Nifedipine and Swelling: What Users Say

• Red...
• August 14, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was having a lot of side effects from my other blood pressure meds, maybe that is common. Fatigue and restlessness and heart palpitations. After being tried on lisinopril, losartan and clonidine at different times, I felt none of them were safe. That the side effects were too bad... but I was very wrong. When they put me on time release nifedipine, my side effects increased, and they were so bad, I had to go off of it suddenly, I almost lost my life, my legs swelled with edema, veins were popping up, I was having chest pains, my blood pressure was rising and falling, pressure behind my eyes, I was super close to stroking out or a heart attack I was told. I am still recovering. I have to take something so I started back on losartan. My doctor is no help. I don't know what to do."

• Mee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Nifedipine during a visit to the ER with BP 179/104. After taking the first dose, my BP lowered to 130/80. I have been taking Nifedipine for about three months now and this is the only BP med I have been able to tolerate. My BP has been steady at 116/70 - 120/72. Side effects: severe headache when I first started taking the medication. After 3 days, the headache went away. They only return when I miss a dose. Constipation, heart palpitations (frightening), trouble sleeping due to vivid dreams and nightmares, constant urination (I take my pill at night), calf pain that comes and goes; same with swelling in my feet but not as much."

• Aut...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 23, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Been using Nifedipine ER for 2 years. The last three months, I started noticing more side effects. With the process of eliminating all meds except for the Nifedipine ER, the side effects were definitely from the Nifedipine ER. More swelling in my feet & ankles & even my arms. Made me more stuffy, fatigued & tired after only mild exertion, bloating & constipation. The worst of it was the tachycardia I was experiencing. It was coming on anywhere from 30 mins to 4 hours after taking it. I have been diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia a long time ago & it never bothered me until recently. It must be something new they are putting in the Nifedipine ER. IF YOU HAVE TACHYCARDIA, PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. IT WILL MAKE YOUR TACHYCARDIA WORSE. It also didn’t keep my blood pressure steady. Doctor tried adjusting the dosage & it didn’t work & made the side effects worse. BEWARE OF THIS MEDICATION."

• Roc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2019

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure "I have been on Nifedipine ER for a year to treat my B/P, and I take it with Metoprolol & Losartan. The nifedipine has been effective in keeping my B/P stable (the Metoprolol & Losartan by themselves not so much). However, I have to put up with bad side effects - swelling of feet, some heart palpitations, flushing of face (on & off), sleep disturbances, really bad neck & shoulder muscle pain. These side effects will last from 4-6 hours while the nifedipine is working in my body. I’m talking to my doctor about getting a possible substitute to see if it has fewer side effects. I don’t know if these side effects are very common, but this has been my experience."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was initially on HCTZ (25 mg) before pregnancy. BP was perfect throughout my entire pregnancy, but after having DD, my BP increased. I started taking Toprol XL (25 mg), and it increased my pressure to triple digits systolic and diastolic! I was then started on Nifedipine (30 mg 1x/day) a few days ago, and I’ve experienced the worst headaches. I am now swelling in my ankles and having the shakes in my hands. My BP is still in the triple digits, and it’s stressing me out."

• Com...
• January 25, 2011

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Procardia XL for about 4 years now. My blood pressure stays fairly consistent. The only negative is that my feet and lower legs (knees down) swell a little when I'm standing for a long time. Fluids must accumulate in my lower extremities. I don't urinate as much when I'm standing, then urinate more than usual after I lay horizontal for a while. It does a good job controlling the blood pressure, and I only have to take 1 tablet a day."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking for several months and swelling in my ankles and calves are a minor issue. First thing I do when I come home from work is put my feet up for about 30 minutes and that helps. Within about 1 1/2 hours after going to bed I have to get up to pee, I think this is caused by the fluid build-up. Blood pressure has been very good on this, about 126/85. I do feel tired and do not seem to have much energy most of the time."

