Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure User Reviews (Page 3)

• Hudson
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 29, 2024

"I’m so happy that I somehow stumbled across these reviews. It explains so many questions on the symptoms I’m experiencing. I’ve been on amlodipine for several years. I was started off with 2.5mg and increased to 5mg and again to 10mg. Although my BP is now stable and my numbers look great, it’s come with an unbearable cost. Consistent headaches, sharp pains that shoot from one side of my head to the other side, chest pains that’s sent me to the ER and to multiple doctor visits, acid reflux, neck pain, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, muscle aches, and back pains. After repeatedly reporting the headaches to my provider, an MRI was ordered and test results show that I’ve suffered a stroke. I’m heartbroken and I feel trapped. How can a medication that keeps my BP in check literally wreck everything else? I think I will put together a plan to rid myself of this medication for the sake of quality of life."

• TMich...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2013

Norvasc (amlodipine) "I'm 32 years old, and at first Amlodipine made me feel depressed, dizzy, and anxious. Now I am used to this medication. I have so much energy. Before this medication, I was on the verge of a heart attack and stroke. My blood pressure is 110/70."

• MsDeb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2019

"While this medication, amlodipine, is very effective in lowering blood pressure, it is the drug with hideous side effects! Side effects are horrible, and I wonder if some can be lifelong even after coming off this drug. Loss of concentration, feeling like I'm in a fog or drugged. Cannot concentrate and do simple tasks. Loss of energy and movement, I can't do what I used to do. Not even walk up or down a small hill. Palpitations - some very scary. I hate amlodipine. Weaning off as I write this. If doctor prescribes it for you, please try an alternate medication; this is horrible. I've read that it's going to be off the market because it is straight-up poison."

• gary
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2023

"Have been on this drug for 4 months, 5mg. The first month was ok but now I feel dizzy, anxious, lightheaded, fatigued, and tired. I have been to the hospital twice for bloods. I have been off work on sick leave due to no energy, and brain fog. You name it, I've had it. I'm now off it. Avoid this med at all costs, it will change your life but not for good."

• Deb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2020

"Been on amlodipine besylate for about 3 weeks for high blood pressure, and I ended up in the ER a few days ago for severe weakness in my right arm. They did an EKG, CT scan, and blood work. Everything was normal. The doctor said it's an injury to the muscles in my shoulder. I'm 53 and very active, running my farm by myself. Now the weakness is also in my right leg. I feel shaky and lightheaded. I'm not taking the amlodipine this morning; I'm waiting for the doctor to call. It did lower my blood pressure, but now I can't do anything."

• Emc
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2020

Norvasc (amlodipine) "Took Norvasc for about 6 weeks. For about four weeks, it very effectively lowered my BP to normal rates, and I was feeling well. For the past 2 weeks, I’ve started feeling lightheaded, experiencing heart palpitations, and arrhythmia. Will be contacting my doctor to change medications."

• James
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2019

"I took amlodipine 5 mg for about 2 weeks. I was fine, but just a few days ago I was sitting, looking at the computer, suddenly I felt dizziness. I went to the ER; they admitted me to the heart hospital. I was told I needed a pacemaker. I declined. Discharged from the hospital after 1 and a half days. On Saturday, I was told by a doctor to cut the pill in half, so I did. The next day I took it, 35 minutes later I felt the dizziness and headache. I did not take the pill the next day, and no dizziness or headache. I called my PCP about my symptoms; he told me to completely stop taking it. Be careful taking this medicine; understand the side effects before taking. I don't recommend it; don't take it."

• Super...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2015

Norvasc (amlodipine) "This medication is cheap, which is why they recommend it so much since it saves the insurance companies a bundle. My BP didn't move at all. Side effects include left shoulder pain, loss of hair, eyesight going bad due to inflammation of the cornea, weakness, tiredness to the point of delusion. The doctor had me go from 5 to 10 mg, and that made everything worse. Three days after stopping it, my shoulder pain went away, and so much energy returned. My mother was put on it by her doctor and had similar results. After she stopped taking it, she no longer needs her walker. I'm 63, and she is 88 going on 29."

• 40-ye...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2023

"I’ve been taking 10mg of Amlodipine for the past 3 months and I have recently developed severe body aches and pains. I’m extremely light-headed and almost passed out at work. I’ve developed anxiety and feeling depressed for the past couple of weeks. I was prescribed this medication as a result of HBP. Don’t know why the doctor did not start me off on a lower dose. I’ve told her about my symptoms but has not lowered the dose. I’m a 40-year-old female that besides the HBP I do not have other issues and I’m not taking any other medications. I can’t sleep at night as I am struggling to fall asleep. I wake up fretting. I’m having tremors and muscle twitching as well as a constant headache and nausea. I have a consult again with the doctor this week but since yesterday I have reduced my dose to 5mg cause the symptoms got worse a few hours after taking the medication. I’ve never been so sick in my life."

