve been on amlodipine for 2 years now. I’m 54 years old. I started experiencing terrible heart palpitations about 4 months ago. Many times, I’m awakened by a pounding heart late at night. It just feels like the heart will stop beating any time. A very terrible experience!"

• bin...
• August 3, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "15 days on amlodipine 5 mg, the last 6 I cut it down to 2.5. I did it because I was having many symptoms that scared me: flushing, sleepiness, pounding heart, palpitations felt on the neck, muscle twitching, reflux. Since I am on 2.5, the reflux has lessened a little, and also the pounding heart, feeling some palpitations about once a day, but now I feel something in the skin all over from time to time. Asking the doctor on Monday to take me off the pill. But I am worried because I read that it needs to be weaned off because there have been people that had worse symptoms, even heart attack, after stopping them abruptly."

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on 10 mg amlodipine mid-December by my cardiologist. After 4 weeks, bouts of insomnia started creeping in, nausea (to the point that my stomach wanted to really vomit), and my hands and feet started to sweat profusely. After a week, I started feeling tingling sensations in my hands and feet as well as palpitations. I fainted at work about 1.5 weeks ago, doctors couldn't find out what the problem was. I almost fainted last Sunday, and again doctors couldn't see what the problem was, though maybe it could be side effects of the amlodipine. The cardiologist shifted me over to enalapril 10 mg instead. I've been off the drug for 3 days now, but still feel side effects. When do they disappear?"

• SBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Following a massive BP spike and a history of high blood pressure, I started on 5 mg three weeks ago. From day one, I had a blinding, debilitating headache, but on a positive note, my BP was dropping. In the second week, the headache eased, but chest and stomach pain, leg cramps, left leg swelling, fatigue, and dizziness became increasingly worse. After three blackout falls (two very bad), the doctor advised me to stop immediately. Three days off it and now no pains and steadier, but I have worrying arrhythmia. To its credit, it has dropped my BP. I was happy to take it and ride out any side effects, but the impact was too great for me. Clearly, this medicine does work for some, though. Lifestyle, diet, and careful consideration to any meds."

• ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Male, 56 yo. Was having palpitations with lisinopril, so I was switched to 10 mg amlodipine. On the 2nd day, had a severe reaction (irregular heartbeat, fluctuating BP, lightheaded, etc.), ended up in the ER. After various tests, docs didn't find anything wrong, but said don't take it anymore. The real fun began later that night. Woke up with a severe panic attack that turned into a 'bath salts' (recreational drug) episode: compulsively waving arms and pacing the floor, twiddling fingers and toes, grunting, and finally depersonalization (watching yourself from outside your body). It subsided after 20+ minutes, but had panic/anxiety attacks every day for 2 months after. I never had anxiety issues before. 2 years later, and I still have to be careful, as I can't control anxiety when life gets a bit difficult. I switched back to lisinopril + metoprolol, so my BP is back down, without palpitations. But I occasionally need to take anti-anxiety meds. Others report similar reactions, which may be why it's banned in some countries."

• ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Male, 56 yo. Was having palpitations with lisinopril, so I was switched to 10 mg amlodipine. On the 2nd day, had a severe reaction (irregular heartbeat, fluctuating BP, lightheaded, etc.), ended up in the ER. After various tests, docs didn't find anything wrong, but said don't take it anymore. The real fun began later that night. Woke up with a severe panic attack that turned into a 'bath salts' (recreational drug) episode: compulsively waving arms and pacing the floor, twiddling fingers and toes, grunting, and finally depersonalization (watching yourself from outside your body). It subsided after 20+ minutes, but had panic/anxiety attacks every day for 2 months after. I never had anxiety issues before. 2 years later, and I still have to be careful, as I can't control anxiety when life gets a bit difficult. I switched back to lisinopril + metoprolol, so my BP is back down, without palpitations. But I occasionally need to take anti-anxiety meds. Others report similar reactions, which may be why it's banned in some countries."

• 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."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Worst drug I've ever tried and the reason I'm scared of new drugs. It made me have tachycardia. My heart was speeding at over 200 bpm sitting still. Worse if I got up to walk around or anything like that. I couldn't sleep because it felt like I was running. I would stay in bed propped up (because lying down made it worse) and occasionally drift off when I got so exhausted I couldn't stay awake anymore. This sleep only lasted about an hour at a time before I woke up again. Docs increased the dose, saying I just needed to get used to it. It made it worse. I made them take me off of it after 'giving it a try' for three hellish weeks."

• new...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2023

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I had pre-existing anxiety and depression when I began taking amlodipine. Due to my smaller stature, my doctor started me on a 2.5 mg dose. However, I experienced palpitations towards the end of the first week, and my doctor recommended increasing my dosage to 5 mg. Over the next few weeks, I noticed significant changes in my behavior and well-being. I became easily irritable, had constant panic attacks, and experienced worsening insomnia and decreased appetite. Additionally, I saw minimal benefits in treating Raynaud's phenomenon, and my body's dryness intensified. All of these side effects led to more anxiety and panic attacks, which I realized only recently. I hope to recover from these symptoms quickly."

