Nifedipine and Headaches: What Users Say

• CCa...
• October 14, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I take nifedipine 60mg 2x a day. First started with 30mg 1x a day, my blood pressure was still high so Dr. increased to 60mg a day and 30mg at night. Later switched it to 60mg 2x a day. Side effects in the beginning: dizziness and fast heart rate. At times, it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest when I would wake up in the middle of the night. Then the twitching in my left hand, told my Dr. to keep taking the medicine. I would get really cold and shiver so I drove myself to the ER because my body was so cold. Dr. still kept me on this medicine. I have headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. Dr. kept me on this medicine and prescribed me anxiety pills. Now I have tingling in my feet, legs, hands, arms, and the top of my head. I'm also having muscle spasms in my calves, thighs, arms, and hands. These headaches are getting 10x worse. I have pressure in my head and chills going through my head with a burning sensation in the back of my head."

• CCa...
• October 14, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I take nifedipine 60mg 2x a day. First started with 30mg 1x a day, my blood pressure was still high so Dr. increased to 60mg a day and 30mg at night. Later switched it to 60mg 2x a day. Side effects in the beginning: dizziness and fast heart rate. At times, it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest when I would wake up in the middle of the night. Then the twitching in my left hand, told my Dr. to keep taking the medicine. I would get really cold and shiver so I drove myself to the ER because my body was so cold. Dr. still kept me on this medicine. I have headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. Dr. kept me on this medicine and prescribed me anxiety pills. Now I have tingling in my feet, legs, hands, arms, and the top of my head. I'm also having muscle spasms in my calves, thighs, arms, and hands. These headaches are getting 10x worse. I have pressure in my head and chills going through my head with a burning sensation in the back of my head."

• Mee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Nifedipine during a visit to the ER with BP 179/104. After taking the first dose, my BP lowered to 130/80. I have been taking Nifedipine for about three months now and this is the only BP med I have been able to tolerate. My BP has been steady at 116/70 - 120/72. Side effects: severe headache when I first started taking the medication. After 3 days, the headache went away. They only return when I miss a dose. Constipation, heart palpitations (frightening), trouble sleeping due to vivid dreams and nightmares, constant urination (I take my pill at night), calf pain that comes and goes; same with swelling in my feet but not as much."

• Ter...
• May 6, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking this medicine off and on for close to a year, switching doctors trying to get away from it. It’s like they are pushing this medicine on people or if you have not that good of insurance it’s like you only have a certain group of blood pressure medicine they will let you take. Well, I started on 30 mg nifedipine and told the doctor of breathing problems, severe headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, shortness of breath, and he upped it to 60 mg. What craziness is this? This medication is very wicked, should be taken off the market. I feel this medication is used for mental patients, one minute I’m hot, one minute I’m sweating, one minute I’m cold, one minute I’m shaking and the headaches are out of this world they should look deeper into this medication. The FDA should take it off the market, it's no good. I’m still searching to find a doctor to prescribe some good medication. What happened to all the good medication that was out there a few years ago?"

• Ter...
• May 6, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking this medicine off and on for close to a year, switching doctors trying to get away from it. It’s like they are pushing this medicine on people or if you have not that good of insurance it’s like you only have a certain group of blood pressure medicine they will let you take. Well, I started on 30 mg nifedipine and told the doctor of breathing problems, severe headaches, back pain, shoulder pain, shortness of breath, and he upped it to 60 mg. What craziness is this? This medication is very wicked, should be taken off the market. I feel this medication is used for mental patients, one minute I’m hot, one minute I’m sweating, one minute I’m cold, one minute I’m shaking and the headaches are out of this world they should look deeper into this medication. The FDA should take it off the market, it's no good. I’m still searching to find a doctor to prescribe some good medication. What happened to all the good medication that was out there a few years ago?"

