Amlodipine and Fatigue: What Users Say (Page 3)

• car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2016

For Coronary Artery Disease "I was prescribed 10 mg Amlodipine to treat coronary artery spasm after 2 myocardial infarctions at 35 and 37 years. First came nausea, which lasted about 2 weeks, however, the chronic insomnia and horrific, extremely vivid nightmares began almost immediately and are still persisting even though I stopped taking it about 6 days ago. Another side effect I experienced was extremely stiff and sore feet - I thought I had developed painful arthritis overnight, and walking on them was horrible. I also experienced extreme fatigue all day every day, making it near impossible to care for my three children at home, who are all under school age. I thought I was losing my mind. Feeling a bit better every day. This was a very scary experience for me."

• SBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Following a massive BP spike and a history of high blood pressure, I started on 5 mg three weeks ago. From day one, I had a blinding, debilitating headache, but on a positive note, my BP was dropping. In the second week, the headache eased, but chest and stomach pain, leg cramps, left leg swelling, fatigue, and dizziness became increasingly worse. After three blackout falls (two very bad), the doctor advised me to stop immediately. Three days off it and now no pains and steadier, but I have worrying arrhythmia. To its credit, it has dropped my BP. I was happy to take it and ride out any side effects, but the impact was too great for me. Clearly, this medicine does work for some, though. Lifestyle, diet, and careful consideration to any meds."

• Pre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "'I am in my late 40s and ended up in the ER with dangerously high blood pressure (225/121). I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, which causes high blood pressure, and I was overweight and had just lost my dad. I prefer holistic remedies, but I was told I needed something that would help me immediately. They put me on amlodipine (10 mg) to start. For the first two weeks, I experienced severe headaches, swollen limbs so badly that I couldn't bend down or close my hands, blurred vision, memory loss, body aches, fatigue, leg cramps, stomach issues, IBS, an out-of-body feeling (not in a good way), nightmares, flushing, depression, and just an overall terrible feeling. The worst part was that it gave me all these issues, but it didn't really do much to lower my blood pressure. I weaned myself off of it and was then prescribed ramipril, which is better, I suppose. I'm working toward getting off prescriptions. I hated feeling this way, and I've been off amlodipine for approximately 7 months, but I haven't been the same since."

• Eli...
• April 4, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 5 mg Norvasc for about a year. Then my doctor said to me to increase to 7.5 mg, and that's when I started getting heart palpitations, headaches, and my blood pressure still was high, around 147/88, heart rate 69 bpm. Then my doctor said to take 5 mg Norvasc like before but add 2 mg Coversyl - that made me have palpitations, very tired, fatigued, and out of breath, headaches, and felt like someone was strangling me and felt anxious. Basically couldn't function, so I went back to just 5 mg and I'm going to see a cardiologist. I feel like a guinea pig trying different medicine with no results. I'm still tired, out of breath sometimes, labored breathing, BP is still high, get cramps in my stomach, I must have gone to the hospital and my doctor so many times."

• Tin...
• December 28, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking 10 mg of Amlodipine in Feb 2016. I stopped taking it 3 weeks ago. In the last 2 months, I have had extreme muscle spasms in my thighs, lower legs, and my feet. They were so extreme that I was on the floor crying and praying. I also was having frequent urination throughout the day (almost bought Depends), massive headaches in the morning, hot flashes, chills, and joint pain, and the list goes on and on! This poison was killing me. Do not take!! I was having shortness of breath and almost fainted at work because of it. Fast heartbeat and extreme lethargy. BP was 120 over 80 one morning. Didn't take my pill that morning. Explain that? Feel 100 percent better. Have had a stomach bug off and on for 2 weeks now. Don't take!!"

• Mis...
• July 15, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I am having, for me, serious side effects from this medicine, and I have only been taking it for 30 days. Fatigue, flushing, fluid retention, and severe swelling of the feet and ankles. I go back to the doctor today. My doctor gave it to me for high blood pressure."

• Kok...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been on this medication amlodipine for a few months. At first, everything was great. Good blood pressure, no side effects. However, about three weeks ago, I started to have awful flushing (thinking I may have carcinoid syndrome), fatigue, nausea, and chills. The chills have been so bad that at times I shake uncontrollably. I could see my doctor chuckle when I said, “I think I’m having a reaction to the amlodipine.” After reading stories on this site, I made the executive decision to stop taking this. That was two days ago. I’m feeling only slightly better, but this stuff stays in your system for up to 11 days. It has been like I have the flu. I’m currently hoping for more improvement even as my blood pressure goes up. The trade-off is much better than these side effects. Also, I’ve recently had a clean upper and lower GI scope, so no carcinoid."

