Amlodipine (Norvasc) Side Effects

You did not mention that a persistent dry cough is also associated with Norvasc and similar drugs. My former doctor only prescribed more medicine to rid me of the dreadful, annoying cough. When I realized I felt worse for all the meds, I quit them all and changed to a doctor that wasn't a pill-pusher. There are some wonderful older simpler meds available, but the docs get lots of samples so they go with the flow.

My doctor prescribed Norvasc to replace the Quinapril I had been taking because she was concerned about kidney effects. Within a week of starting it, I was so depressed I could not function. I took myself off of it and went back on the Quinapril until I could get in to see the doctor.

Taking Cozaar now with no problems. There are quite a few online reports of depression with this medication and I think physicians should take these complaints more seriously. I am reasonably healthy emotionally with some seasonal affective disorder, but this medication made me feel as though life was not worth living. I have never had such a reaction to any drug and feel this is a serious enough side effect that physicians should monitor its use carefully.

I have taken norvasc or the generic for a few years now. No side effects!!!

The Dr's found that only norvasc could lower my blood pressure.

I would like others to consider the fact that if you are a small framed women, you should insist on the Dr. using a smaller(child size) cuff when checking your blood pressure... it will make a big difference in your reading. In order to have eye surgery I had to go to a "Doctor" to approve of my having eye surgery... after all he was putting his reputation on the line. He gave me several medications... most likely to protect his signature.... a nurse told me that my readings were normal, but the Doctor insisted on using "his" cuff which covered my entire arm!

My bp was much higher than the nurses reading using the smaller cuff minutes before. I got off the meds as soon as my surgery was over... Eat dark chocolate-celery- all of those recommended dietary helps!

Are there possible adverse reactions from combining amlodipine with a calcium channel blocker like olmesartan, the fixed-dose combination I'm now taking with Azor 10-40MG? Previously, I was on Benicar, and it was far less expensive. It would seem from your update from the ALLHAT study that I could replace amlodipine with Benicar's hydrchlorothiazide to stay stabilized at stage 1 hypertension (149/70).

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WE DON'T DISAGREE, BUT THINK YOU SHOULD TALK THIS OVER WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

I take amlodipine, benazapril, and lasix. I do experience ankle swelling, but I did not really notice it until after I developed Atrial Fibrillation. That was when the diuretic was added. When my BP was not quite in control, my doctor warned me about ankle swelling and increased the benazapril instead which did the trick.

The one nice side effect from norvasc (amlodipine) has been the cessation of migraine headaches for going on 15 years. I think on my next visit to my doctor I will discuss this article and changing what I take for blood pressure control. If the migraines returned I could always go back on norvasc perhaps in a lower dosage.

I was taking 25 mg. Atenolol and 2.5mg. Amlodipine for high blood pressure for a year but my blood pressure increased so the Doctor said to take a whole Amlodipine (5 mg). After two weeks the pressure came down but I have swollen ankles, lightheadedness, headache, flushing and fast heartbeat - at times.

Why is it Doctors will not believe these meds cause problems and, instead, send someone for a CT scan of the brain to see if there may be mini strokes instead - even though his patient is healthy otherwise???
B. C. March 25, 2011

I started out 7-8 yrs ago on lotrel 5/20, but after a few yrs I was put (by our prescription service!) on the generic: amlodipine/benazapril. I've had no particular problems. Now my normal BP is +/- 123/80 or so. I do have the intermittent cough, but I think that's about it.

I agree with Pauline. I have been on Norvasc or it's generic for more than ten years, and have no side effects. I guess we are all different in how we react to drugs.

Leave a comment?? After reading the posts for this article I am truly near being stunned. If these medications can create such serious results and side-effects and the prescribing doctors seem to be the blind leading the blind and pulling a shot-in-the-dark, where is a person left with what alternatives?

Are there any natural resources and resources to replace these medications?? Some - no, make that mucho more - information is seriously needed.

Norvasc at 5 mg rarely causing swelling, probable less than 5% but at 10 mg its very common up to 25 %. It would be very unlikely that norvasc would cause cold feet as I commnly Rx this drug for that very reason in people who have Raynauds. Swelling with Norvasc is much less, when it is combined with either an Ace Inb. or Arb. Cough is usually caused by an Ace inb. in up to 20% of people (not with Norvasc).

