Amlodipine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Wat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "53-year-old female taking 5mg amlodipine at bedtime. Experienced many side effects which were increasing and getting worse. Tiredness, Lethargy, Weakness, Edema, bad swelling of right leg, Muscle aches especially back and calf. Legs felt squished like in a vice. Joint pain especially Hips, had to use heat packs at night. Left heel pain, hard to walk. Upset stomach, constipation, and gas. Heartburn after taking the drug. Blurred vision, itchy eyes, Itchy skin, Headache, Bruised easily, Insomnia. Drug made me feel terrible so I quit using it and going to see my GP Monday. Been off it only 48 hours, almost all symptoms gone but still very achy. It was like poison to my body and would not recommend this drug."

• Wat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "53-year-old female taking 5mg amlodipine at bedtime. Experienced many side effects which were increasing and getting worse. Tiredness, Lethargy, Weakness, Edema, bad swelling of right leg, Muscle aches especially back and calf. Legs felt squished like in a vice. Joint pain especially Hips, had to use heat packs at night. Left heel pain, hard to walk. Upset stomach, constipation, and gas. Heartburn after taking the drug. Blurred vision, itchy eyes, Itchy skin, Headache, Bruised easily, Insomnia. Drug made me feel terrible so I quit using it and going to see my GP Monday. Been off it only 48 hours, almost all symptoms gone but still very achy. It was like poison to my body and would not recommend this drug."

• DPi...
• July 21, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "This is the most horrifying drug I have ever taken in all my 67 years. My doctor prescribed it in conjunction with lisinopril because my blood pressure, which was slightly above normal, needed to be lowered further, said doc. With no verbal warning from the doctor or the pharmacy, after three days I stopped sleeping. I went for a 40-hour period with two hours of sleep. When I was awake, I had absolutely no energy or enthusiasm. I had no idea what was happening. I reached out to the doctor via email for help. She actually suggested I might need psychiatric help. I was dumbfounded. Finally, I figured out what was going on by researching online. I stopped taking the drug and changed doctors and hospital systems. Be warned."

• p4-...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking this drug, amlodipine, at 5 mg for moderate hypertension (72-year-old male). It has certainly brought my BP down, and now it is consistently in the 120/75 range. However, there are side effects. It massively reduced my libido and made me feel tired. My tendency to have ectopic heartbeats (palpitations) has dramatically and disturbingly increased. I have some leg muscle pain and very rapid tiredness in the legs when brisk walking and climbing. For the last month, I have been taking a half dose (2.5 mg by cutting the pill in half), and the side effects are considerably reduced (but not absent). My blood pressure remains in the same low range. I have also experimented with taking a quarter dose of 1.25 mg, but I noticed my BP creeping up again. On the high dose (5 mg), it significantly reduced my migraine headache problem, but much less so on 2.5 mg."

• Kik...
• March 16, 2012

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "Norvasc has lowered my blood pressure from 160/102 to about 110/80 on 10 mg. The side effects are debilitating for me. I have horrible chest pains and unable to do much without exhaustion. I have lost so much weight due to lack of appetite. Dr. does not want to take me off because I have difficulty finding anything that lowers my blood pressure. I am also on Atenolol."

• Aml...
• August 4, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Wow. Doc gave me 5mg to be taken daily. Took it for one month - a month that shall live in infamy. Extreme eye pressure, dizziness, affected my gait while walking, and I've never been so tired in my life. I'm a 63-year-old athlete who cross-country skis, skates, and roller skis. I knew something was drastically wrong and stopped it cold turkey. Within 24 hours, I had no dizziness, my energy was better. By day 2, no pressure behind the eyes. I'm sure experiences vary depending on your body chemistry, but this stuff was killing me a day at a time. Hope your experience is better than mine, but I'd encourage you to listen to your body."

• lca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I started this medication about 2 months ago. I take two 5 mg tablets nightly at bedtime. It has lowered my blood pressure, but it makes me tired, weak, exacerbated my anxiety and depression. I’m fatigued, with general malaise, headache, joint and body aches."

• Bev...
• March 3, 2025

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines for 30 years, they have ruled my life. I’ve had every treatment going and am usually first to try the new ones. Thanks to my neurologist, I started on amlodipine 5 mg on 1st Nov 2024 and have not had a migraine or even a headache since. My ankles swell, and I seem to get very tired, probably because I now get up to wee approximately 4 times a night, but I don’t care. These side effects are nowhere near the effects of a migraine, it’s like I have a new life."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2009

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Norvasc 5mg for 6 months. It makes me tired, have had weight gain, and now have palpitations when I take it. It hasn't lowered my blood pressure by much. I exercise daily and take vitamins."

• Zeg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have had high blood pressure for over five years and this includes treatment with numerous medications and supplements. Two months ago, I was prescribed Amlodipine for high blood pressure. I had headaches and dizziness, along with being physically tired. Today, I do not have the headaches, but occasionally experience dizziness if I move fast, or get up from sitting, or lying down. This usually only lasts a few minutes at a time. I must sincerely and happily let those who read these comments know that this medication works. My blood pressure, even on other medications such as Atenolol, did not work as well. It was normally between 140 and 150 every day. Today, it is consistently below 120/70 and usually in the low 100s/60 or lower."

