Amlodipine Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 11, 2023.
Applies to amlodipine: oral solution, oral suspension, oral tablet.
Serious side effects of Amlodipine
Along with its needed effects, amlodipine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking amlodipine:
More common
- Swelling of the ankles or feet
Less common
- Chest tightness
- difficult or labored breathing
- dizziness
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- feeling of warmth
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
Rare
- Black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain or discomfort
- chills
- cold and clammy skin
- cold sweats
- confusion
- cough
- dark yellow urine
- diarrhea
- dilated neck veins
- dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
- extra heartbeats
- fainting
- fever
- itching of the skin
- joint or muscle pain
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- numbness and tingling of the face, fingers, or toes
- pain in the arms, legs, or lower back, especially pain in the calves or heels upon exertion
- painful or difficult urination
- pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
- pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
- red, irritated eyes
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- redness, soreness or itching skin
- shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- sores, welting, or blisters
- sudden sweating
- sweating
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- swollen glands
- trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
- unsteadiness or awkwardness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weak or absent pulses in the legs
- weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- weight gain
- yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
- Clay-colored stools
- difficulty with speaking
- drooling
- headache
- loss of appetite
- loss of balance control
- muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
- nausea
- rash
- shuffling walk
- stomach pain
- twisting movements of the body
- uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
- unpleasant breath odor
- vomiting of blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Amlodipine
Some side effects of amlodipine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- feeling of warmth
- heartburn
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- muscle cramps
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Rare
- Abnormal dreams
- anxiety
- back pain
- bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
- bleeding gums
- blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
- bloating
- bloody nose
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- burning while urinating
- burning, dry, or itching eyes
- change in color of the treated skin
- change in sense of smell
- change in taste
- changes in vision
- constipation
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- cracked, dry, or scaly skin
- decreased sexual performance or desire
- depression
- difficulty with moving
- difficulty with swallowing
- discharge, excessive tearing
- double vision
- dry mouth
- dryness of the skin
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- excessive muscle tone
- eye pain
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- feeling of unreality
- feeling unusually cold
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- full feeling
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- headache, severe and throbbing
- hearing loss
- increased appetite
- increased hunger
- increased sweating
- increased thirst
- increased urge to urinate during the night
- increased urination
- irritability
- irritation in the mouth
- lack of feeling or emotion
- loose stools
- loss of memory
- muscle pains, stiffness, tension, tightness, or weakness
- nervousness
- pain
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- passing gas
- problems with memory
- redness and swelling of the gums
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- restlessness
- runny nose
- seeing double
- sensation of spinning
- sense of detachment from self or body
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- shivering
- sneezing
- stuffy nose
- sweating
- swollen joints
- tenderness in the stomach area
- thirst
- trouble in holding or releasing urine
- trouble sleeping
- twitching
- uncaring
- unexplained weight loss
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- waking to urinate at night
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- Swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to amlodipine: oral liquid, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.
General
The most commonly reported side effects include headache, edema, rash, fatigue, and dizziness.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Edema (up to 14.6%)
Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, ankle edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension, chest pain
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Myocardial infarction, arrhythmia (including bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation), vasculitis, cardiac failure, pulse irregularity, extrasystoles, hot flush
Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, peripheral ischemia, postural hypotension[Ref]
Myocardial infarction, chest pain, and arrhythmia (e.g., bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation) cannot be distinguished from the natural history of the underlying disease.
Edema occurred in 14.6% of female patients given this drug compared to 5.6% of male patients, and was more likely to occur in patients given the 10 mg dose (compared to the 5 and 2.5 mg doses).[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, dizziness, headache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tremor, taste perversion/dysgeusia, syncope, hypoesthesia, paresthesia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypertonia, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, migraine, amnesia, parosmia
Frequency not reported: Extrapyramidal syndrome, postural dizziness, vertigo[Ref]
Headache occurred commonly during clinical trials, especially at the beginning of treatment.
Extrapyramidal syndrome may be associated with this drug.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, nausea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting, dyspepsia, altered bowel habits (including diarrhea and constipation), dry mouth
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pancreatitis, gastritis, gingival hyperplasia, loose stools
Frequency not reported: Dysphagia, flatulence[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Flushing
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia, skin discoloration, increased sweating/hyperhidrosis, pruritus, rash, exanthema
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Erythema multiforme, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Quincke edema, photosensitivity, skin dryness, cold and clammy skin, dermatitis[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus, asthenia, pain, malaise
Frequency not reported: Rigors, thirst[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Micturition disorder, nocturia, increased urinary frequency, impotence
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Dysuria, polyuria
Frequency not reported: Male/female sexual dysfunction[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, myalgia, muscle cramps, back pain
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Muscle weakness
Frequency not reported: Arthrosis, twitching[Ref]
Psychiatric
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Insomnia, mood changes (including anxiety), depression
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Confusion
Frequency not reported: Abnormal dreams, depersonalization, nervousness, apathy, agitation[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea, rhinitis
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cough
Frequency not reported: Epistaxis[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Visual disturbance (including diplopia)
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Abnormal visual accommodation, xerophthalmia
Frequency not reported: Abnormal vision, conjunctivitis, eye pain[Ref]
Metabolic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weight increase/decrease
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyperglycemia, increased appetite
Frequency not reported: Anorexia[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Purpura
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Endocrine
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gynecomastia[Ref]
Hepatic
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis, jaundice, hepatic enzymes increased[Ref]
Increased hepatic enzymes were mostly consistent with cholestasis.
Some cases of hepatitis, jaundice, and/or hepatic enzyme elevations were severe enough to require hospitalization; however, the association with this drug was uncertain in most cases.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Allergic reactions, angioedema[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best time of day to take blood pressure medication?
- How do I reduce swelling from amlodipine?
- How long does it take for amlodipine to work?
- Does amlodipine cause weight gain?
- What medications cause swollen ankles and feet?
- Best time to take amlodipine - day or night?
- How long does amlodipine stay in your system?
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References
1. (2002) "Product Information. Norvasc (amlodipine)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.