Amlodipine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• 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!!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking Amlodipine 4 days ago. The first 2 days I had a slight headache, but I knew it was a side effect and was fine with it. But my symptoms gradually got worse. Day 3 - chest pain and heart palpitations, extreme dry mouth, flushing (feeling warm like a fever was coming), fatigue, muscle aches, stomach pain/bloating/gas, yeast discharge, and this weird stinging sensation in my thigh like I was being stung by a bee over and over again. I also had insomnia even though I was exhausted! I stopped taking it today but I’m still feeling the chest pains and palpitations, although they aren’t as intense. I’m going to work out and eat healthy! I can’t deal with these side effects! It lowered my blood pressure, I think. I’m not sure, it kinda jumped all over the place."

• Fit...
• June 14, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "AMLODIPINE MISERY!!! I was started on this poison on May 5. I went to the ER due to left-sided chest heaviness that went down my left arm. I have had a ton of stress over the past year. My blood pressure prior to the ER was 170/102. All tests normal. Given 5mg of Amlodipine. I only took half for 1.5 weeks then had a phone appointment with a cardiologist who advised me to increase which lasted 2 days. Side effects were pulsating feeling in my head, increased chest heaviness, neck heaviness, extreme tiredness, bones clicking, muscle spasms, blurred vision, numbness in hands, legs, and feet, brain fog, weight loss due to loss of appetite, balance is off. Stopped it a week ago. I get electrical impulses in my right arm, my whole body feels so heavy, hard to walk at times. I have insane hunger, cannot sleep, and when I do have a good night's sleep, it is literally impossible to get out of bed. Stress test/echo/24hr BP monitor this week. Drinking organic hibiscus tea for blood pressure."

• Ccr...
• February 29, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have never posted on a message board before but feel the need to share. I have high blood pressure and take lisinopril in the morning and amlodipine at night before bed. I have gained so much weight and couldn't figure it out, my legs and ankles are swelling, and it is adversely affecting my sleep apnea in my opinion. I also have noticed tingling throughout my body and memory issues. I am not going to take this rubbish anymore, if I gain all this weight and have all these new issues, what's the point as I think it is worst for me. I stopped taking it and just take the lisinopril, and now and after only two days am sleeping better and water retention is going down. Take it for what it's worth, but I have no use for this poison."

• 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."

• Dol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 1, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Female, 59 years old, 100 kg. I suffer from hypertension. I was prescribed 10mg Amlodipine daily a few years ago. I was always so tired and didn't feel like I wanted to do anything. Six months ago, I did a little research and found that it can make you extremely fatigued, so I went off it. Other side effects include vivid dreams, facial flushing, extreme lethargy, palpitations at night, and disrupted sleep. I went off this medication about 6 months ago. Since I started back on the Amlodipine 2 days ago and am already feeling extremely fatigued once again. Just today, I slept from 2:30 pm to 4:45 pm and again from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The medication may be effective to bring down my blood pressure, but at what cost to my everyday life. I am going off this drug once again and will try to lose the excess weight to lower my blood pressure."

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

For High Blood Pressure "This medication has more or less destroyed my life for the past year. Been to see two different doctors regarding side effects and they told me I was imagining it. Severe chest pain, palpitations, anxiety and panic attacks, blurry vision, muscular aches and pains, fatigue, sleepless 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 (without instruction from my GP) and started taking magnesium citrate and more exercise. My blood pressure is the best it has ever been. Nearly all the horrible symptoms are gone and I have so much more energy. Continuing to monitor BP daily just to be safe. Blood pressure medication can be awful. I believe we can all cure this naturally!"

• Des...
• August 31, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Male, 61 yrs, 92 kg, live in the U.K. I suffer from hypertension. Prescribed 10 mg amlodipine daily and within days felt like I was being poisoned. Saw GP and reduced to 5 mg. Side effects include vivid dreams, facial flushing, extreme lethargy, headache, palpitations at night, disrupted sleep, blurred vision. Am normally fit and active (ex-military) but now feel like an old man. BP is down considerably, which is good, but at what cost to general health and well-being? I’m weaning myself off this controversial drug and am instead changing lifestyle and diet to control BP. I think BP is a money-making racket by pharmaceutical companies and misunderstood by GPs."