• Desi
• August 31, 2020

"I'm a 56-year-old female. Started using Amlodipine 6 months ago, prescribed 5mg after a hypertensive crisis. It controls my BP well but the side effects are horrendous. Headaches, sweating, flushing, eye pain, facial numbness, tingling extremities, backache, weight gain, increased urination at night, palpitations, right heel pain, muscle aches, insomnia, brain fog, neck ache etc. I've observed that the side effects decrease over time but sometimes they reappear with a surge. Propranolol 40 mg brought relief when I experienced these scary surges. I'm giving it some time, but may revert to Co-Aprovel."

• Niall
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2021

"This medication has more or less destroyed my life for the past year. Been to see two different doctors regarding side affects and they told me I was imagining it. Severe chest pain, palpitations, anxiety and panic attacks, blurry vision, muscular aches and pains, fatigued, sleepiness nights and some days find it hard to climb the stairs. Borderline depressed from feeling miserable all of the time. Diagnosed with mild hypertension at the age of 29. Very young. Gave up Amlodipine 5 days ago (w/o instruction from my GP) and started taking magnesium citrate and more exercise. My blood pressure is best it has ever been. Nearly all the horrible symptoms are gone and I've so much more energy. Continuing to monitor BP daily just to be safe. Blood pressure medication is can be awful. I believe we can all cure this naturally!"

• Atlanta
• September 7, 2019

Norvasc (amlodipine) "I was taken off of Procardia XL and moved to Norvasc. After being on this drug for a few months, I started going through some changes. My sex drive was declining rapidly; my blood pressure and weight were going up, as was my anxiety level. I spoke to my physician about placing me back on the Procardia, and he refused. Within two years, my weight was up over 40 lbs; my sex drive was that of an old man, and I was 42. I left my fiancee out of pure loss of interest in women. My blood pressure was way up, as was my anxiety level. I was now being treated for anxieties. I spent twenty years on that drug; I gained over 100 lbs, and my blood pressure was high. I was treated with Testosterone replacement therapy, an out-of-pocket expense of over $600 a month. All in all, that product ruined my life, and now I am back on Procardia, my pressure is down, my testosterone if still low, and I am struggling to lose weight."

• JHBAR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2012

Norvasc (amlodipine) "Within a few days of starting this medicine, I became very aware of my heartbeat and my heart seemed to be racing. I attended a pre-operative assessment where I was given a routine ECG, and this confirmed that I had become tachycardic while taking amlodipine. My pulse was racing at over 100 BPM, and my blood pressure actually went up while I was taking this medicine. I had to discontinue use to stop the adverse effects."

• jotee
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2016

Norvasc (amlodipine) "I was prescribed Amlodipine 5mg, within six to seven hours I had ringing in my ears. My GP persuaded me to persevere, as it was thought the side effect would go away. It didn't! I carried on with the dreadful medication for six weeks, and then ditched it! Five weeks later I still have the tinnitus! How can drug companies be allowed to ruin people's lives - admittedly, tinnitus was stated as one of the side effects, but I was given to believe the side effects would be temporary, not permanent, as seems to be the case! I hate this medication! If I am lucky enough to have the tinnitus disappear, I will repost later! For the time being I would say 'BEWARE'!"

• Mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

"I hate this drug. I was put on amlodipine after developing a severe lisinopril cough. I'm 47 years old and I started exercising and carefully watching my diet. Within the first week of being on 10mg of amlodipine, my feet and ankles swelled so bad I could not fit in my shoes. I was always exhausted. Dropping to 5mg helped with the swelling and fatigue, but the physical side effects were not the worst part of it. Since starting amlodipine, I have become anxious to almost the point of being agoraphobic. I'm irritable. Some days I want to crawl out of my own skin. It has been less than a month and I'm already getting off amlodipine! It and lisinopril have destroyed my faith in modern medicine. I would rather have high blood pressure than feel this way. God help me during the withdrawal process."

• Tiki
• February 9, 2020

"I've been taking 5 mg amlodipine since December 2019. Lately, I've had muscle cramps in my upper back while standing or walking. It's really uncomfortable. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I've also had facial flushing."

• Mrshall
• January 14, 2020

"I started taking Amlodipine 10mg 6 days ago. I was switched from Nifedipine 30mg because I had some unpleasant side effects. Every day on Amlodipine has been worse than the last. I now feel an unshakable sense of dread. My head is stopped up. I can’t taste or smell. I have a headache that will not go away, facial flushing, brain fog, depression, and very high anxiety. IT. IS. NOT. WORTH IT. I noticed the initial symptom of lightheadedness on day 3. It was like I hadn’t eaten (even though I had) and I stood up too fast all the time but even worse when I actually stood up too fast. I will immediately switch back to Nifedipine and then make the lifestyle changes necessary to wean off of BP meds hopefully for the rest of my life. They are awful. I tried to stop taking it but my blood pressure shot up to 162/91. I’ve never seen my top number that high EVER. So I took my Amlodipine because I was scared and as I had guessed everything just got way worse from there."

