Amlodipine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Alo...
• February 16, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "Have been on Amlodipine for about 2 years. At first it worked wonderful. Now experiencing rapid heart beat, headache, tingling in upper body, some weakness. Also, elevated pressure at times. Will have to try something else. Tried many before this one."

• Mr ...
• August 26, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 24-year-old male with high blood pressure. I started Amlodipine back in October 2014, and it did an excellent job of lowering my pressure. I was perfectly fine taking 5 mg each day for the first several months. Then around June 2015, I started getting pains in my upper left and right chests, headaches began to hit me, and I began to develop an anxiety problem. I am typing this review three days after I have now stopped taking Amlodipine. The past few weeks have been worse than a nightmare for me - my anxiety has reached severe levels, the pains in my upper chest, shoulders, and forearms were becoming unbearable, I've been continuously nauseous for nearly two weeks now, had high-pitched ringing in my ears, and was completely depersonalized."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2012

Amlodipine for Migraine Prevention "I started taking Norvasc after trying many other meds, including Topamax, which had too many bad side effects for me. So far, since starting about a month ago, I have only had one headache, and that was at the very beginning. No side effects. I was having headaches which were affected by weather pressure, about one a week. So nice not to have them and to feel good on this medication."

• Wat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "53-year-old female taking 5mg amlodipine at bedtime. Experienced many side effects which were increasing and getting worse. Tiredness, Lethargy, Weakness, Edema, bad swelling of right leg, Muscle aches especially back and calf. Legs felt squished like in a vice. Joint pain especially Hips, had to use heat packs at night. Left heel pain, hard to walk. Upset stomach, constipation, and gas. Heartburn after taking the drug. Blurred vision, itchy eyes, Itchy skin, Headache, Bruised easily, Insomnia. Drug made me feel terrible so I quit using it and going to see my GP Monday. Been off it only 48 hours, almost all symptoms gone but still very achy. It was like poison to my body and would not recommend this drug."

• Sad...
• December 6, 2015

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I have BP problems. Having a hard time finding a med to control it. Was given a beta blocker that caused a heart attack and put me in the hospital. Put me on Norvasc 5mg twice a day. Was on it for 1 and 1/2 weeks. I had severe headaches, tremors, blurred vision, stomach pains, burning in my legs. I had red burning spots form on my lower abdomen then blisters. I'm off the med and will never take Norvasc again. Now on Losartan and Clonidine, doing fair with BP. & no side effects."

• lca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I started this medication about 2 months ago. I take two 5 mg tablets nightly at bedtime. It has lowered my blood pressure, but it makes me tired, weak, exacerbated my anxiety and depression. I’m fatigued, with general malaise, headache, joint and body aches."

• Zeg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have had high blood pressure for over five years and this includes treatment with numerous medications and supplements. Two months ago, I was prescribed Amlodipine for high blood pressure. I had headaches and dizziness, along with being physically tired. Today, I do not have the headaches, but occasionally experience dizziness if I move fast, or get up from sitting, or lying down. This usually only lasts a few minutes at a time. I must sincerely and happily let those who read these comments know that this medication works. My blood pressure, even on other medications such as Atenolol, did not work as well. It was normally between 140 and 150 every day. Today, it is consistently below 120/70 and usually in the low 100s/60 or lower."

• Evi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this drug and after just a few days experienced dreadful nausea, headaches and general lethargy. I was told to persevere with the medication but I also had terrible palpitations. After a month, I could take these side effects no longer. After coming off these pills, I felt wonderful."