I have not seen any post as to the problems I have had with BP Meds and I have had plenty. What I have experience is severe palpitations and skipped beats. And I mean severe. My heart would flutter after every breath. I thought I was going to die with Dursban.

The problems ususlly started after I was on the meds for about thirty days and took about a week to return to normal after stopping the med.
The meds that caused the problems were, Norvasc, Zestril, Lotril, Dursban, and I think some others.

I had been on Verapamil for years but it gradually stopped working. Thankfully, I found a heart doctor that listened to me and put me on Acebutolol. I seem to be fine now.

Thank you

I was taking Benicar without any side effects but my insurance will no longer pay for it. I am now taking Losartan (generic for Hyzaar)) I also take Amlodipine Besylate 10 MG (Norvasc) without any side effects.

My medication for diabetics has changed from Metformin to Actos 5mg. I have experienced some fluid retention in the ankle since taking that. One of the side effects from that says that it may cause swelling.

I am currently taking Atenolol 50mg, Lisinopril 40mg daly, Felodipine ER 10mg (eod) and Hydrochlorothiazide (eod) to manage my BP which seems to be creeping up to average 145/75. I generally don't experience any edema and usually notice that my BP drops after about 30 min of aerobic exercise. My main issues are tinnitus and insomnia going back some years. I have been taking 1/2 of a 25mg tab of Doxylamine Succinate that seems to help with the insomnia.

Question: My cardiologist does not want to change my meds since BP is more or less stable. My BP is usually elevated in the morning and drops by late afternoon.
I think these are a lot of meds. I should mention that I take CoQ-10 200mg Ubiquinone daily plus other supplements.

After reading about the problem with calcium channel blockers, since I take Calcium Citrate for Osteopenia does that lessen the danger of congestive heart failure?

I took a total of ten different blood pressure meds with varied side effects including severe constipation until my niece, a Dr. of pharmacology, suggested Diovan which has worked well for me.

Amlodipine had side effects on me like losing balance while in standing position.

My doctor substituted Lasartan for Amlodipine.

I have been taking Lasartan since last one year. I am ok with it, with no side effects.

I never heard before that Norvasc can cause peripheral neuropathy. I developed this very painful condition shortly after starting Norvasc 5 mg, but my doctors all say Norvasc cannot cause this. Does anyone have a medical reference for this side effect?

This was a very informative article. It really shows how you really need to be an informed Patient. I have been on Norvasc for 3 years. My Dr lowered the dosage when my legs started to swell. (I told him I thought it was the Norvasc.) He lowered it again when the swelling did not go down. I still have swelling and dizzy spells and nausea. I am going to ask him to take me off of it. I also take Nadolol (a Beta Blocker.) I have heard that their can be problems when taking a Beta Blocker and a Calcium Chanel Blockers like Norvasc. If anyone has info about this, please let me know.

I am taking daily Amlodipine 5 mg, hydrochlorothyazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg, Benazepril 40 mg and Atenolol 50 mg to keep my blood pressure under control. I also have urinary frequency and have seen a urologist for eight years and have tried every drug and treatment in the book for urinary frequency and urgency (I do not have an enlarged prostate.) So, b/c I have to urinate often I do not like to take diuretics but the HCTZ at 12.5 mg is half what I had been taking and my urinary symptoms are somewhat 'under control' though I am also taking Toviaz 8 mg for my bladder.

Got any recommendations for getting off the Amlodipine perhaps?

I guess I'll have to discuss the contents of this article with my GP.

Do you still have those feelings of unsteadiness? I took Norvasc for 5 days and became dizzy and had palpitations. I have been off the drug for 5 weeks and still have dizziness, brain fog and unsteadiness, but no palpitations.

I have never had problems with high sugar readings until the doctor put me on Norvasc. After having high readings for several years she told me that she was going to start treating me for diabetes. I read an article about Norvasc causing high sugar readings and discussed this with her. She refused to listen and would not change the Norvasc.

I changed physicians and found one that would listen to me. She immediately changed my blood pressure meds and my glucose tests have been great every time. That was two years ago. If I had not trusted my instincts I would be on meds for diabetes right now and being treated for something that I don't have.

A larger cuff should make your blood pressure artificially LOW not HIGH. Using a too-small cuff is a mistake a lot of people make (more common than using a too-large cuff.

