Amlodipine and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Currently going through torture. 3 ER visits, 2 urgent care visits, and 1 PCP visit all in the month of June. My symptoms are getting worse and no one will listen to me. I’m having heart palpitations, muscle cramps, anxiety, upper left back ache/sharp pain. I’ve been on amlodipine for 4 months and my blood pressure has been lowered, but I can’t function like this. 3 EKGs and the last 2 are now showing PVCs, I’m being told the premature heartbeat is harmless but it feels like I’m going to have a heart attack. Each doctor I’ve seen and spoken with has said Amlodipine wouldn’t cause any of this. I don't think they know, my only reason for starting this medication was high blood pressure. Pray for me, I need a doctor who will listen."

• Jen...
• June 6, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was on amlodipine for about 3 months, and it was the worst experience ever. I had anxiety, muscle twitching, tremors that have not gone away, and I’ve been off of it for a month and still having side effects from it. I had to go to a neurologist and cardiologist because of all the side effects and had 3 trips to the ER. It also gives you panic attacks and a really bad burning pain on my upper right thigh. It is the worst drug I have ever been on, and my doctor told me I was just going through something in life. Don’t take this drug, it is awful."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on this drug amlodipine for a few weeks for high blood pressure. My side effects are I've experienced extremely bad headaches, my arms and legs feel very weak and heavy, I have pain in my chest, and I feel like I have nasal drip that I can't clear. Also, dry mouth, strange dreams. I am taking myself off of it. And let me not forget about the backache and anxiety."

• Flo...
• June 16, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I don’t usually write reviews but felt had to with this. Only took two 5mg tablets and awful side effects and experience. Day 1 severe dizziness, headache, and very bad chest pain, and a wired feeling. Day 2 anxiety through the roof, could not think straight, dizzy, breathless. And blood pressure going up not down. Stopped it and next two days still very high anxiety, breathless, and chest tightness. Really wanted this to work and bring down blood pressure and I’m happy to ride out side effects, but this drug is scary, thought I’d have to go to A&E but rode it out. Day 3 now since I took the tablets and all improved but now bad stomach pains, diarrhea, and back pains. Think it’s all the end of this drug coming out of the system. First time I’ve taken a blood pressure med and really scared me. Disappointed. I stopped it myself as the doctor would probably say try longer, nope! Maybe more exercise. Not in a hurry to try an alternative one."

• Flo...
• June 16, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I don’t usually write reviews but felt had to with this. Only took two 5mg tablets and awful side effects and experience. Day 1 severe dizziness, headache, and very bad chest pain, and a wired feeling. Day 2 anxiety through the roof, could not think straight, dizzy, breathless. And blood pressure going up not down. Stopped it and next two days still very high anxiety, breathless, and chest tightness. Really wanted this to work and bring down blood pressure and I’m happy to ride out side effects, but this drug is scary, thought I’d have to go to A&E but rode it out. Day 3 now since I took the tablets and all improved but now bad stomach pains, diarrhea, and back pains. Think it’s all the end of this drug coming out of the system. First time I’ve taken a blood pressure med and really scared me. Disappointed. I stopped it myself as the doctor would probably say try longer, nope! Maybe more exercise. Not in a hurry to try an alternative one."

• Mik...
• December 26, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking amlodipine on November 6, 2020. My normal blood pressure is around 140/84. Dr. Prescribed amlodipine. I had headaches, nightmares, and crazy anxiety from this medication. I stopped cold turkey, and my BP went up to 150/100. I have been off of it for 5 days, and I am having heart palpitations bad. I can feel my blood pumping in the back of my neck. I read it takes 11.5 days to get this medication out of the system. I saw an emergency Dr. on December 26, 2020, and he said he never heard of those side effects. Guess he should read this page and see what that medicine is doing to people."

• Sim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Amlodipine a month ago, and let me say it's been the worst month of my life, and I have been through some hard things in my life. I've had every side effect you could think of, but the worst for me was the dizziness, lack of appetite, headaches, and rapid heartbeat. It causes severe anxiety, all I can do is lay and worry because I can't function normally from being so dizzy. I hate this drug with a passion. Please, if you're reading this and experiencing any side effects, it only gets worse. Tell your doctor to switch you. I'm back on Metoprolol as of 3 days ago, and very slowly feeling better, and hoping it continues."

