Amlodipine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on this for blood pressure of 180/100 with a 'thready pulse' of 102, dizziness and lightheadedness. It brought my pressure and pulse back down to the 'normal' zone (within 4 hours); however, the downside has been extreme fatigue (all I want to do is sleep) and migraine headaches that last throughout the day, as well as a feeling of anxiety and irritability. The doctor had told me it will pass once my body adjusts to it (a few more weeks), but I don't see it happening. The only positive thing is it got my pressure and pulse down, but this isn't working for me adverse reaction-wise. (5 mg once a day)."

• No ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 24, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Horrible medication, had anxiety before taking it, but it became anxiety on steroids, terrible doom and gloom unnatural anxiety. I am off this poison and still experiencing anxiety attacks of great severity and haven't taken this crap for over 2 months. This med needs an investigation, should be outlawed!!!"

• hea...
• October 17, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I stopped amlodipine a couple of times since I started taking it about a year ago, but kept going back to it due to rising blood pressure. While taking amlodipine, I developed severe anxiety and nervousness, also weight loss and reduced appetite. More recently, I've developed gastric problems, dry mouth, and severe weakness and fatigue. I stopped taking it about 3 days ago, fatigue and weakness do not seem to be getting better, also feeling a bit dizzy. Although it has lowered my BP to normal levels, the side effects are unbearable. Anyone know how long before this resolves?"

• hea...
• October 17, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I stopped amlodipine a couple of times since I started taking it about a year ago, but kept going back to it due to rising blood pressure. While taking amlodipine, I developed severe anxiety and nervousness, also weight loss and reduced appetite. More recently, I've developed gastric problems, dry mouth, and severe weakness and fatigue. I stopped taking it about 3 days ago, fatigue and weakness do not seem to be getting better, also feeling a bit dizzy. Although it has lowered my BP to normal levels, the side effects are unbearable. Anyone know how long before this resolves?"

• Kmc...
• August 25, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking this drug after Lisinopril caused me to cough 24/7. Started with 5mg for HBP 140/90. Instantly gained about 20lbs. Exercise became more difficult, hands fall asleep at night, every night, unless I wear arm braces, swelling in ankles, general feeling of being in a 'fog' and also very easily irritated. Nodding off around 6pm after work, but force myself to stay awake. When I go to bed, I have insomnia. I decided to cut the pill in half, take it at night and now I have joint pains along with other symptoms. My worst day yet, I just didn't feel right all day, felt confused, anxious to drive to work. Stopped taking the drug that day and one day later I feel like myself again. Symptoms fading, will ask doc for different drug."

• MKO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this medication because my blood pressure was high. After a few days, I would get a little lightheaded occasionally. On day 6, I had a really bad turn. I was dizzy, fatigued, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, tingling in both arms, dry mouth, anxiety, and spasms in my legs. I ended up in the hospital and was taken off the medication immediately. It's been 6 days since I have been off the medication, and I am much better but still get some symptoms. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life."

• Pat...
• September 10, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking amlodipine for 4 months. Started to experience extreme lethargy, palpitations, depression, anxiety, and tinnitus. So bad I packed my job up. Started reading reviews on the drug. I stopped taking the drug 4 days ago, symptoms have almost disappeared. It got to the stage I felt I would rather risk a stroke, etc., than carry on feeling the way I did. I am now monitoring my BP myself, up to now, it's been perfect."

• ove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "This is my second med for blood pressure. The first was metoprolol, which had me completely out of it. I was switched to Norvasc, along with propranolol to calm the anxiety, but it hasn't worked. I get 3-4 hours of sleep, whereas before the meds, I was sleeping 8-10 hours. I have this overwhelming feeling on a daily basis, along with anxiety and panic. I have these uncontrolled shivers in the middle of the morning like I'm cold. Now, the nausea is so bad I haven't been able to eat a full meal in over 2 weeks. I'm always tired and starting to have self-esteem issues due to the rapid weight loss of 20 lbs. I see the doctor tomorrow to get off this medicine, it has taken more from me than helped. I need my normal back!"

• Lue...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 9, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking this medicine for two years and a half. I know this might sound crazy, I thought I was dying every day. This medicine is horrible. I had extreme fatigue, was tired all the time, was dizzy, and had headaches, confusion, and brain fog. I thought I was losing my mind. I also experienced heart palpitations that sent me to the ER more than once. I also had extreme anxiety. I stopped taking this medicine four days ago and feel so much better. Though I am still having really bad headaches now."