To SW:
I, too, had a bad reaction to the generic Norvasc and had to go back on the brand name Norvasc. You are so right about how expensive the brand name Norvasc became. My solution was to begin getting my Norvasc from Canada. It cost me 1/3 of the price charged in the USA. I have had no problem receiving my medication. As I lived in Canada at one time, I am only sorry so many Americans have been unnecessarily frightened by those who want to keep our health system as it is. When is the last time a doctor made a house call for your sick child, dressed in a suit at 10:00 pm on a Sunday night? Enough said.

I've been taking Norvasc for a few years and it initially caused some swelling in my feet which went away after a few weeks. Just recently my ankles have been swelling pretty badly. Has anyone experienced this effect after somewhat long term use? Should I be concerned about other causes? I also take low dose Atenolol.

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: SWOLLEN FEET AND LEGS IS A PRETTY COMMON SIDE EFFECT OF NORVASC.

I had to stop taking 5 mg Norvasc (generic variety) 3 weeks after initiating the meds because of palpitations and much higher pulse rate.

Fortunately I was able to convince my doctor that I should stop it. However, after 10 days, I still experienced mild palpitations in the afternoon on exertion or when the weather was hot.

Is this normal? How long does it take to completely clear the drug?

Another question is rebound hypertension caused by Norvasc stoppage. So far I haven't seen any, but wonder if the rebound effect could come much later?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

I had intended to ask what foods could be recommended for a blood-pressure lowering effect. I then thought to refer to my 2006 Graedon's 'Best Choices from The People's Pharmacy'. I no longer need to ask the question and at the risk of appearing a shill for the book it might be a good idea to obtain it for those with blood pressure problems. Check your local library - I just checked and discovered mine carries the book.

And at the risk of appearing really dumb, after reading the section on blood pressure and recommended foods I remembered "Oh, yeah, that's why I started eating..."

I started norvas three years ago and found I had to take it in the evening to avoid having an upset stomach. My last refill from costco's had a label saying it was a new generic supplier " greenstone ltd. The pill was bigger, about double the size I had been taking. I ended up in the emergency room because the pill burned all the way down and other symptoms. While I wait the return of my doctor from vacation I'm cutting the pill in quarters but still have a horrible sensation of clogged up throat.

I've been on Amlodipine, Atenelol for awhile now and have experienced swollen ankles. Recently, my Cardiologist upped the dosage (doubled it) and since then it's like walking around with two sprained ankles. I even had blood vessels pop around my ankle like a ankle bracelet. I tried stopping the meds for a day or two but my blood pressure went up. I've cut the pills in half and that seems to work out. I think I need to check with my dr. for a new med.

My grandmother used to take amlodipine 2.5 mg, benazepril 10 mg, atenolol 50 mg spironolactone 25 mg and furosemide 40 mg. She was in the hospital and her meds were changed to amlodipine 5 mg and metoprolol 25 mg. It has been almost 4 months and she has been having episodes of severe coughing several times a day. It also makes her eyes water and her nose run.

Should she try going back to the original dosage of amlodipine and atenolol to try getting rid of the cough? She also has swelling in her legs and is having an attack of gout in her hand and toe.

I do not believe generics are - to quote Drs. - the same. Since when is a copy exactly the same as the original?? If they are the same, why doesn't the Pharma company lower their price of, say, Norvasc to match the generic? They would sell more and, thus, pay for their research into this drug. Mr. Graedon, I respect you both so much so would appreciate your comments, as well as comments from other folks. Thank you.

I have had to take various types of BP meds over the last 25 years because after a while, they didn't seem to work. Other than great difficulty controlling BP, I have no other health problems and am very healthy and active. My cardiologist put me on 5mg of amlodipine last year and I had every symptom listed, but the worst were severe heart palpitations, flushing and hot flashes that were almost debilitating.....my clothes were soaked especially at night (I am pasted having menopausal symptoms).

I tried to give it some time, but after six months, my life was beginning to really be effected by little sleep and depression, so I cut the dose in half and noticed a dramatic improvement of all symptoms. My doctor eventually switched medicines on my next visit. I wished I hadn't waited so long to ask for a change, as it took another 3 months to feel normal again! All said and done, I figured I lost a year of my life due to the affects of amlodipine!