• Nit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on amlodipine besylate for 6 days. I have experienced the following: extreme anxiety, feels like my heart is trying to beat its way out of my chest, can’t think straight, weird vivid dreams, sleeping on my back and I wake up with a drowning feeling, dry mouth and dry skin. My blood pressure has been stable. I am not taking this drug again. Thank Goodness for this site. I will contact my doctor tomorrow."

• Bet...
• October 2, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve taken amlodipine for a little over a month and I find it very bad. Every side effect possible I have: light-headed, tightness around head and neck. Buzzing sounds, vivid dreams. Can’t sleep, dry mouth, infection in left eye, nervousness, and depression; been off for just five days and I feel so drained!! Who can help get this pill out of my system!!"

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2019

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "Horrible med. I started to have swollen tongue, lips, and face. Also, hands and feet were swollen. I stopped taking it and slept the night sitting up. I felt depressed, anxious, irritable, and had no energy. I almost died on lisinopril, having to rush to the hospital with a terribly swollen tongue, even uvula. They gave me every shot they had, which I thought I might die from. An adrenaline shot is the worst. After a few months on Norvasc, at night laying down each night, it got harder to breathe, especially through my nose. This is my second day off, and I bought four natural remedies, and I finally feel like myself. I had no desire to do anything. I think these medicines are like poison. I can’t take them, and I won’t, no matter what. I will do whatever I need to. I almost choked to death trying to swallow scrambled eggs. I am totally done with BP meds unless they are natural. My throat is still bothering me but getting better."

• Ove...
• April 13, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor put me on 5mg of Amlodipine for hypertension. I took 1 dose and was done! The insomnia, panic attacks, anxiety, and thirst were out of control. I already have severe panic, anxiety, and PTSD. Why would they give me a medication that has the same side effects as what I already have? I was so scared, I also had back pain in my kidney area and was super thirsty! I drink a lot of water and fluids anyway, but I was really worried when I felt like I just couldn’t drink enough water overnight. I was waking up every hour with not only the already anxious panic of insomnia and fear that I would never get more than an hour of sleep at a time again, but the feeling of needing water because of dry mouth and thirst really scared me. I think I may have gotten a total of 4 hours of rest the whole night. I definitely do not recommend this medication at all to anyone, especially if you are chemically sensitive to medication like me."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Been on amlodipine for about 2 months. I haven’t been able to do anything this entire week because I was EXHAUSTED and had severe anxiety. Writing this review is taking every bit of strength I have. I’ve spent so much money going to doctors' appointments trying to figure out what’s wrong with me. I’m so glad I found this thread of reviews, as my symptoms mimic much of what has been said: earache, headache, fatigue, swollen glands, anxiety, ear ringing, finger pain, etc. Giving it a two because it can bring down BP, SLIGHTLY"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2016

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "Awful drug run! Where do I begin? I was prescribed Amlodipine besylate 10mg to either take a 10mg pill a day I could break in half. Muscle weakness and muscle depletion, it's like acid that eats your muscles and makes the skin crawl literally... You can feel the pulses pound in your ankles. Fire in stomach, then chills all over the body. Labored breathing, wheezing, coughing, congestion caused me to get bronchitis, which I've never had in my life... Drowning feeling in chest and lungs. Weakness, tingling in head thought I was having a stroke. Tingling in toes and fingers, extreme coldness... Cramping, anxiety, fatigue makes you feel you're in another world or are just there... Thought I was dying, felt like organs were shutting down. Run folks."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Ok, so original BP was about 158/98 roughly, went on this drug and it brought this down to 135/88 roughly. I took the drug for about 3-4 months and the drug works (why I am giving this a score 2). There was one large issue for me, the anxiety I felt was off the scale and I almost thought I was going insane at times and I still think this now. I had a weird dream last night that kept me awake and I have started to be always exhausted. I have stopped taking the drug today just because I could not bear the anxiety this gave me and I've never had these anxiety issues before. I did have other symptoms such as hot face, back ache, twitching finger and thumb, and tingles in my right hand. I am going to stop taking this for some time to see if the anxiety gets 'less' and if it does, I will not be using this again."