• Dav...
• December 29, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Prescribed for BP but also nearly eliminated migraines. I started having migraines 13 years ago and high BP 1 year ago. My first BP prescription was 5-10 mg amlodipine daily. It lowered my BP and *almost* more importantly, nearly eliminated all migraines (from previous 2-3 per month to a few for the year, of which none were severe enough to require real migraine medications). I believe amlodipine has also expanded and intensified whatever fatigue I might normally experience, but *for me* that is an acceptable tradeoff (yes, fatigue can be limiting, but migraines are limiting and excruciatingly painful). I can see where a person taking amlodipine only for BP might be unhappy with the side effects, but the migraines are far, far worse."

• bik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on Norvasc a couple of years. It does keep my BP down. Biggest issue is fatigue. No energy at all. I've been depressed, I thought the fatigue was causing the depression. Doc sent me to get some tests because of the fatigue. Waiting results."

• Msp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I have had hormonal migraines since I was 17. I would have horrible migraines through my menstrual cycle each month. I developed high blood pressure, and my doctor prescribed Lisinopril, and when that didn't lower it enough, he added Amlodipine. I took it for about 9 months and never had a migraine, which was wonderful. BUT, I developed waves of severe fatigue and was feeling crappy all over much of the time. I developed swelling in my feet and ankles, and my diastolic blood pressure was almost 100 all the time. I researched the medicines I've been taking and decided to monitor my blood pressure and stop the Amlodipine. I instantly felt better, and my blood pressure actually went down. Don't know if the migraine will return. Not worth the side effects!"

• Moa...
• November 25, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I have been prehypertensive for 5 years. Once my BP started to be in the hypertensive range, I started taking 5 mg of Amlodipine. It caused severe dizziness, headache, fatigue, and drowsiness. I had to go to the hospital to rule out MI or other conditions related to the brain. Running drastically reduced my BP to a range of 70/40 mm of Hg. This medicine has a long half-life. I stopped Amlodipine."

• rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "I've been dealing with blood pressure issues for 10 years. Finally, I had a crisis and was emergency taken to the hospital with a 230/134 blood pressure rating... Felt very dizzy, falling over. Stayed in the hospital for 8 hours. They prescribed me amlodipine 2.5 mg in the morning and 2.5 mg at night. Been taking it for 4 weeks now. Remarkably lower blood pressure. But felt extremely fatigued and tired for 3 weeks, some constipation. Terrible hissing/ringing in my ears and some weird dreams. Hopefully, that will come to an end soon. Also add migraines 5 days a week. 4 weeks now, not one headache. Never have had any swelling in my feet or ankles, which they say is one of the more common side effects, so that is all good. Do feel a little lightheaded every now and then walking around. But it has definitely lowered my blood pressure significantly."

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on amlodipine 5 mg for high BP. The first time I was on them, I only lasted a week. Side effects: itchy skin, dizziness, and headaches. This time, I've been on them for a month: dizziness, headaches, not sleeping, itchy skin, and fatigue."

• Tec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "For the past two years, I’ve been having heart palpitations and high blood pressure (average is 150/101). I went to the ER and had an EKG done, which showed some abnormalities. I was referred to a cardiologist who prescribed amlodipine for the hypertension. I was told to get off my propranolol (used for my aura migraines) and to start amlodipine 10 mg. Unfortunately, I was on it for only 3 days and developed a headache that felt like a migraine, had fatigue, nausea, and a resting heart rate of 132 (my normal heart rate is 70-80). I went to the ER and was diagnosed with sinus tachycardia due to medication complications. I was told to go back on propranolol while taking amlodipine to lower my heart rate and to help with the headache. I’m on day 7 now, and my ankles/feet are swollen. I am 24 and feel like I should not be having all these problems from one medication. I will be asking my primary to get off of it immediately."

• Bil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 6, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Didn’t realize it was amlodipine that was giving me all these problems, many of which are stated in this forum. I stopped taking it 2 days ago and feel improvement already. Fatigue, dizziness, back pain, congestion, indigestion, bloating, blurred vision, rash. I’ve been on it for a few years, and it lowered my blood pressure, but as time went by, all these things started happening and then more and more. I started Googling and found this page. Glad I did. I will post from time to time for updates. Thanks, all."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2023

For Angina "My doctor prescribed this medication for chest pain, which we have concluded is most likely from coronary spasm. I do not have CAD, but coronary spasm and angina. I also take a beta blocker for abnormal heart rhythm and blood thinners. I was going to the hospital almost weekly with chest pain. This medication has changed my life. I have been taking Amlodipine for about 8 weeks now, and I’ve only had one episode of chest pain. That is a 97% improvement. I haven’t noticed any side effects other than a slight increase in heart rate and possibly fatigue and tiredness. I started at 2.5 mg and just increased to 5 mg. I also have liver disease. Also, it is cheap and readily available. Not many interactions."

• BDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I am 30 and started Amlodipine 10 mg on 12 Dec 2020 due to a hypertensive crisis with a reading of 200/125. Since 2020, my BP readings used to be 160/90 and on better days 140/90, and I disregarded the medication as I have a good diet and am very athletic. Amlodipine is effective as my daily BP readings are now 110/70 with a few isolated 130/80 for over 2 months. Side effects that I experienced during the first week are fatigue and tremors. Three weeks later, gastric reflux, constipation, and isolated occurrences of erectile dysfunction. Will update in a few months."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this drug three weeks ago by my cardiologist. 5 mg. I am already on losartan and atenolol as well. Pressure was still a little high around 130/90. Amlodipine does bring the pressure down but not for the whole day. I take it in the morning, and in the afternoon, my pressure is better, but when I take my pressure in the morning, it's still around 130/90. The biggest positive was migraine prevention. I haven't had one in three weeks, and I don't think I ever would again if I stayed on this drug, but I will not take this drug going forward. The side effects are too severe. My feet and ankles swell. I have a bad taste in my mouth. My insomnia is worse. The biggest problem is fatigue. In the afternoon, I feel like a zombie. Very hard to get my job done. I find I just sit still and zone out. Not good for productivity. No drug I have ever taken produced side effects so severe that I have discontinued its use, but this one did."

• Len...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "They prescribed Norvasc 5 mg at the ER one day when I went with high blood pressure. The side effects did not start until three weeks later. The first side effect started with pinpoint little balls of blood in my legs, then a warm feeling in my face, and then tingling and numbness in my arms and legs. I also have fatigue and weakness all over my body. I stopped taking this medication and asked the doctor to give me something else because I was feeling horrible. He did and put me on another medication that was 3 years ago, and I am still feeling the side effects. I would never, ever recommend this drug to anyone."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2022

For Raynaud's Syndrome "Struggled with Raynaud's for several years but only in colder months. Doctor suggested I try this to alleviate the cold fingers. I can't say it's been very effective in relieving symptoms. Besides, it makes me fatigued for hours after taking. I guess it works for some people and not others."

• Bla...
• July 17, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I am 68. I live alone. Started taking amlodipine about 2 months ago. This drug made me dizzy, nauseated, constipated. Fatigue set in. I didn't care for food much but forced myself to eat. I couldn't do any exercise, not even walking. I have lost 10 pounds, I am already skinny. I took myself off it for 3 days, then, my blood pressure went up. Talked to my doctor on Friday. He said he would change it for me. I will be calling him Monday to have a different medicine."

• Pho...
• July 7, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "At first, it was great, my blood pressure came down, and I had all this energy. However, I noticed the typical signs of high blood sugar levels immediately. From day one, I was thirsty constantly. I started having tingling in my body that turned into numbness. My vision got blurrier, and I had to start using reading glasses. My urine smelled and was coming out frothy. I dropped weight like crazy. I went back to my medical provider after using amlodipine for about two months, and my A1C had gone up over 2 points. I was ticked off. The cause was obvious. My provider obstinately insisted that amlodipine did not cause it. I left the visit and tapered off amlodipine and ramped up my former medication, metoprolol. Six weeks later, I still have some numbness, but my vision is back to normal. Metoprolol has its own issues (memory problems, confusion, fatigue, breathlessness), but I prefer that to uncontrolled diabetes."

• j...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have not read much about this problem with the drug, but ED (erectile dysfunction) was mine. It works great in lowering your BP, but you are fatigued and tired to boot. Cannot get an erection now, so I am off this stuff. Run away from this if you want to continue to have a sex life."

• Ove...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Amlodipine is horrible for me. Weird numb tongue sensation, blurred vision, fatigue, constant belching and the taste of medicine, bloated stomach and violent vomiting. Terrible! I tried giving it the 2 weeks' grace/adjustment period, but day 10, and I was up again all night feeling sick until I purged hardcore. Not for me!"

• Fem...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 15, 2016

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "Taken for 9 months. 1 pill didn't lower BP, so taking two - 10 mg total. Side effects: swelling ankles, fatigue, muscle pain - difficult to work with the side effects. Going to try a different drug."