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I react poorly to BP meds. I have taken different drugs for many years always combined with strong allergy medicine due to severe hay fever. When I started taking BP meds, the allergy drugs apparently masked side effects the drugs were giving me. After many years, it tore up my entire digestive system. I stopped taking everything. It took months for them to wear off. I never felt better. One day, 2 years after stopping, my BP is 180+/110+. Primary care said it was too high, and we began trying BP meds again. Without allergy medicine, my side effect symptoms were immediate: nausea, headaches, and dizziness. I was sick all day. I stopped all BP meds again and felt great. Then we tried nifedipine XR. Within 1 hour, I had insomnia followed by an extreme, debilitating headache, nausea, dizziness, and my BP soared. I have never been this sick. The effects have lasted now for 5 days. I only took one 30mg dose! For me and many others, this drug causes severe reactions. I don't think it should be on the market."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Nifedipine is the worst drug I have ever taken in my life. I have known no peace at all for the past two months since I started taking it. My side effects from the nifedipine are headaches, dizziness, shaking, trembling, and I feel like I'm floating in water, feeling like something is crawling on my body."

• Jc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on this because it was thought that Labetalol was causing breathing problems with my pregnancy. Turns out the shortness of breath was due to COVID. This medication really makes me miss Labetalol, which my insurance now won't cover. :( My heart has been racing, the headaches are severe and frightening, my muscles ache, I can barely sleep (whilst also feeling very fatigued) and my mouth is super dry. I can't do this anymore. I already have terrible anxiety. My blood pressure was on average about 130/80 beforehand. So it did lower my blood pressure in the 125s/70s range. I really hope my OBGYN has another medication safe for hypertension during pregnancy I can take. Lisinopril never made me feel so awful. Pray for me, please."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed nifedipine 60 mg after a visit to the doctor with a blood pressure of 186/100. I took the medicine and started feeling worse, with horrible headaches for 3 days, and on the 3rd day, I was rushed to the ER and admitted to the hospital because I had a T.I.A. (mini stroke) and a BP of 211/126. Once the medication left my system, my blood pressure stabilized. This medication is not for everyone."

• ala...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was switched from Enalapril 10 mg, which was causing hair loss and not controlling my blood pressure very well, to 30 mg Procardia (generic). As soon as my second day on it, I had a headache (unusual for me) and felt extremely tired. My blood pressure was down to 132/88, and I was pleased. On the third day, I started with insomnia, a worse headache, I felt anxious, dizzy, and foggy. In the afternoon, my feet started feeling weird, and my blood pressure was elevated again (154/90). I was also starting to feel very depressed. I called my doctor, and he told me to stop taking the medication. I'd rather lose weight and exercise to control my blood pressure than experience these side effects!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor switched me to this nifedipine medication since we are TTC. She prescribed 30 mg ER tablets. About an hour after taking my first dose, I get a throbbing headache, nausea, and can't sleep (I take it at night before bed). An hour later, at 1:30 am, I get up to use the bathroom, and it feels like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. I stand still for a few minutes and try to calm down and let my watch take my heart rate, and it comes back at 139 bpm standing still, and it still feels like my heart is going to pop out of my chest. I wake up my husband (he's an EMT) and have him check my BP and heart rate. BP is 138/88, which isn't bad for me, but still not where it should be, and heart rate while sitting is 95 bpm but still pounding. The next morning, any time I stand up, my heart rate spikes to over 100 bpm, and I had a throbbing headache and nausea most of the day, and it lasted well after the 24 hours that the medication is supposed to last. Will not be taking this medication ever again."

• Jin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "STOP TAKING THIS DRUG!!! It’s dangerous, for me, it causes chest pain, swollen feet and legs, tingly feet, burning sensation in the legs, headaches, weight gain, sharp pains in the lower back, heart palpitations, numbness. I took it for one month, I wish I didn’t. The doctor kept telling me to keep taking it or else I would have a stroke. All the doctors care about is $$$$$."

• Ame...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on nifedipine 30 mg for 7 days. I have the shakes right now, my chest feels tight. It’s 1:25 am, I can’t sleep. My heart is racing, and my blood pressure is still high this whole time! The first 2 days it was 80 over 60, now it’s kinda high at 154/87. I’ve been having headaches. I’m always tired, this sucks. Tonight will be the last time I take nifedipine."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was initially on HCTZ (25 mg) before pregnancy. BP was perfect throughout my entire pregnancy, but after having DD, my BP increased. I started taking Toprol XL (25 mg), and it increased my pressure to triple digits systolic and diastolic! I was then started on Nifedipine (30 mg 1x/day) a few days ago, and I’ve experienced the worst headaches. I am now swelling in my ankles and having the shakes in my hands. My BP is still in the triple digits, and it’s stressing me out."