• Red...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "On amlodipine 8 years, 1st 4 years no problems, started having pain that got worse over time, 2 months ago my mom was hospitalized with swollen legs, they took her off her BP med, the swelling was a side effect. Yep amlodipine, I never knew we were on the same med. Did my research, I had 15 side effects. I took myself off after ordering holistic alternatives. I had chronic pain every day for 2 to 3 years some days worse than others, but always pain. I could no longer work out, I could barely move, hip pain, muscle pain, joint pain, no mobility/flexibility were so unbearable on some days all I could do was cry, gained 50 lbs, lost my libido, anxiety, brain fog & more. I've been off the amlodipine 6 weeks & 98% pain-free, mobility/flexibility coming back, I'm working out & maintaining BP. I'm aging backwards now, I felt like an old woman, but getting younger every day. I will do all I can through nutrition, holistic medicine, and working out to be healthy. My mom had a lot of the same side effects, she is no longer using her cane. Be your own advocate."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Oh my god, this medicine is awful. I've been taking it for 3 weeks. I'm stopping it today. I'm experiencing extreme anxiety, nausea, tremors, muscle pain, I can't control my thoughts, depression, slower physical reactions, and breathlessness. It has helped my blood pressure a lot but I can't live like this. I'm making changes today to eat better and walk. I pray that everyone here experiencing these horrible symptoms gets better."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was started on Amlodipine 5mg for my blood pressure. I initially had a headache from it and then it turned into a weird feeling. I felt like a hamster on a wheel that could not get off it. Crazy vivid dreams and really bad insomnia. Normally, I fall asleep in 10 minutes. I’d be up until 1 am. When I did sleep, it was crazy vivid dreams. Also, skin flushing and red spots on my face. Took 5 days of it and quit mainly because of the crazy anxiety it gave me (when I don’t normally have it) and the bad insomnia. I took myself off it and now I’m trying another med. Oh, and I had heart palpitations and a racing pulse as well. Not for me."

• gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 18, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Have been on this drug for 4 months, 5 mg. The first month was okay, but now I feel dizzy, anxious, lightheaded, fatigued, and tired. I have been to the hospital twice for blood tests. 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 medication at all costs, it will change your life, but not for good."

• Bad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "For me, I did not get the side effects right away - you get them after drug build-up in your system. Then suddenly, I started experiencing the worst anxiety in my entire life, doom, and depression, depersonalization, thought I was losing my mind. I stopped the drug, and although these symptoms are decreasing, I still have them pretty severe at times. I am off this poison for almost 90 days now. Can't believe they even prescribe this nightmare. I am so angry my doctor even gave me this in the first place! Needs to be immediately withdrawn from the market - don't take this!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 23, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on amlodipine 5 mg since February. Ever since then, I have been on and off of work, panic attacks, stomach pains, and terrible back pain, feeling tired and anxious all the time. My heart is also paining. All good things it has done is to lower my blood pressure. I want to try a new pill, but my doctor says there is nothing wrong with this pill. I am scared of not taking the pill and ending up getting sick more from withdrawal."

• raj...
• October 7, 2015

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I was hypertensive 140/90 and was put on Norvasc 5mg three years ago. My normal BP at GP is 130/80. At home, it is usually 120/70. Throughout these years, my mental health became very poor - short-term memory loss, easily forget day-to-day tasks, my wife has to remind me. I felt like a very anxious person - depressed, anxious, panic by thinking about my health. Urination during the night, waking up periodically during the night, tremors while sleeping (sometimes), tingling feeling in my arms, and many more. I didn't really have a quality life in the past three years. I went back to the doctor and requested to change to a different group. Today is the second day I stopped Norvasc. I hope that I become a normal person after this."

• Ric...
• May 21, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "The first few days I took Amlodipine 5 mg, I felt like I was going to have an anxiety attack, and was a little light-headed. As I got used to the med, the feelings decreased but I still have that panic feeling once in a while. After a week, my right leg and ankle became swollen, but not my left leg. I also experience nausea with this medicine and a loss of appetite, which, in part, is good as I'm overweight. However, I could do without the nausea. I always take this medication with food and my other meds in the morning. It has dropped my high blood pressure from 200/97 to 140/83. This is the only good thing about this medicine. I can't put my finger on it, but I just don't feel right since I've been taking Amlodipine 5 mg."

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

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "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."

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

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been taking 10 mg 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 feelings of depression 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 she 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 5 mg because the symptoms got worse a few hours after taking the medication. I’ve never been so sick in my life."

• Atl...
• September 7, 2019

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "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."