Nifedipine and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• CCa...
• October 14, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I take nifedipine 60mg 2x a day. First started with 30mg 1x a day, my blood pressure was still high so Dr. increased to 60mg a day and 30mg at night. Later switched it to 60mg 2x a day. Side effects in the beginning: dizziness and fast heart rate. At times, it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest when I would wake up in the middle of the night. Then the twitching in my left hand, told my Dr. to keep taking the medicine. I would get really cold and shiver so I drove myself to the ER because my body was so cold. Dr. still kept me on this medicine. I have headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. Dr. kept me on this medicine and prescribed me anxiety pills. Now I have tingling in my feet, legs, hands, arms, and the top of my head. I'm also having muscle spasms in my calves, thighs, arms, and hands. These headaches are getting 10x worse. I have pressure in my head and chills going through my head with a burning sensation in the back of my head."

• Jc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on this because it was thought that Labetalol was causing breathing problems with my pregnancy. Turns out the shortness of breath was due to COVID. This medication really makes me miss Labetalol, which my insurance now won't cover. :( My heart has been racing, the headaches are severe and frightening, my muscles ache, I can barely sleep (whilst also feeling very fatigued) and my mouth is super dry. I can't do this anymore. I already have terrible anxiety. My blood pressure was on average about 130/80 beforehand. So it did lower my blood pressure in the 125s/70s range. I really hope my OBGYN has another medication safe for hypertension during pregnancy I can take. Lisinopril never made me feel so awful. Pray for me, please."

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I took 1 nifedipine at 5 am, and an hour later my blood pressure was lowered significantly. In fact, too low. For the next 24 hours, my heart was racing, and it felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. As I lay in bed trying to get to sleep, I could hear my heart pounding. I could not get to sleep. I called the doctor immediately, and she told me to stop the medicine. It is now almost 3 days later, and my heart rate is still elevated, ranging from 85 to 107. My normal heart rate is between 60 and 80 at rest. Fortunately, my heart is not pounding, just beating faster than normal. I have no idea how long it will take before it goes back to normal, or if it will go back to normal. For me, this drug has been a disaster. I feel like I am on the verge of having a heart attack."

• Bra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I took 1 nifedipine at 5 am, and an hour later my blood pressure was lowered significantly. In fact, too low. For the next 24 hours, my heart was racing, and it felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest. As I lay in bed trying to get to sleep, I could hear my heart pounding. I could not get to sleep. I called the doctor immediately, and she told me to stop the medicine. It is now almost 3 days later, and my heart rate is still elevated, ranging from 85 to 107. My normal heart rate is between 60 and 80 at rest. Fortunately, my heart is not pounding, just beating faster than normal. I have no idea how long it will take before it goes back to normal, or if it will go back to normal. For me, this drug has been a disaster. I feel like I am on the verge of having a heart attack."

• Ame...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on nifedipine 30 mg for 7 days. I have the shakes right now, my chest feels tight. It’s 1:25 am, I can’t sleep. My heart is racing, and my blood pressure is still high this whole time! The first 2 days it was 80 over 60, now it’s kinda high at 154/87. I’ve been having headaches. I’m always tired, this sucks. Tonight will be the last time I take nifedipine."

• jlw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I took this today for the first and last time. A couple of hours after taking my newly prescribed 30 mg dose, my heart was pounding, and a migraine started. I had a panic attack because I was so distraught over the side effects. It's been 10 hours, and my head is still throbbing. I cannot wait for this pill to be out of my body completely. There has got to be better BP meds out there! I have been miserable all day. I will not take this again!"

• Val...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed 30 mg nifedipine for the longest time with no major issues, but after a while, it stopped controlling my blood pressure. After increasing to 60 mg once per day, I started to have the worst side effects... Lightheadedness, flushed face and body, and then the heart would start racing. It even led to a 911 call in the middle of the night. Going back to 30 mg now and might end up off of it altogether. Controlled my blood pressure wonderfully at the higher dose, but can't stand the side effects."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor changed my medication to nifedipine, and the first night I took it, it was horrible. I'm writing this review while being treated in the emergency room. I was awakened from my sleep because my heart was racing, which triggered my anxiety. My heart rate went up to 150, and I have never had that happen to me before. My husband had to call an ambulance to get me to the ER. It's the scariest experience ever."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on Nifedipine 30 mg ER (CC) for 4 months and could not figure out why I felt terrible all day long with severe dizziness, increased pulse, palpitations, shakiness, and swelling in feet and ankles. I called my doctor, and he told me to stop taking the dosage in the morning because I take a dose in the morning and evening. He also stated Nifedipine stays in your system for 12 hours, no wonder I was severely dizzy. This medication needs to be off the market. The plan is to stop it altogether and try another medication for my high blood pressure."

