Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• January 13, 2012

"30 mg twice a day, blood pressure averages 140/85. 60 mg twice a day blood pressure averages 112/69. After 6 hours, blood pressure goes up to 170/110. Unfortunate side effect of erectile dysfunction. 20 mg of Levitra helps a little. Doctor is now trying me on Terazosin, so we'll see."

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2023

"I'm in immunotherapy and was given the Avastin drug, which highly elevated my blood pressure (BP). When Losartan 10 mg did not lower the BP readings, Nifedipine 30 mg was added, then increased to 60 mg, still not lowering the BP, it was increased to 90 mg. Three days later, my heart rate accelerated, and shortness of breath became unbearable. The primary doctor added another drug, Hydralazine 50 mg 2x a day, to lower the BP and sent me to a cardiologist for elevated heart rate, who added Carvedilol 12.5 mg 2x a day, which significantly lowered the heart rate and BP. So I'm on 4 BP drugs but continue to feel shortness of breath, and none of the doctors have figured out it is due to the side effects of Nifedipine at 90 mg. Last week, driving to the infusion center was too much for my body to handle the shortness of breath, I had to call the ER. I decided to lower the Nifedipine dosage to 60 mg (in 30 mg increments, as suggested by the ER doctor) and inform the cardiologist of my decision. Nifedipine is not for me."

• Rio...
• October 28, 2016

"I was put on nifedipine 60 mg twice a day two months ago. I had been taking clonidine 0.3 mg for years. The nifedipine does lower my blood pressure, but not as low as it used to be. Now it runs 145/65. The problem is the terrible fluid retention in my legs and ankles. I am relatively slender, and I gained almost 20 lbs in fluid since I started on nifedipine. I can barely walk by the end of the day. I stopped taking it a few days ago (I still take my clonidine) and will be switching to something else tomorrow with my doctor. Just not worth it."

• JLW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2023

"I only managed one 30 mg pill. Migraine headache, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fever, frequent urination, ears ringing. I would choose an early death over this. Worst 24 hours of my life. Will be seeking an alternative drug."

• Duf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2019

"Nifedipine did drop my high blood pressure. But I also felt tired, lousy, dizzy, difficulty sleeping, lightheaded, shortness of breath (used Ventolin to get a full breath), and my doctor said to stop it after two weeks now. I hope there are other options. Lisinopril seems to be a favorite among my peers. Wish me luck."

• Anonymous
• February 29, 2020

"I have been on 30 mg Nifedipine for almost 2 months now. I feel warmth (something like a low-grade heat) on the left side of my body from face to toe. The symptoms seem to go away if I miss a dose for a day or two. I am also on Valsartan, but I do not believe that it is the cause of these symptoms, as I have been on Valsartan for more than 2 years and have never had these symptoms. It has completely killed my libido and erection. I will have to contact my doctor to find a remedy, or I will drop this medication. My blood pressure control has not been that effective (averaging 130/85 and I am only 53) for me to trade sexual enjoyment."

• Jes...
• June 13, 2015

"I have had very crazy, high blood pressure since I was 20. I have tried several different medications, but this one probably works the best. I am on 20 mg of Procardia and 200 mg of labetalol. The combo works pretty well for me, but when I first started taking Procardia, I had killer headaches for hours on end. It almost made me stop taking it altogether. But I stuck it out, and it went away after several weeks. I have been on this for four months."

• Whi...
• February 22, 2020

"Dr. increased my Lisinopril from 10 mg 2x daily to 20 mg 2x daily, yet BP high. Dr. added Nifedipine Extended Release 30 mg 2x daily. First pill PM: 1/2 hour very warm face, mild headache, voice changed. 1 hour BP down, I was thrilled. Face stayed warm, ears felt a bit itchy, throat sore, plugged, voice raspy. 2nd pill in AM: face very warm, throat sore, ears itchy, BP still down. Felt good about results and figured side effects better than high BP. THEN third pill in PM: very sore throat, voice cuts in and out, raspy, and I lose my voice 50% of words said. Feels like my throat is cut with razors. Mild headache, ears feel plugged, face very warm, throat swollen under jaw, both sides (balls size of walnuts), can’t sleep, it is 1 am and my husband is monitoring me as I lay with a bag of frozen corn on my neck to help reduce swelling and throat pain. I won't take another and feel like if I did, my throat would close off. Bottom of my mouth feels fluid-filled and fleshy."

• Mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2020

"I took Procardia for about 3 years while in college, and I was at a point I was sleeping 18+ hours a day and still tired all the time. I had put on about 60 lbs. and felt horrible, and my blood pressure was erratic at best. I hated this medication!!!!"

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2020

"The first 9 or 10 months on nifedipine for high BP, I had a lot of the same side effects others have mentioned. Specifically, dizziness, headache, extreme fatigue, edema in my ankles and feet, muscle weakness, flushing, etc. I have even had some hallucinations, not sure I can attribute that to the medication, though. A couple of months ago, the dosage was increased from 30 mg to 60 mg because there was a stretch where it wasn't seemingly working as well. Well, the 60 mg was working okay at first, then we started working from home, and it kept dropping my blood pressure to dangerous levels, to the point of passing out. I went back to 30 mg, and my blood pressure is close to where it needs to be some of the time, but it seems to be the best I can get on this medication. Close, but no cigar, as they say. I'm mostly upset with the swelling in my legs and feet, I can't wear my shoes anymore or some of my pants, and to get the swelling down, I have to lie down with my feet up for at least half a day to be able to slip on shoes."

• Zeb...
• November 26, 2019

"Started in October 2019, nifedipine 60 mg, along with spironolactone, 25 mg, in the morning. Take metoprolol, 25 mg, at night. High blood pressure detected past January 2019 (age 82). Started on amlodipine; spironolactone was added. While it did move the BP lower, it was still high. Was also taking metoprolol. Significant drop since started with nifedipine and seems to be holding. Side effect: perhaps more urinating at night. Heart issue: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy."

• Nar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2022

"This medication is absolutely horrible. It was tolerable at first, then came the lightheadedness, dizziness, palpitations, vertigo, swelling of legs, sore muscles, tingling in limbs, and tingling at the top of my head."

• jan...
• April 24, 2018

"I started taking Nifedipine for blood pressure. I took it for 2 days, and I noticed my fingers swelling because my ring was always loose, and it became tight. I also experienced what felt like my heart lunging out of my chest. It gave me a good scare, I was afraid to go to sleep on the 2nd evening and never took another one. I am now on lisinopril that has hydrochlorothiazide in it. I feel great on that, my blood pressure is so much better. It was 209/92, but now it is down to 142 over 76. They started me off on a lower dose of lisinopril for two weeks, but today they raised it a little in hopes of taking it down to the normal range."

• Len...
• October 13, 2015

"After taking nifedipine 20 mg sustained release, I started to feel the side effects like fast heartbeat and insomnia. This drug has not helped to lower my BP, hence, I immediately stopped it and took another drug as advised by my GP."

• Tom...
• August 7, 2021

"I took nifedipine 30 mg ER for 3 weeks. It did lower my blood pressure down to almost normal the first day I took it. After a couple of weeks, I began to have a high level of anxiety, as well as fluttering in my chest. I had trouble concentrating and felt dizzy, like I had a couple of alcoholic drinks, along with headaches and a general feeling of ill health. I talked to my doctor and stopped taking the medicine."

• Nif...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 22, 2023

"I have been on nifedipine for 14 years, since the birth of my last child. I take it with atenolol 50 mg. I began 14 years ago on 60 mg once daily (extended release), then several years later reported instances of rapid heartbeats, so we reduced it to 30 mg, and that worked. It works well for hypertension. But, I began noticing water retention from the mid-calves down to my feet and was able to control it at times with natural remedies. The swelling would resolve overnight, but it started all over in the morning. It also seemed to be worse in humid weather. But, presently, nothing works, and they don’t even completely resolve overnight anymore. It’s calcium channel blockers. Edema gets worse over the years. I’m switching to a diuretic and coming completely off nifedipine. Bye-bye nifedipine, I won’t miss you!"

• Joh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2021

"I was taking metoprolol 100 mg and lisinopril with HCTZ 20 12.5 mg for 15 years. My weight was 235 lb, and the metoprolol was causing ED. So I switched to nifedipine. Withdrawing from the metoprolol caused tachycardia for at least 4 months, and now after exercising and weight loss, I have been taking only the nifedipine 30 mg. It has worked well for me, my BP is 120/80, and heart rate is constantly 60 to 80..."

