Nifedipine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• jme...
• March 9, 2012

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I am 33 and have SLE with Raynaud's. I do not have high blood pressure, I am actually on the low side. I took this medicine at 3:30 pm, and by 5 pm I developed a severe headache. This headache continued all evening, and at 9:30 pm I was shaking severely, dizzy, and the headache was the worst one I have ever experienced. At that point, I started to get very scared. I called my brother over just in case I needed to go to the ER. When he arrived, he immediately wanted to call an ambulance. I ended up waiting it out, and finally the shaking subsided. The headache still continued the next day, but it was not as severe. The night when everything was going on, I do not remember much of anything. I think from now on I will just keep my blue fingers and toes."

• Tom...
• August 7, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2009

Nifedipine for Raynaud's Syndrome "I am still having Raynaud's attacks, but this medication helps me recover faster from my attacks. Unfortunately, it gives me horrible headaches, but I have to outweigh the good to the bad, and this medicine is helping me."

• Ril...
• February 4, 2021

For Hypertensive Emergency "I had a left basal ganglia stroke due to hypertension. My B/P was 220/125. I was 49 at the time. Upon discharge from the hospital and God’s hand, I was able to go home with minimal effects. I began taking Procardia ER following the stroke and had multiple trips to the ER with severe symptoms of heart palpitations, extreme dizziness, excessive weight gain and swelling, shooting electrical-like pains in my arms, joint pain, severe anxiety, random confusion, and a fuzzy feeling in the back of my head. I was told by the ER, just a headache... need to wait and see what the full effects of your stroke will be... I waited and lived like this, never knowing which day would be a horrible day of symptoms. Finally realized the first hour of getting up in the morning before I took the med, I felt normal, with symptoms starting about 45 minutes after taking it. I know I have no choice but to take some type of medication, but this medication has horrible side effects. I still have issues with B/P and even this med."

• tan...
• July 13, 2011

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I have experienced many ways of taking nifedipine to get rid of the headaches. My doctor has me taking 30 mg XL 3 times a day instead of 90 mg once a day, and I got rid of the headaches and all those other symptoms that you sometimes get."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2010

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I just started using this medication for my Raynaud's flare-ups, which made me extremely cold, especially at night. Procardia XL has been great for improving the circulation in my hands and feet and has kept me warm. My only complaint about the medication is the tension headaches I have been getting since starting the medication and facial flushing. Both are easy to deal with, though."

• Anonymous
• March 19, 2011

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I recently started taking Adalat CC. I have found that if I take it before bed instead of in the mornings, I don't get headaches, but if I take it in the morning, I feel funny and have a headache for most of the morning. I have found that I still have Raynaud's attacks, but I recover somewhat better, and I don't get as numb as I did, but I still get splotchy on my hands, and some blueness shows sometimes."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking nifedipine for almost 2 years. At my 37-week check, my blood pressure was creeping up. I got induced, and my bp remained 140/90. I was first put on labetalol, which works, but every 2 weeks the dosage was having to be increased. So then they put me on nifedipine, which works, but now after a year of being on it, I'm noticing weight gain, upper stomach pains, and swollen ankles and calves. Thinking it's time for me to switch up. I sometimes wake up to a consistent headache that would last all day."

• 1Nc...
• December 7, 2009

"When you first begin taking nifedipine, it causes migraines for about the first 3 days. If you miss 2 or more doses, it causes headaches, flushing, and nausea. I developed a rash and swelling on one side of my face. The rash covered my body. Do not take if you are taking vitamin C or B complex."

• Ray...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

For Raynaud's Syndrome "They think I just have primary Raynaud's. I'm not entirely convinced... Side effects took a week to get used to. They still come and go. My heart rate is higher now, I get a recurring sore throat, and headache. But the Raynaud's episodes are less frequent and shorter. But I am uncomfortable much of the time due to the side effects."

• Mys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2021

For Premature Labor "Baby born 32 weeks and 3 days. I started having bad headaches by the 3rd day. I had swelling in the common places, but my neck still feels swollen. Anyway, I was put on Nifedipine ER 30 mg at 2 weeks and 1 day postpartum, my blood pressure was high. I am having side effects which come on in the late afternoon hours and last until almost 10:30 pm to 11 pm, it all depends. Heart rate is up, headaches, muscle cramps in legs, and my neck is also being affected. I'm seeing my OB-GYN this week. My blood pressure has been normal with the medication, but I can't stand the side effects. I'm hoping I can get off this medication and my blood pressure stays normal now."

• Ash...
• May 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking nifedipine 30 mg, and it keeps my blood pressure good, but it makes me very sick. Bad pressure headaches feel like a zombie, and shaky. My anxiety is way worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Horrible headaches and off feeling, made me lightheaded as well."

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2011

Nifedipine for Raynaud's Syndrome "I have found this medicine very helpful. There was an adjustment period with headaches and dizziness. But it did get better, and the improvements are well worth it."