Nifedipine and Insomnia: 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Roc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2019

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure "I have been on Nifedipine ER for a year to treat my B/P, and I take it with Metoprolol & Losartan. The nifedipine has been effective in keeping my B/P stable (the Metoprolol & Losartan by themselves not so much). However, I have to put up with bad side effects - swelling of feet, some heart palpitations, flushing of face (on & off), sleep disturbances, really bad neck & shoulder muscle pain. These side effects will last from 4-6 hours while the nifedipine is working in my body. I’m talking to my doctor about getting a possible substitute to see if it has fewer side effects. I don’t know if these side effects are very common, but this has been my experience."

• Ext...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I felt I needed to share my experience in case anyone else thinks they are losing their mind while taking this medicine. I have no history of hypertension but got preeclampsia with my last pregnancy that developed chronic hypertension after delivery. While on nifedipine, I experienced severe anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia. It also did not control my b.p."

• 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!"

• bta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "This drug, nifedipine, is truly awful. I first experienced swollen feet and ankles. Then, sleep problems. After several hours, I wake and can't go back to sleep. Extreme fatigue. Extreme weakness, particularly in arms, shoulders, and upper back. I can't get anything done around the house. And now, finally, breathing problems. It works, but it is not worth the side effects because you aren't really living being on this medicine. I've been on it about 6 weeks. So much for modern medicine... My doctor is going to put me on something else soon."

• Mrs...
• February 6, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Nifedipine ER (XI) 30 mg does a great job controlling blood pressure, but the side effects are getting too much to bear. Memory loss, muscle cramps/stiffness, dry mouth and lips, and tingling around lips, dry throat, increased urination, severe itching (head, hands, forearms, face), shakiness, upper (right) abdominal pain, vision changes, drastic hair loss, trouble sleeping. Put shod foot on the floor and couldn't tell if it was on the floor or not."

• Red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on Nifedipine 30mg for 1 week for high blood pressure. I feel shaky inside, legs stay cold, have joint aches, insomnia, and skin tingles at night. I take this medicine along with my Losartan. I hope I can get over all the side effects."

• 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."

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

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Len...
• October 13, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking nifedipine for over a year, and the side effect for me is awful. I can't sleep. I am taking it along with Enalapril."

• Le ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "The most severe side effect of this drug is sexual dysfunction and lack of sleep. So it is not healthy for guys who still want to enjoy their sex life."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2010

For Raynaud's Syndrome "Took this for 3 weeks and developed a severe rash, burning and itchy. It appeared all over my arms, legs, and hands. Lost much sleep. Didn't improve Raynaud's syndrome."