• Bin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "5 mg amlodipine with 100 mg losartan. Initially good result, but after a few weeks, pain in hips, thigh, and leg muscles rendering walking a painful process. Mind-dulling experience also. Depression, anxiety, and lack of motivation."

• Mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "50-year-old male. Highly stressful position as a trial attorney. Blood pressure has been consistently in the 150/100 range; sometimes higher. Finally recognized I needed to be put on something. Incidentally, I also have psoriasis and learned that I cannot take a beta blocker as allegedly this makes psoriasis worse. I was then put on this calcium channel blocker, amlodipine. In short, it brought my BP down to the range of 140/95 for 2 weeks consistently. So that part worked. However, and consistent with the other reviews, I literally had swelling of both ankles after the 5th day of taking it. I also felt very, very anxious and just not there, so to speak. In light of the severe ankle swelling, I was told to get off of it immediately. I did so, and the swelling went down, and I feel normal again. Downside, BP is up again. So I guess we really need to use trial and error and figure out what works best for us individually and what has the least amount of side effects. Will try something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "In 2021, I was prescribed amlodipine 5 mg to address my average BP reading of 145/90. However, two weeks after starting the medication, I experienced a tingling, numb sensation in my lower limbs and crippling anxiety. Despite complaining to my doctor about these symptoms, they suggested that they were psychosomatic in nature. As a result, I decided to wean myself off the drug. Unfortunately, even though I stopped taking it, the side effects still persist. I continue to struggle to get a full night's sleep and experience heart palpitations. To manage my blood pressure, I have turned to natural remedies, and I have found that beetroot works well for me."

• JW1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Amlodipine for 10 months until I figured out my stomach issues (constipation, feeling like a heartbeat in my stomach), insomnia, and increased anxiety that eventually went into full fight or flight panic attacks, body tremors, palpitations, were related to this drug. I’m 19 days off, and while I’ve seen small improvements, I think unfortunately this will take months to recover. I’m only 33 years old, and my blood pressure was only 140s/90s before the Amlodipine 5 mg and never even got to a good number, so my doctor wanted to add hydrochlorothiazide as well at the 6-month mark. I then began to exercise and watch my diet and actually have lost 40 pounds. I’m determined to keep going because I see right now these meds are poison. I’m hopeful I will get back to my old self."

• BMa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "This drug helped me lower my blood pressure. It took about a month to work. Now, a year later, I have pain in all my joints and stomach. Stopped taking it, my BP went sky high, 180/111, along with anxiety. Went to a holistic doctor and got some herbal meds that are working well. I would not recommend amlodipine for anyone, it’s poison."

• Joo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I’m a 51-year-old female. Previously on Ramipril, which I had to stop due to the permanent, tickling, annoying cough which I developed. Began taking Amlodipine 5 mg some months ago. Had a couple of bouts of dizziness, have had neck pain, swollen hands, etc., but had never thought this could be due to this medication until recently and reading up on the side effects. Very recently, my anxiety levels skyrocketed, my motivation, concentration, and mood significantly plummeted - I am now going to request my GP change my meds to stop my awful low mood/depressed state, as I am sure it’s because of this medication."

• Ben...
• March 30, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Started taking amlodipine for three months. I started feeling high anxiety. I believe 10 mg is making my blood pressure go up and heart rate go up. It's one of the worse pills I ever took. Be advised this pill has so many negatives, you get palpitations, dizzy, ear ringing, and nightmares."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Have been taking amlodipine for 4 days now. After the first day, felt fine, on the second day, had a panic attack on the train to work, shook me to the core and haven't felt right since. Fluttering heartbeat, feeling nervous and anxious for no reason, feeling like I'm not totally in my body or in the moment. Woke up at 4 a.m. and had a mild panic attack and couldn't sleep for another hour. Ringing in ears and tingling fingers and toes. Taking this with perindopril combi 5 mg, have NEVER had any adverse reaction to previous blood pressure medication. I'm so scared to keep taking this medication, thought I was imagining things until I researched and found many, many others with similar and worse reactions. Have scheduled a doctor appointment to change meds. I'm 20 & F."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Have been taking amlodipine for 4 days now. After the first day, felt fine, on the second day, had a panic attack on the train to work, shook me to the core and haven't felt right since. Fluttering heartbeat, feeling nervous and anxious for no reason, feeling like I'm not totally in my body or in the moment. Woke up at 4 a.m. and had a mild panic attack and couldn't sleep for another hour. Ringing in ears and tingling fingers and toes. Taking this with perindopril combi 5 mg, have NEVER had any adverse reaction to previous blood pressure medication. I'm so scared to keep taking this medication, thought I was imagining things until I researched and found many, many others with similar and worse reactions. Have scheduled a doctor appointment to change meds. I'm 20 & F."