• bobbyb
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 18, 2021

"I am on Amlodipine 10mg for almost 3 years, my BP before I started taking it was 150/100 and white coat effect can spike up to 190/110. I am a 40 year old male, ex-military etc. Also using Ramipril 10mg and diuretics (for edema usual amlodipine side effect). First 2 years all works well my bp 110/60-130/80 with white coat effect 140/90. BUT after two years side effect show up, anxiety, tremors, headaches pressure in head like, constipation which causing spikes in bp, tiredness etc... Anyway I am fighting with these side effects everyday now, they usually come after 6 hours after I take amlodipine which is a peak time of this medication. Difficult to stop taking it without causing any "damage" , tried taking it half dose but side effects are still there. I am trying natural stuff, black seeds, turmeric, coq10 enzymes, but this will take some time to see changes, exercise cardio daily, strict diet, no salt, no sugar, no fat...and no stress and these must stay as a permanent lifetime changes..."

• Daytime
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2020

"On this drug for 8 days. First side effect, 5 days in, was skin tingling similar to an allergic reaction. Next side effect, on the 8th day, was elevated heart rate. Based on the side effects already experienced and the reviews on this site, I will discontinue this medication."

• TOano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2019

"I was put on amlodipine besylate for hypertension about 2 years ago. I immediately felt lethargic, dizzy, tired, and anxious. I used to walk and hike, but could not anymore as my legs and feet got severely swollen, and I had pains in my legs. I also got bouts of vertigo and was very short of breath when walking up a mild incline. It felt like I was having a heart attack with chest pain. I gained about 20 lbs and struggled to get a good night's sleep. I went off it about a month ago, and my blood pressure is normal, my symptoms are gone, I have more energy, and can now hike as before. I cannot believe this is allowed to be prescribed."

• Ebby
• January 31, 2014

"I've been taking this medication for about 4 months. The first month was fine; it brought my blood pressure down to acceptable numbers. The side effects started gradually. I was really forgetful and would sometimes feel confused. Then the trembling in my legs started, then spread to my arms, went from trembling to twitching really fast, then it spread to my face. During this time, anxiety slowly crept in; it was getting a little worse every day until it was a constant feeling. Pressure in my head constantly and full-blown panic attacks by month 4. I discussed this with my doctor, and I stopped taking this medication 2 days ago and was prescribed something else. I can feel my anxiety subsiding."

• Real_...
• March 18, 2014

"It has lowered my blood pressure, which was crazy high (upper number 210 once and otherwise always in the 190s). Everything was fine at first. But now I'm so tired, it hurts. I am actually so fatigued that I am close to not being able to function. I have also noticed some double vision (comes and goes)."

• Oskar
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2019

"I have been on amlodipine for three months to treat hypertension, which the drug has reduced from 150/90 to 148/84 at a dose of 10 mg/day, which is practically no effect at all. It has produced debilitating side effects, however, and my feet and ankles are now grotesquely swollen, I become breathless every time I climb the stairs, I am constantly light-headed, and I have no strength whatsoever. In short, it has utterly ruined my life, and if I don't come off this hideous drug soon I will have to retire from my job."

• LadyVan
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2021

"Daily resting BP readings for week prior to taking the drug were all normal, in the 100/s-130's over 60's to the 80's. Told I had "exercise-induced hypertension." Prescribed 2.5 mg amlodipine. After 1 day on amlodipine, my BP was up to 163/86 and my husband and I both thought I was going to have a stroke. I couldn't breathe, my heart would pound, skip, flutter, had horrible headaches, bloodshot eyes, dizzy and faint--all symptoms I'd never had previously. The entire week, my BP readings were 10-20 points higher than my normal average. Terrifying. I've been off it 4 days and already feel so much better, although the half life of this medicine is outrageous and can take 10 days before it leaves your system. This drug was recalled in 22 countries."

• Kay...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 12, 2018

Norvasc (amlodipine) "I have been on Norvasc for over 17 years now. Before Norvasc, my doctor tried me on other BP meds, and it didn't keep my pressure down. But when my doctor put me on Norvasc 5mg, my pressure is always beautiful as long as I take my Norvasc. So, I want to thank the company who made this pressure pill because it works wonders for me. 17 plus years on Norvasc and will not have it any other way. The number 10 is not high enough to rate this pill."