• Rya...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Doctor started me on 60 mg to control my BP, later increased to 90 mg. The drug worked great in controlling my BP, and I had no side effects for about 3 months. Then the ankle swelling started. It got to a point where I was limping, and it was painful to walk down stairs. Doctor decreased dosage to 30 mg and added Coversyl about 2 months ago. Ankle swelling is almost gone, and mobility in my ankles is almost back to 100%."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 16, 2012

For Raynaud's Syndrome "I rated this at 50% because I'm not quite sure what's going on and how I feel about it. I have Raynaud's syndrome, and my hands and feet are constantly cold, blue, white, etc. If I'm in the heat or long showers, my feet turn bright red and get painful. If I'm doing physical activities, my hands get red and swollen. Anyway, I took this medicine for the first time at about 8:30 last night. It's now 4 am, and my feet are bright red, swollen, and painful, and my only minor relief is to keep my feet elevated (which can get tricky at work). They are warm, and my hands are warm, which is much different than usual, but this swelling is very bothersome. I'm not sure which is worse-before the meds or now. Right now, I think I'd rather take the cold."

• jka...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking Nifedipine and Lisinopril for 10 years or more, Dr. raised my Nifedipine to 90 mg from 30 mg. My ankles swell to the size of a grapefruit during the day. I take it at night, and I urinate about 5 times, and I mean urinate. By morning my ankles look normal, but it starts all over again! I take Lasix too with little results to the swelling. See Dr. tomorrow and will switch to something not sure?"

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "The first 9 or 10 months on nifedipine for high BP, I had a lot of the same side effects others have mentioned. Specifically, dizziness, headache, extreme fatigue, edema in my ankles and feet, muscle weakness, flushing, etc. I have even had some hallucinations, not sure I can attribute that to the medication, though. A couple of months ago, the dosage was increased from 30 mg to 60 mg because there was a stretch where it wasn't seemingly working as well. Well, the 60 mg was working okay at first, then we started working from home, and it kept dropping my blood pressure to dangerous levels, to the point of passing out. I went back to 30 mg, and my blood pressure is close to where it needs to be some of the time, but it seems to be the best I can get on this medication. Close, but no cigar, as they say. I'm mostly upset with the swelling in my legs and feet, I can't wear my shoes anymore or some of my pants, and to get the swelling down, I have to lie down with my feet up for at least half a day to be able to slip on shoes."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "The first 9 or 10 months on nifedipine for high BP, I had a lot of the same side effects others have mentioned. Specifically, dizziness, headache, extreme fatigue, edema in my ankles and feet, muscle weakness, flushing, etc. I have even had some hallucinations, not sure I can attribute that to the medication, though. A couple of months ago, the dosage was increased from 30 mg to 60 mg because there was a stretch where it wasn't seemingly working as well. Well, the 60 mg was working okay at first, then we started working from home, and it kept dropping my blood pressure to dangerous levels, to the point of passing out. I went back to 30 mg, and my blood pressure is close to where it needs to be some of the time, but it seems to be the best I can get on this medication. Close, but no cigar, as they say. I'm mostly upset with the swelling in my legs and feet, I can't wear my shoes anymore or some of my pants, and to get the swelling down, I have to lie down with my feet up for at least half a day to be able to slip on shoes."

• Nar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "This medication is absolutely horrible. It was tolerable at first, then came the lightheadedness, dizziness, palpitations, vertigo, swelling of legs, sore muscles, tingling in limbs, and tingling at the top of my head."

• jan...
• April 24, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking Nifedipine for blood pressure. I took it for 2 days, and I noticed my fingers swelling because my ring was always loose, and it became tight. I also experienced what felt like my heart lunging out of my chest. It gave me a good scare, I was afraid to go to sleep on the 2nd evening and never took another one. I am now on lisinopril that has hydrochlorothiazide in it. I feel great on that, my blood pressure is so much better. It was 209/92, but now it is down to 142 over 76. They started me off on a lower dose of lisinopril for two weeks, but today they raised it a little in hopes of taking it down to the normal range."

• Nif...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 22, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on nifedipine for 14 years, since the birth of my last child. I take it with atenolol 50 mg. I began 14 years ago on 60 mg once daily (extended release), then several years later reported instances of rapid heartbeats, so we reduced it to 30 mg, and that worked. It works well for hypertension. But, I began noticing water retention from the mid-calves down to my feet and was able to control it at times with natural remedies. The swelling would resolve overnight, but it started all over in the morning. It also seemed to be worse in humid weather. But, presently, nothing works, and they don’t even completely resolve overnight anymore. It’s calcium channel blockers. Edema gets worse over the years. I’m switching to a diuretic and coming completely off nifedipine. Bye-bye nifedipine, I won’t miss you!"