• Nin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I just started taking nifedipine 30 mg for almost a month. It has been the worst experience I have ever had in my life. I experienced headaches, constipation, swollen feet, a burning sensation in my legs (left side worse than the right), heart palpitations, and a sore throat when I swallow. I got a cyst in the back of my knees, there were days when I couldn’t move because it was so painful. My BP was very high. My doctor would just tell me to keep taking it, or else I’ll get a stroke. It got so bad that I went to the ER, and they just told me the same thing: don’t stop taking it. This is a cheap drug, it shouldn’t be on the market! It’s dangerous and opens the door for more complications/more drugs $$$$."

• jlw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I took this today for the first and last time. A couple of hours after taking my newly prescribed 30 mg dose, my heart was pounding, and a migraine started. I had a panic attack because I was so distraught over the side effects. It's been 10 hours, and my head is still throbbing. I cannot wait for this pill to be out of my body completely. There has got to be better BP meds out there! I have been miserable all day. I will not take this again!"

• Pet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2012

Nifedipine for Raynaud's Syndrome "I've had no numbness in my fingers or toes since starting this medicine. Before starting, I could not even carry a jug of milk without my fingers losing color from lack of blood flow. Even driving with mittens on was a problem. Now, circulation is great. My only complaint is the terrible headaches, tiredness, and a bit of insomnia. I'm still trying to decide what's worse: the headaches or the numbness all winter."

• Lor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "This medication, nifedipine ER 30mg for blood pressure, changed my life. I’m now so foggy-headed, heat flushes, headache, shortness of breath, tight bloated stomach, feeling unwell. This is not easy for a person to bear on a regular basis."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was placed on the above-referenced drug on October 27, 2021. My blood pressure did indeed drop from 196/109 to 157/88 after about two days of taking it. By the 6th day, I started feeling major side effects: neck and shoulder pain and a severe headache that caused me to have to call the paramedics in the middle of the night. It was scary because I felt I was having a stroke. It was the worst headache I had ever experienced. This drug is not for everyone! Definitely not me. God bless whoever takes this medicine. Blessings and miracles."

• col...
• December 19, 2015

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I do not have circulation issues, but I do have Raynaud's, likely as a result of lupus. I also have BP on the low side. I take this once a day in the winter and have not noticed any of the side effects mentioned (headaches, dizziness), but my already bad leg/foot cramps get much worse -- sometimes debilitating. To counteract that, I take magnesium in the form of Calm at night... my cramps are much better!! I guess I recommend both... I am wondering what time of day is best to take this... I can have sleep issues and don't want to make that worse."

• Mag...
• October 31, 2013

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I have been taking 1 tablet of nifedipine XL 30 mg ER for almost 2 years. I stop in the summer and start again when it gets cold, and that works well for me. I haven't had any of the side effects, such as rashes or headaches, but I have been very tired, and now that I think of it, it's probably because I've been taking it during the day instead of at night like I used to. The only problem with that is if you like to have a cocktail, and for times like that, I just don't take it."

• Jes...
• June 13, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• jaz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2014

Nifedipine for Raynaud's Syndrome "I started the nifedipine/Procardia this morning. About 4 hours later, the rare side effects kicked in. Heart palpitations, dizziness, headache, and I was FREEZING. Even at 43, I still call my mommy. She wasn't thrilled I was going to take it anyway since I have perfect blood pressure. But she recommended laying on my left side. That did help, even if it did take a while for me to get warm again. The headache is still lingering."

• Mis...
• January 30, 2013

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I do notice a difference! Headaches were a problem at first, but then they went away after about two weeks. You recover quicker from an attack. My left middle finger is completely normal, but my right middle finger is still a little purple, but better for sure! Going to take it for the winter months!"

• Whi...
• February 22, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "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."