• Mrs...
• February 5, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking it for almost 3.5 years. Side effects: restless leg, itching, dry mouth, rash, tired, insomnia, joint pain, and an overall feeling of something wrong. I stopped taking it for about two weeks, and I've been feeling great. Right away, I started to feel more energetic. I'm sleeping well. Today I took one to see if I should start taking it again, and now I have itching, restless leg, and insomnia. I'm not taking it anymore. It's horrible."

• Evi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this drug and after just a few days experienced dreadful nausea, headaches and general lethargy. I was told to persevere with the medication but I also had terrible palpitations. After a month, I could take these side effects no longer. After coming off these pills, I felt wonderful."

• cic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Doc put me on 5 mg of Amlodipine due to high BP. I am a very healthy 71-year-old woman. Vegetarian since age 3, I swim 4-5 times per week along with hiking. At first, I did not notice any side effects due to stresses outside of my control. BP did not go down very much, so Doc increased it to 10 mg. After a few days of feeling exhausted to where I did not have the energy to swim and kept falling asleep during the day. My face was flushed, my whole body ached, severe headaches, pain in my heart, and then terribly swollen ankles. I immediately stopped taking this awful drug. My BP had not reduced, I took 3 garlic cloves in water with lemon, which brought down my BP. The next day, I went to the pharmacy and now I am taking a hawthorn tablet in the AM and a garlic pill in the evening and have been checking my BP 3 times a day. It is better than ever, and I have resumed my normal activities, no more headaches, angina, and ankles back to normal."

• 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."

• Bur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 25, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I hate the way this drug makes me feel! I feel like I am spaced out all the time and have no energy. When I am off it, I feel wonderful, but then the same symptoms come back if I start taking it again! What else is out there that works to lower blood pressure! I can't stand feeling this way anymore! I want my life back! I am on 10 mg. I feel like a zombie! Help!"

• 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."

• KJa...
• August 11, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I am 59 and have been taking amlodipine for a few years. I never realized that the pain in my ankles, feet, hands, and wrists was related. I thought it was just a matter of getting older. I also have gained weight on this medication. I've been dieting and I'm active, but the weight would not go down. I would get very tired in the afternoon. My doctor increased the medication and I wound up not being able to stand when I got out of bed. I decided to stop taking it for a few days. Almost all the pain went away and the swelling in my feet became less. I'm changing meds ASAP."

• 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."

• Pat...
• September 10, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking amlodipine for 4 months. Started to experience extreme lethargy, palpitations, depression, anxiety, and tinnitus. So bad I packed my job up. Started reading reviews on the drug. I stopped taking the drug 4 days ago, symptoms have almost disappeared. It got to the stage I felt I would rather risk a stroke, etc., than carry on feeling the way I did. I am now monitoring my BP myself, up to now, it's been perfect."

• Lon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 4, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Tenoretic (Atenolol 100/25 mg diuretic) for 15 years during a stressful period. My blood pressure started to rise, and amlodipine was added, which resulted in a much lower BP. I felt tired for around 3 months but stayed with it, and the symptoms cleared. Your body needs time to adjust when new meds are introduced. You also have to stop looking for 'side effects.'"

• Glo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on Amlodipine for a month and I feel so tired. I have aching muscles also. I work out at my gym like always but by 12 noon I am so tired, have a headache, swollen feet, ankles and sometimes hands, swelling varies with the worst by evening. I am now getting so hot. My blood pressure is good though. I will call my new Doctor tomorrow and discuss all this as I can't imagine feeling so bad every day."

• 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."

• Met...
• March 15, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Many won't read this far into the comments, but I found Amlodipine to work well by taking it in a different way. I, too, had some strong side effects on (1) 10 mg or (2) 5 mg daily. Swollen ankles were worst, but nausea, tiredness, etc. were culprits too. I asked my doctor what the smallest pill (mg) was. It is 2.5. I started using 4 in a day, but spreading them out. In other words, a 2.5 pill at 7 am, 12 pm, 5 pm and 10 pm (or approximate times spread out). I now actually only take 3 pills (7.5 total), but still spread them out. For me, it still has the right effect of bringing down the BP, but the side effects are dispersed out so they are MUCH more manageable. I sit in a soft chair or use the recliner to reduce ankle swelling."

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2017

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I took exactly one pill and woke up the next day with the worst headache: the top of my head hurt, temples were squeezing, had pressure in my eyes, and couldn't tolerate sounds. How ironic that people take this to prevent migraines! I was done after one day. This came after four days on metoprolol, which had left me exhausted and short of breath, so I wasn't exactly 100%. Blood pressure went up somewhat the day I was on this. Headache left as soon as I went off it. (Was put on valsartan right after, and had terrible back/spine pain from that.) I think I am done with meds. Maybe I'll do yoga."

• Wed...
• May 31, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking amlodipine for about 3 years now, I also have MS, so some of the side effects I have been having I put down to MS. I have been under the hospital for really bad tongue and mouth ulcers for the last 2.5 years and also under the hospital for a badly bloated stomach. I look like I am 7 or 8 months pregnant (both side effects). All tests have come back okay. My balance is terrible, and I recently had two bad falls in a week! I have constant ringing in my ears, cramping in my feet at night, feel tired, and have to have a sleep most afternoons, swollen feet and ankles. Researching the side effects of amlodipine has made me realize all these symptoms are probably due to this awful drug. I will be seeing the doctor next week to get it changed."