• Len...
• October 13, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "After taking nifedipine 20 mg sustained release, I started to feel the side effects like fast heartbeat and insomnia. This drug has not helped to lower my BP, hence, I immediately stopped it and took another drug as advised by my GP."

• SSD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on Procardia XL 60 mg once daily for a few weeks and hate the side effects. It started out with simple tingling in hands, hyperactive bowel sounds, and some constipation. Now I'm experiencing a fast heartbeat. Although it helps to stabilize my BP, it's definitely not worth the side effects, especially the palpitations, which get scary at times. I plan on stopping this med and switching to something else asap!"

• Bob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 26, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I take 30 mg Nifedipine, not a generic, it has been a side effect nightmare. Doc has had me on all BP meds. I’m sensitive to generic BP meds. My Doc states my BP is great. But, like others post, sex dysfunction, dreams, urinating all night 30 mins after taking the pill. Pee my whole body water contents out. Doc states not a water pill. It’s a water pill. Most posts list frequent urinating and dehydration, dark urine, and burning after peeing. Urologist states no issues, have had every urine test, culture, Mycoplasma, and STD. All negative. Nifedipine has more side effects than the solution. Docs think I’m crazy and told me I read too damn much. Advocate for yourself. Keep notes. Do whatever. I’ve had heart pounding and ER visits. No issues. Stay away from red meat and salt, especially before your nightly dose. Red meat and salty White Castle burger caused my first heart pounding on the first dose."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I am a mom who is pregnant with a second child. I have had chronic high BP my whole life due to renal stenosis. I’ve been on lisinopril since I was 10 years old, but unfortunately, I can't take that while pregnant. Off of meds, I run about 190/110. Every BP med that is safe for pregnancy does NOTHING for me. Labetalol, methyldopa, and verapamil do not even lower it in the slightest. Nifedipine lowers mine to around 135/85. I hate the side effects, and my heart rate is through the roof on this med, but I am grateful it works and allows me to bring children into this world safely. Without this medication, I would not be able to have children. The second I give birth, I will immediately stop taking this and switch back to my normal med. The high heart rate and shortness of breath are temporary! I wouldn’t recommend this med for someone taking it long-term, but for a pregnant mama, it definitely works!"

• Cbr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

For Premature Labor "I was prescribed this RX to help with a TTT situation with my twins. After taking the med the first time, it literally felt like fire in my throat and would not stop, along with my heart racing and feeling my pulse in my ears. I took it a second time in the hospital, and the same side effects, but this time it dropped my BP so low I actually passed out. The last dose taken was at 9:30 am, and it is currently 9:30 pm and still have the heart thumping with feeling my pulse in my ears. This med is awful! I never have any issues with medication, but this one my body could not tolerate."

• Ray...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

For Raynaud's Syndrome "They think I just have primary Raynaud's. I'm not entirely convinced... Side effects took a week to get used to. They still come and go. My heart rate is higher now, I get a recurring sore throat, and headache. But the Raynaud's episodes are less frequent and shorter. But I am uncomfortable much of the time due to the side effects."

• Mys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2021

For Premature Labor "Baby born 32 weeks and 3 days. I started having bad headaches by the 3rd day. I had swelling in the common places, but my neck still feels swollen. Anyway, I was put on Nifedipine ER 30 mg at 2 weeks and 1 day postpartum, my blood pressure was high. I am having side effects which come on in the late afternoon hours and last until almost 10:30 pm to 11 pm, it all depends. Heart rate is up, headaches, muscle cramps in legs, and my neck is also being affected. I'm seeing my OB-GYN this week. My blood pressure has been normal with the medication, but I can't stand the side effects. I'm hoping I can get off this medication and my blood pressure stays normal now."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For Raynaud's Syndrome "Put on medication to treat symptoms of Raynaud disease after suffering over a year. However, taking medication 31 days, I started new symptoms. Which was rapid heart rate and extreme tremors that lasted sometimes more than an hour in the early morning after getting out of bed. After taking this drug for 42 days, I stopped taking it to see if it played a factor in new symptoms. The same day I stopped, I had a heart doctor appointment. Told the doctor the new symptoms. He told me to change the time in which I take my atenolol from morning to before bed. Now, a few days later, new symptoms have vanished! I read online nifedipine causes rapid heart rate. Why couldn’t my heart doctor put two and two together? These are the kind of things he should know as a heart specialist. Yes, this did stop the Raynaud disease symptoms, and the benefits were greater than the risk, but now the risk created new symptoms that would have continued to be a big problem if I hadn’t stopped taking the nifedipine!"