• Sue...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 8, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I took Amlodipine for many years. I'm a young 61-year-old businesswoman who is extremely active. Suddenly, last June, my abdomen was so swollen on my left side that I couldn't fit into my summer dresses or jeans. My ankles and legs swelled so much (I have pictures). I spent over $5,000 for procedures (and that's just what my insurance didn't pay): CAT scan for my stomach mass, PET scan, numerous doctors for leg swelling... heart palpitations (I wore a heart monitor because my heart was beating too fast but slowed down while sleeping to 2 seconds per beat). I had no idea what was going on. ENDLESS doctor appointments and treatments! I was also losing my hair. It was falling out in clumps. One day (my doctor advised me to see a cardiologist), and he said, 'Why are you on Amlodipine?' You don't need it. Your blood pressure is good now. I stopped taking it. In 2 days, the mass on the left side of my abdomen was gone. My hair stopped falling out. My legs don't swell anymore."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been on and off BP meds for many years (I'm 49). Been taking this for approximately 2 years. Strangely developed arrhythmia, and then last fall started having episodes of Afib. I guess I've been blindly taking this as well as Olmesartan for even longer. I underwent an ablation on my heart at the first of May this year. Haven't had one issue with the arrhythmia or Afib until I stopped taking my Amlodipine 2 days ago. This morning I woke up, and the arrhythmia was there. Of course, I took my Amlodipine and have been exhausted all day. The reason I am trying to get off of this medication is 1: Terrible heartburn. 2: This may be the cause of my arrhythmia in the first place. And did I just have an ablation done to mask it?!?! And now if I stop, am I screwed? Find something else to take!"

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 25, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been on and off BP meds for many years (I'm 49). Been taking this for approximately 2 years. Strangely developed arrhythmia, and then last fall started having episodes of Afib. I guess I've been blindly taking this as well as Olmesartan for even longer. I underwent an ablation on my heart at the first of May this year. Haven't had one issue with the arrhythmia or Afib until I stopped taking my Amlodipine 2 days ago. This morning I woke up, and the arrhythmia was there. Of course, I took my Amlodipine and have been exhausted all day. The reason I am trying to get off of this medication is 1: Terrible heartburn. 2: This may be the cause of my arrhythmia in the first place. And did I just have an ablation done to mask it?!?! And now if I stop, am I screwed? Find something else to take!"

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I just started taking amlodipine last week for high blood pressure. I take it at night before bed to avoid the dizziness. I haven't experienced any swelling, but other side effects I've had are heartburn, vision changes, nausea, higher than normal BP, bloating, and constipation, lots of flushing over my entire body. Occasionally, asthma-like symptoms. I use a CPAP for sleep apnea, am diabetic, hypothyroid, Ankylosing Spondylitis, so I take Humira and Meloxicam. I have occasional chest pain and palpitations."

• nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Amlodipine has been hard work for me since Sept 20’, with a hard time breathing and muscle spasms. I kept taking it because my BP was 175/110 at the ER. I was 260 lbs, now 215 lbs, BP 120/70 laying down, but if I sit or stand up, my blood pressure gets high 169/100 and my heart beats out of my chest hard. To stand or walk, my body feels heavy, can’t do much. I suffer, I just lay in bed, my body feels weak & worse anxiety, sharp pain feeling in my head, painful feet, chest pressure, breast pain, neck pain, body pressure, extreme tiredness, bones hurt, muscle spasms, blurred vision, numbness in hands & arms, brain fog, always hungry, pressure in my gums, pressure in my head, constipation, horrible nightmares every night, high blood sugars, palpitations, ringing ears, flushing in my face, chest & arms. Daily, I feel flu-like, daily lightheaded, no energy, numb face, tongue & arms, tingling face, arms feel like cobwebs on me. Checked 3 times for stroke & was okay, cold hands & feet, depression, severe panic attacks, sexual dysfunction, women + more. Ruined my life asking my NP for a new one."

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

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 5 mg of amlodipine since 2022, and initially, I felt great and alive. However, I have been to the hospital numerous times now due to palpitations, high blood pressure, stomach cramps, lightheadedness, leg fluctuations, and foot swelling. Moreover, some doctors at the hospital seem unhygienic, but the nurses are very commendable. Despite drinking lots of water, changing my diet, switching to decaf coffee and caffeine-free Coke, and exercising regularly, I am beginning to have another opinion on the tablet. I want to ask my doctor if I can reduce the dose to 2.5 milligrams or come off the medication slowly with a sensible diet. As of 2023, my heart health is always very good."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2019

For Raynaud's Syndrome "Amlodipine does not work for Raynaud's! Been on for 2 months, still having flares every time I go outside or get a chill as usual. Only difference is now I'm swollen all over, my heart races, and I feel exhausted. Maybe if you have high blood pressure already and are using this as a dual drug...maybe. For me...going off of this now!"