• SSD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2017

"I've been on Procardia XL 60 mg once daily for a few weeks and hate the side effects. It started out with simple tingling in hands, hyperactive bowel sounds, and some constipation. Now I'm experiencing a fast heartbeat. Although it helps to stabilize my BP, it's definitely not worth the side effects, especially the palpitations, which get scary at times. I plan on stopping this med and switching to something else asap!"

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2022

"I take 30 mg Nifedipine, not a generic, it has been a side effect nightmare. Doc has had me on all BP meds. I’m sensitive to generic BP meds. My Doc states my BP is great. But, like others post, sex dysfunction, dreams, urinating all night 30 mins after taking the pill. Pee my whole body water contents out. Doc states not a water pill. It’s a water pill. Most posts list frequent urinating and dehydration, dark urine, and burning after peeing. Urologist states no issues, have had every urine test, culture, Mycoplasma, and STD. All negative. Nifedipine has more side effects than the solution. Docs think I’m crazy and told me I read too damn much. Advocate for yourself. Keep notes. Do whatever. I’ve had heart pounding and ER visits. No issues. Stay away from red meat and salt, especially before your nightly dose. Red meat and salty White Castle burger caused my first heart pounding on the first dose."

• Ede...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2023

"I've had much difficulty with high blood pressure. When I took nifedipine 30mg XL per day, it quickly lowered my BP to the normal range. Sadly, I had to go off it after 3 months due to severe lower extremity edema. As an aside, I've been a critical care nurse for 30 years. Nifedipine 10mg sublingual works miraculously for hypertensive crisis."

• Pad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2019

"High blood pressure has been the bane of my existence for years. I take Clonidine, lisinopril, and recently back on valsartan, aka Diovan. Also added Procardia at the same time. BP drastically better for 4 weeks, but today I am light-headed, dizzy. So discouraging these lousy side effects! Will call Dr. tomorrow."

• Jly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2021

"Recently found out I’m pregnant and had my last child early due to blood pressure, so I was prescribed these this time instead of labetalol and have had horrible swelling in my legs and feet, horrible numbness in my legs when sitting, and upon standing, get extremely light-headed and a tingling sensation in my neck and head. I switched back to my previous med but am still going through the side effects from this medication and am on day 2 without it. I do not recommend this med to anyone, I haven’t gotten off the couch since I started it a month ago."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2018

"I am trying to conceive (TTC), so I had to get off Hydrochlorothiazide medication per my ob-gyn. Went to labetalol 2 times a day and wasn't happy with the itchy scalp and sleepiness. So, I got on nifedipine 30 mg ER and yesterday I was just sitting on my couch when I got super flush and overheated and felt very lightheaded and not myself. My BP shot up to 147/95/101, and I'm never that high on meds. I hurried up and took my beta blocker to see if it would help control it. After a bit, it went down enough to get to bed. Well, I get home from work tonight and my ears start getting very flush, then my neck and my legs. I start getting lightheaded and knew it was like the night before. So, I took my beta blocker and think it's starting to catch it. I'm a hot-natured person, so this flush thing, no matter what time of the year, I can't do it. This drug has not lowered my BP consistently. I'll be calling my doc tomorrow and going back on the labetalol for sure."

• Hbp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2017

Nifedipine "I have been prescribed this medicine for my out-of-control blood pressure. First week, no problems, and my blood pressure went down tremendously. The second week, not so good. I had muscle pains in my stomach and legs! Also, my lips swelled up so bad! I couldn't continue taking that, now I'm just on lisinopril."

• No...
• February 8, 2012

"I was on a different brand of Adalat CC 30 mg. I am a military widow, so I fill most of my prescriptions at military base pharmacies. In Dec. 2011, I had my prescription filled and noted the pill was different in color and size. The military pharmacist told me the government had changed to a different drug company for Adalat and it might take three or more weeks before the new drug formula would work for me. Six weeks later, my blood pressure is not being controlled as well as my former Adalat prescription did. I can't switch to another brand for 90 days because TriCare for Life will not let me fill a new prescription until I run out of the brand I received. I cannot afford to pay over $110 at a civilian pharmacy to change to another brand."