• cic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Doc put me on 5 mg of Amlodipine due to high BP. I am a very healthy 71-year-old woman. Vegetarian since age 3, I swim 4-5 times per week along with hiking. At first, I did not notice any side effects due to stresses outside of my control. BP did not go down very much, so Doc increased it to 10 mg. After a few days of feeling exhausted to where I did not have the energy to swim and kept falling asleep during the day. My face was flushed, my whole body ached, severe headaches, pain in my heart, and then terribly swollen ankles. I immediately stopped taking this awful drug. My BP had not reduced, I took 3 garlic cloves in water with lemon, which brought down my BP. The next day, I went to the pharmacy and now I am taking a hawthorn tablet in the AM and a garlic pill in the evening and have been checking my BP 3 times a day. It is better than ever, and I have resumed my normal activities, no more headaches, angina, and ankles back to normal."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Effective in lowering blood pressure with terrible side effects. Muscle pain, back pain, shoulder pain, headaches, balance issues, brain fog, memory problems, depression, erectile dysfunction. Length of use six years on and off. When side effects become intolerable, I stop using it and resume when blood pressure rises again. I live in the UK."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor put me on 10 mg of Amlodipine for high blood pressure. But he had to take it down to 2.5 mg because I was getting dizzy and had double vision. While it does bring my BP down, the side effects are just too much to handle. One hour after taking this medication, I get extreme anxiety along with headaches and not sleeping very well at night like I used to. I also noticed a lot of fatigue. I will be asking my doctor to take me off this medication and switch to something with less side effects."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I’m glad I’ve read the reviews on amlodipine. I’ve been on this medication, 5 mg daily for only 4 days, and the headaches and nausea I’m experiencing are awful. Called my doctor and was told to stop taking it, as I may need a change in medicines. At this point, I’m very leery of taking anything and am seeking all-natural alternatives to lower my BP."

• Pet...
• January 9, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Had migraines since I was 19 and now 45. Would get at least 1 a week that was manageable, but very few weeks one that was horrendous, and every 6 months 1 that would leave me stuck in bed all day, wiped out, and all my nervous system was on edge. Felt like my senses were all over the place, not even able to focus on opening a door handle. Started taking amlodipine 8 weeks ago and realized today I’ve not had a single migraine. No visual disturbances or other aura issues either. Minimal occasional headache that goes away without any need for pain relievers. Glad that this medication has another effect. I suspected this would be the case as it widens the blood vessels, and one of my consultants suggested my migraines were caused when the blood vessels contract, causing the migraine."

• Joo...
• March 20, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "My BP and heart rate went up while taking 2.5 mg amlodipine. Doc doubled my dose. Only took that (5 mg) one night. BP and HR went even higher. Horrid attack of heartburn to the point of nausea, and headache, burning eyes, insomnia, night sweats, itching like crazy. No thanks."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was having chest pain, so I went to the ER 6 days ago. My blood pressure was 189/107 mmHg, which is very high considering I’m a 31-year-old woman. They started me on amlodipine 5 mg once a day. For the first 3 days, I had mild symptoms of headache, dizziness, and tiredness. The 4th day, I felt a rush of pressure in my head, numbness in my face and neck on my right side, anxiety, and SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS. I went back to the ER, where they said I probably slept wrong and hurt my neck, and I just need to let my body get used to the new meds. They told me to continue taking the med. The panic attack continued over the next two days along with facial numbness, muscle weakness, headache, vivid dreams, insomnia, excessive thirst, twitching in my legs, and neck pain. Thank goodness I found this page. I felt like I was going crazy. I’ve decided to stop taking this medication. I do not recommend it, even though it did help lower my blood pressure. Not worth the side effects. If I could give it a 0 out of 10, I would."

• BP ...
• March 3, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I'm currently on Amlodipine 5 mg tab. The first 72-96 hours on this medication were very rough - very severe headaches, palpitations, dizziness, etc. After the 3rd day, the headaches subsided, and by the 5th day they were gone. BP had been elevated due to non-tolerance from the previous medication combination. By the end of the 1st week, BP was down into the 120s over 80s. So far, I have been using this medication for just over one month without any major side effects other than slight water retention, leading to slight swelling of hands and ankles. My weight has remained steady. The medication worked for me, and I am glad as I had been trying so many different types of medications to control BP that I was starting to lose hope."

• 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."