• Bun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have had an awful experience with this. Intense chest pains (sharp and dull), dizziness, arm pain, and the worst anxiety I have ever experienced. I had no idea what anxiety was until I started taking this. I was on it for a month, and it has been absolute hell. I stopped taking it today and switched over to irbesartan and am hoping it clears up these intense, debilitating side effects. Every doctor or pharmacist that I mention these side effects to looks at me like I’m crazy or that it’s just anxiety. There’s no way. It did help my blood pressure, but completely not worth it due to these awful side effects."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "This medication about destroyed my life. I had horrible anxiety like I’d never experienced in my life. Depression landed me in the ER while I was on it for 5 weeks. I’ve been off for 1 week and starting to feel somewhat better. This has been so scary, just beware."

• Mal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Started amlodipine after stopping lisinopril due to throat swelling after taking for one year. Amlodipine took 5 days to begin working on lowering my blood pressure after introduction. My dosage was 5 mg once daily. It didn't lower my blood pressure very much. Went from 165/111 to 145/100 in 5 days. Side effects included: very sore arms and legs, lower legs felt sore and full of blood (heavy), facial flushing, profuse sweating from feet and hands, headaches, notable lack of energy and sleepiness, nervousness. I recommend using this drug ONLY if it's your last resort and you don't need an immediate drop in blood pressure. Remember everyone is different, this may work well for you. Long walks seemed to help with the sore legs."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "This drug was absolute hell for me. Only on it for a week, and although it did lower blood pressure, the side effects were bad! Didn't feel safe to drive, other side effects were brain fog, dizziness, and anxiety. The list goes on. Never suffered from a panic attack or anxiety in my life, but thought I was going to lose my grip on functioning while on this medicine."

• chr...
• March 28, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking metoprolol 25 mg for high BP a couple of months ago, it wasn't agreeing. So my Dr. started me on Amlodipine 5 mg a day. My blood pressure has been great, but the side effects are unbearable. I thought I was losing my mind, and I like to think of myself as a stable person. After 2 weeks of anxiety attacks, vivid odd dreams, dry mouth like I have never seen, I started taking half the pill, thinking it might help. Nope, no change. I am done with this drug, and it has been by far the worst month of my life. Thanks to all the reviews I read today to assure me that I am not alone and this drug should be taken off the market. I am calling my Dr. today and going to start walking every day. Thanks, everyone!!"

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2021

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "Horrible drug. I was on it 15 days - had horrible anxiety, panic attacks almost daily (prior only had 2 in my life), whole body tingling and the brain fog was bad. I was only in a low dose of 5 mg. I ended up at the hospital twice during the 15 days that I was on the medication. My doctor switched me to a different medication, and it is much better."

• ren...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Male, 56 yo. Was having palpitations with lisinopril, so I was switched to 10 mg amlodipine. On the 2nd day, had a severe reaction (irregular heartbeat, fluctuating BP, lightheaded, etc.), ended up in the ER. After various tests, docs didn't find anything wrong, but said don't take it anymore. The real fun began later that night. Woke up with a severe panic attack that turned into a 'bath salts' (recreational drug) episode: compulsively waving arms and pacing the floor, twiddling fingers and toes, grunting, and finally depersonalization (watching yourself from outside your body). It subsided after 20+ minutes, but had panic/anxiety attacks every day for 2 months after. I never had anxiety issues before. 2 years later, and I still have to be careful, as I can't control anxiety when life gets a bit difficult. I switched back to lisinopril + metoprolol, so my BP is back down, without palpitations. But I occasionally need to take anti-anxiety meds. Others report similar reactions, which may be why it's banned in some countries."