• TOa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 10, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Mai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was diagnosed pre-hypertensive with some spikes, so we put me on 5mg amlodipine. For the first 6 months, it was great. Then the anxiety started to pick up after year 1. Then by about 18 months in, I was REALLY anxious. Couldn't sleep, couldn't concentrate. I noticed muscle tics all the time, heart palpitations, more joint pains, memory loss, and more. Dr. Google helped feed this obsession, and I had myself convinced I had contracted some fatal condition (ALS, MS, etc...). After every specialist I could find, we decided it was anxiety. Then one day I read someone's account of anxiety and amlodipine. I asked my cardiologist, and we decided to try a switch. Today I am back to my old self. Even better because I added those other coping habits in. I write this not because amlodipine is bad. BUT, if you're like me and a few years in and dealing with anxiety, switch it out. Don't wait as long as I did. It's not a hard drug to move off of and onto something else."

• PTB...
• December 26, 2014

Amlodipine for High Blood Pressure "I've only been on Norvasc for a week, and so far, the only side effect is difficulty falling asleep and waking up periodically through the night. I know it's the Norvasc since I work a very early shift and am generally exhausted by the time it's ready for bed. If it continues, I'll look into switching medications. However, the first blood pressure medication I was on has a worse side effect: uncontrollable coughing. I had to stop taking it after about a month."

• 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."

• DPi...
• July 21, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "This is the most horrifying drug I have ever taken in all my 67 years. My doctor prescribed it in conjunction with lisinopril because my blood pressure, which was slightly above normal, needed to be lowered further, said doc. With no verbal warning from the doctor or the pharmacy, after three days I stopped sleeping. I went for a 40-hour period with two hours of sleep. When I was awake, I had absolutely no energy or enthusiasm. I had no idea what was happening. I reached out to the doctor via email for help. She actually suggested I might need psychiatric help. I was dumbfounded. Finally, I figured out what was going on by researching online. I stopped taking the drug and changed doctors and hospital systems. Be warned."

• joe...
• May 14, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this medication and don't recommend it. I had insomnia when I was on it, and 2 days so far after. It gave me cramps, nerve pain, weakness/fatigue, lack of interest in doing anything. Anxiety, spasms, and it feels like the veins in the left side of my head have swollen. My left side of my throat and jaw stay mostly numb even 2 days off. If you are seeking advice on high blood pressure just watch your sodium intake. Most Doctors and Nurse practitioners that I've had met just seem to be pushers for the pharmaceutical companies."

• Col...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I was started on amlodipine 5 mg four years ago for high BP. I started having neuropathy, restless sleep, difficulty with urination, and dry mouth. I was referred to a neurologist who said the causes were from lupus and sent me to another doctor who prescribed Plaquenil. I continued to have the same problems only worse. Then prednisone was added, worsening symptoms. My BP was good but I was not. So I tapered off and stopped all meds except amlodipine, but I became worse, not better. By this time I could hardly walk, went online, and reviewed amlodipine. Yes, it could cause these problems. I stopped it and, guess what, symptoms are improving and the BP is still okay."

• Mrs...
• February 5, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking it for almost 3.5 years. Side effects: restless leg, itching, dry mouth, rash, tired, insomnia, joint pain, and an overall feeling of something wrong. I stopped taking it for about two weeks, and I've been feeling great. Right away, I started to feel more energetic. I'm sleeping well. Today I took one to see if I should start taking it again, and now I have itching, restless leg, and insomnia. I'm not taking it anymore. It's horrible."

• Cin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "It did lower my blood pressure when taken with my normal blood pressure med, Atenolol... but side effects are not good. Anxiety, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and extremely achy, crampy weakness in legs and arms... and it also gave me stomach issues. Luckily, my doctor let me stop it. Why is this drug on the market when it makes so many people miserable?"

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking 5 mg amlodipine about two months ago. My blood pressure is still 140/90 and my body aches from the waist down. I wake up during the night/early morning and have to get up. I am so uncomfortable. I called the doctor, and he said the symptoms would most likely go away. They haven't and seem to be getting worse. I'm going to call him again this week."

• 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."

• sim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "Having started on 5mg of the medicine and finding benefit, my doctor moved me to 10mg once a day, then the changes started. My condition became serious with continual coughs and no sleep, my blood pressure was very good at 137/68 but my quality of life was useless."

• 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."

• 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."