• Not...
• November 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor gave me a 10 mg amlodipine prescribed dose to take along with another blood pressure medication. Then started the headaches, which did subside. Then heart rate slowed way down after about 3-4 months from 75 beats a minute to as low as 44! Then, preceding that, I started getting excruciating leg muscle pains in my left leg, along with terrible hip joint pain, as well as knee and ankle pain. At times I was limping like an old man. My doctor noticed my swollen ankles and said it was a known side effect of the amlodipine and prescribed a diuretic, which did remove the swelling but with a cost! I was nauseated and could hardly eat, and my hip pain and joint pain remained. I decided neither was worth the cost of my comfort, so I have stopped the diuretic and reduced the amlodipine to 5 mg. The muscle and hip pain and nausea stopped after a few days, but the knee joint still slightly aches. I’m going to stop taking the amlodipine soon and after reading the terrible side effects of amlodipine."

• Glo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on Amlodipine for a month and I feel so tired. I have aching muscles also. I work out at my gym like always but by 12 noon I am so tired, have a headache, swollen feet, ankles and sometimes hands, swelling varies with the worst by evening. I am now getting so hot. My blood pressure is good though. I will call my new Doctor tomorrow and discuss all this as I can't imagine feeling so bad every day."

• kat...
• November 10, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "Started amlodipine 3 months ago and blood pressure dropped from 160/90 to 135/70. After 2 weeks I noticed foot/ankle swelling, doctor prescribed diuretic, didn't work. Now bad itch and bumpy, blistery-looking rash. For the past month, I'm exhausted, dull nagging headache, general malaise, shortness of breath, lethargic, gained 5 lbs. I used to power walk with weights 3 miles 5X a week, but stopped due to shortness of breath. When I ride my bike, I get winded to the point of dizziness and nausea. Glad I found these reviews, I think it's the blood pressure medicines."

• Hig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I took one 5 mg amlodipine dose last night for the first time. Woke up with the most blasting headache, nausea, heartburn. The headache is so severe, it’s caused very strong sinus pressure so that my gums and teeth ache too. No noticeable improvement in BP. Not worth these side effects no matter what. I can’t get up to do even the simplest work. It’s been 5 hours since I woke up like this. No significant improvement in my pain and discomfort."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Started on the Amlodipine 3 months ago. BP was 150/74 at the Dr.'s. Now it goes to 145 about 1 time in the afternoon, but goes down to 99/58 every once in a while, causing me a spaced-out feeling. I've had terrible headaches all this week, dizziness, cough. Can't drive. I am getting off this because I felt much better before. I had just retired when I started this med. Was totally independent, now stuck at home."

• Not...
• September 9, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Had blood pressure issue. Another drug that I was put on didn't work. Doc suggested Amlodipine, which is the generic for Norvasc. First day my BP was something like 145/90. Took new med in the afternoon, and within 2 hours it was down to 117/70. I thought that was fast because Doc said to give it a few days to start working. Second day I noticed myself becoming edgy and almost scared. Anxiety was starting to creep in. Started feeling tingling in fingers and feet. The third day, the tingling turned to slight numbness in those areas. I also got severe headaches in the back of my head. Legs and arms felt very weak as well. It's almost day four and I'm having water retention. I'm coming off of this drug."

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2017

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I took exactly one pill and woke up the next day with the worst headache: the top of my head hurt, temples were squeezing, had pressure in my eyes, and couldn't tolerate sounds. How ironic that people take this to prevent migraines! I was done after one day. This came after four days on metoprolol, which had left me exhausted and short of breath, so I wasn't exactly 100%. Blood pressure went up somewhat the day I was on this. Headache left as soon as I went off it. (Was put on valsartan right after, and had terrible back/spine pain from that.) I think I am done with meds. Maybe I'll do yoga."

• Trs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed this medication for borderline hypertension 140/90. I have also had migraines with aura for years. I have tried many medicines. For the first 3 days, I had a headache. After that, bam, no more migraines with auras and very few headaches. It is incredible. I take 2.5 mg per day. I finally have my life back!"