• Wea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2017

Nifedipine for Raynaud's Syndrome "Been on Adalat for the winter period. Started off good, but after 2 months, my left leg and ankle swelled and itched like crazy. Felt like dozens of bees stinging my leg. I knocked the Adalat off and it was OK. Doctor has now put me on Naftidrofuryl. Going to try, but looks as though there are other side effects with these tablets. But give them a go. Anyone had a reaction with these capsules."

• Jly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Recently found out I’m pregnant and had my last child early due to blood pressure, so I was prescribed these this time instead of labetalol and have had horrible swelling in my legs and feet, horrible numbness in my legs when sitting, and upon standing, get extremely light-headed and a tingling sensation in my neck and head. I switched back to my previous med but am still going through the side effects from this medication and am on day 2 without it. I do not recommend this med to anyone, I haven’t gotten off the couch since I started it a month ago."

• Ril...
• February 4, 2021

For Hypertensive Emergency "I had a left basal ganglia stroke due to hypertension. My B/P was 220/125. I was 49 at the time. Upon discharge from the hospital and God’s hand, I was able to go home with minimal effects. I began taking Procardia ER following the stroke and had multiple trips to the ER with severe symptoms of heart palpitations, extreme dizziness, excessive weight gain and swelling, shooting electrical-like pains in my arms, joint pain, severe anxiety, random confusion, and a fuzzy feeling in the back of my head. I was told by the ER, just a headache... need to wait and see what the full effects of your stroke will be... I waited and lived like this, never knowing which day would be a horrible day of symptoms. Finally realized the first hour of getting up in the morning before I took the med, I felt normal, with symptoms starting about 45 minutes after taking it. I know I have no choice but to take some type of medication, but this medication has horrible side effects. I still have issues with B/P and even this med."

• H3a...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2020

Nifedipine "Since using Adalat XL for 2 weeks, it first of all lowered the blood pressure significantly. Then, BP was out of control again. Started off with the Cipalat for the first 2 weeks given by the pharmacist, then decided since Adalat was prescribed to get that to see if it would work better. Then, feet started swelling immensely, diuretics helped nothing. Then went on like this for the rest of the month. Started to have shortness of breath, wheezing, pulse rate went up by 10 per minute, then started to have a very uncomfortable stomach, pain in the liver area, constipated and windy all over. Had pain in the groin and genitals, was irritable, sleepless, and depressed. Stopped the stuff, but it has been a week now and my feet are still swollen and still very windy, and my stomach is still blown up. How long will this take to subside?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking nifedipine for almost 2 years. At my 37-week check, my blood pressure was creeping up. I got induced, and my bp remained 140/90. I was first put on labetalol, which works, but every 2 weeks the dosage was having to be increased. So then they put me on nifedipine, which works, but now after a year of being on it, I'm noticing weight gain, upper stomach pains, and swollen ankles and calves. Thinking it's time for me to switch up. I sometimes wake up to a consistent headache that would last all day."

• 1Nc...
• December 7, 2009

"When you first begin taking nifedipine, it causes migraines for about the first 3 days. If you miss 2 or more doses, it causes headaches, flushing, and nausea. I developed a rash and swelling on one side of my face. The rash covered my body. Do not take if you are taking vitamin C or B complex."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking nifedipine ER 60 mg, and my gums became swollen and bleeding when I brushed my teeth. Went to the periodontist, and she said nifedipine had been shown to cause swollen gums. Went to the cardiologist and primary care, and neither would change the med until I told primary care that I would find another doctor if he didn't change it. So he lowered it to 30 mg. Gums still swollen but not as badly. I'm going to stop taking nifedipine 30 for a few weeks and see what happens."

• 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."

• Sie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure "At first, I liked it, but then my feet and calves got very swollen. I stopped it and increased my verapamil, but I am swollen after two days."