Amlodipine and Lightheadedness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 23, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "There is something very different with the lupin amlodipine, and it's not just the shape. I have headaches all the time, nausea, and feel lightheaded. I have contacted the company and filed a complaint."

• 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."

• Wch...
• January 4, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 47-year-old male that takes 5 mg Amlodipine in combination with 20 mg Lisinopril. The two medicines are fairly effective at keeping my blood pressure at around 116/65, but the side effects with both are miserable. I get lightheadedness and sudden dizzy spells constantly. There has got to be a better solution. I felt fine with high blood pressure and now feel a lot worse."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "Taking it for three weeks. Lowered the bottom number of my blood pressure almost too low. The average now is 116/63. It caused some dizziness, light-headedness, and a little shortness of breath. It also slowed my pulse down. Good medicine, but I don't want dizziness."

• My...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on amlodipine for about 3 weeks now. The first week was the worst, with the crazy fast heartbeats, sweating, farting, and the hot flashes. But after that week, the symptoms started to subside, and now the only thing I have is lightheadedness when I stand up too fast. My blood pressure was crazy high, like 220/119 stroke level, and now after the medication, it's around 157/99. It has gotten better, but since I have a history of high blood pressure, my numbers will always be high."

• smi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Had to come off of lisinopril as it gave me a cough. I tried this amlodipine, and yes, blood pressure has stabilized, but have felt so tired and lightheaded to the point that I felt I’d faint. Then, my feet, ankles, and calves have gone red, swollen, and painful. Doctor has taken me off them. Been a few days now, so it’s probably still not out of my system, legs are still painful..."

• 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."

• 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."

• lar...
• September 15, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Amlodipine has been a great drug for keeping BP low. I take it in the PM and Benicar in the morning. The only problem I have with amlodipine is if I take it and have a few wines, my BP drops to 109/60, and I get lightheaded, so my doc said to hold back on amlodipine if I'm going to have a couple of drinks. Not sure if anyone experiences this when mixing with alcohol, but talk about lightheadedness, wow. I'm not a big drinker, so the benefits outweigh the risks. Good combo, Benicar and amlodipine, for me. Went from 150/85 to 117/70, unless I'm stressed out, then no BP meds are going to help until you're relaxed."

• MFD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "On 10 mg/day for a week and favorably impressed. Has BP between 115/72 and 135/85 for most of the time. A bit lightheaded - more so for an hour or two after taking it. No other side effects. Feel good and thankful BP is down. Would like to try 5 mg at 8 am and 5 mg at 8 pm. Will discuss this with my doctor. But so far, absolutely no complaints - just a positive experience."

• Ros...
• November 3, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on a 5 mg dosage on a Friday. By Monday, I was contacting my doctor, telling her that I could not take the side effects: migraine-level headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, racing heart. I suffer from Graves' disease and hypertension. This medication made me worse. Would not recommend it at all."

• 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."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Well, I've been on amlodipine 10 mg for over a year and a half. I take 5 mg in the a.m. and 5 mg in the p.m. I will give it a 3-star rating because it does have many side effects: dizziness, muscle pain, muscle twitching, edema, lightheadedness, stomach pain, flushing, dry skin, increased urination at night, increased appetite, etc. I'm lost, I don't know what else to do. Now, there's this constant ringing in my ears."

• rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I've been dealing with blood pressure issues for 10 years. Finally, I had a crisis and was emergency taken to the hospital with a 230/134 blood pressure rating... Felt very dizzy, falling over. Stayed in the hospital for 8 hours. They prescribed me amlodipine 2.5 mg in the morning and 2.5 mg at night. Been taking it for 4 weeks now. Remarkably lower blood pressure. But felt extremely fatigued and tired for 3 weeks, some constipation. Terrible hissing/ringing in my ears and some weird dreams. Hopefully, that will come to an end soon. Also add migraines 5 days a week. 4 weeks now, not one headache. Never have had any swelling in my feet or ankles, which they say is one of the more common side effects, so that is all good. Do feel a little lightheaded every now and then walking around. But it has definitely lowered my blood pressure significantly."

• 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."

• GrN...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 30, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "My husband was put on amlodipine last December. About 2 weeks later, I noticed he was having trouble remembering things like which way was the mailbox. He was also getting dizzy and lightheaded when standing. He went through a bunch of tests for heart and brain function, and everything was fine. Skip forward a few months, and the doctor reduced amlodipine to half. His dizziness got a little better, but he was still having trouble remembering events that were happening. Now the dizzy spells are bad enough I am afraid he is going to fall. BP registers 120/60 most of the time, he is experiencing lightheadedness sometimes, diastolic is lower than 60. As of yesterday, he stopped taking amlodipine altogether. We will see if the medicine was the cause of all of these side effects. I will post again in 2 weeks."

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "Without taking this, my blood pressure was 156 over something. After two weeks, it was 132 over something. I'll take the side effects, a little lightheadedness, over a stroke any day. No swelling to report, and I've been on this for about 20 days."

• mud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have been prescribed amlodipine 5mg, been on for just over 2 weeks, taking it at nighttime and then taking one perindopril in the morning, having side effects of body tingling, all-day dizziness or lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and nausea, feeling like absolute rubbish, feeling so anxious and nervous on a daily basis, going to the doctor tomorrow to see about changing meds, previously on telmisartan which was for 6 months, which also had side effects and really did not lower blood pressure at all, the latest ones have brought readings right down but at a cost. I am totally over feeling not in control of my life due to BP meds."

• Yah...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on amlodipine 5 mg. I have been having the side effects of pain in my waist, lightheadedness, back pain, neck pain, numbness, and abdominal ache, but it normalizes my VP to 120/80, at times 114/75. My doctor reduced it to 2.5, but I'm still having those side effects."

• Poo...
• July 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Prescribed 3 years ago and I have had problem after problem, e.g., eye aches, upper back ache, racing heart, dizziness, lightheaded. Trip to the emergency room with CT scan of head, EKG, ultrasound, echocardiogram, stress test, heart catheterization! All tests negative! Problems ongoing. It's this amlodipine. NO MORE FOR ME."

• Doe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I’m 75. Walk three times a day for an average of 70 minutes per day. Average BP was 150/90/78. Placed on 10 mg amlodipine. Noticed a difference when walking, longer stride and faster pace but had periods of being light-headed. My BP went down to 137 on a consistent level. Immediately had trouble sleeping more than 5-6 hours per night. Began to feel that something was in my left chest crawling around plus a few sharp pains. Mild headaches a few days after starting amlodipine. Thought my body would adjust. Headaches turned into the feeling that the top of my head from the eyebrows up was being squeezed. Intense ringing in my ears to the point I could not watch TV or sleep. Gained back three of the five pounds of water I had been able to remove from my legs and feet and my BP climbed to 145, which I figured was due to the water in my legs. If amlodipine was putting water back in, amlodipine was defeating the purpose of lowering my BP. Took myself off of amlodipine and notified the doctor."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2025

For High Blood Pressure "I was on amlodipine for 16 days. The side effects were debilitating. I felt like a zombie. Dizziness, lightheadedness, tired, lethargic, fuzzy-brained, shortness of breath, sweating, palpitations, shallow breathing, anxiety, spaciness, weight loss, loss of appetite, tight chest, ear pressure - feel hot and 'full', weird floaty feeling, generally out of it, hard to take a full breath, jittery, head feels 'full' and heavy, racing heart, elevated pulse (120), low thoughts, shaky especially hands, and low blood pressure (90's). I've been off it for 12 days and still experiencing most of the side effects. This is a dangerous drug."