I take amlodine and I get dizzy. But its only when I lay down and then try to get back up I am so scared.

I am taking amlodopine 7.5mg and am experiencing muscle cramps especially at night in my legs and feet. I have read that cramps are a possible side effect of using diuretic drugs that treat high blood pressure. Calcium and magnesium are suggested supplements to combat the cramps. Should I take Calcium supplements or will that compromise the benefits of amlodopine?

People's Pharmacy response: It is OK to take a calcium supplement even though you are on amlodipine. Don't forget to take at least half as much magnesium as calcium.

I didn't even realize I had hbp until 6 months ago after a routine blood test.The first meds I was put on liposil gave me a hacking cough so bad it would make me gag. I returned to docs where I saw another GP. She then put me on to amlodipine but not before I was weened off liposil I take 10mg and the cough has gone.

I have suffered with weight gain which I can do without and slightly swollen ankles and hands and extreme tiredness and loss of sex drive but the worse thing is the racing heart. This got so extreme I actually thought I was going to have a heart attack and went back to the GP my blood pressure was fine but she referred me to the cardiology department.

I had to wear a monitor for 1 week and try to catch the episodes but most of them woke me up at night so I missed them.They were analyzed and some were actually off the chart but they said my heart is fine but I cannot understand this and I am going back to my GP again next week as all I can think of is its the amlodipine.

I had been on Amlodipine for quite some time, it regulated my blood pressure very well but I had several side affects which I could cope with, given that they were controlling my high blood pressure. Unfortunately I started to get palpitations I think it was gradual over a period of time until it became unbearable ie nearly passing out.

I was sent for several tests and was diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and a leaking heart valve and my medication was changed. I have been for two follow up appointments with cardiologist, my last one I did say I had a couple of fibrillations but not too bad. I was weaned off one of my meds (bisoprolol) then be off completely for a further two days and phone with a final Pulse rate (66.)

I have been off it since 27th September. I have not heard from my consultant since. I have been to see my GP blood pressure a little high, he was going to find out from consultant what I was to do that was on 17th October I have heard nothing so far. Should I be worried? Have had no palpitations since stopping meds.

11/2/11 I was put on Norvasc 5mg. Pharmacy filled it with the generic Amlodopine Besylate...I have no idea if that makes any difference at all, but just telling it how it was. I took the 5mg tablet at 10am Nov. 2nd, 2011. It did NOTHING to help my blood pressure!!! By around 2 pm, I started feeling so light-headed, it was like I was almost having an out of body experience.

It seemed to me like more of a psychiatric drug than a hypertension drug. I was spacy & loopy the rest of the evening/night. Called reported it to my doc. Was told the next morning to take only 1/2 (so now 2.5mg)...I took 1/2 tablet at 8:30am on Nov. 3rd. By 10am, my blood pressure increased and I again felt like I was about to have an out of body experience. I got up to get some water and was just totally overcome with a complete sense of DREAD that I just thouht I was going to freak out (I just wanted to cry, I felt like I had NO CONTROL at all...and this is NOT like me!). It wasn't depression at all...it was a complete feeling of dread...just as thought the Grim Reaper was right behind me.

I was really out of it, called doc's office, left message. A few min. later the nurse calls me back...and I have no idea what she said to me, I just told her I was going to lay down and see if I could sleep it off. Then she calls back a min. later and tells me the doc says to get the ER immediately! I got up, looked in the mirror...I was PALE as a ghost! I looked horrible. Anyway, visited the ER (husband came home from work & took me)...I was so loopy, the doc thought I was on illegal drugs, he couldn't believe Norvasc or Amlodopine Besylate could do this to a person. The doc began checking my arms for IV drug use, came across a redden area and asked about it. I said I'd had blood drawn at my doc's yesterday...that she was checking my renin enzymes as I'd been having difficulty with my BP...and she'd put me on this Norvasc...and this is why I was here at the ER, because she told me to report to the ER. Bottom line the ER doc said not to take the Norvasc or Amlodopin Besylate EVER again.

It was a crazy day! Also, on the morning of Nov. 3rd, I woke up with my lymph nodes in my neck hurting very badly, not swollen, just painful. I massaged them and they finally stopped hurting...and THIS MORNING (Nov. 4th) I again woke up with the same pain in the lymph nodes...massaged them, they felt better, but they've been hurting off and on all day. Oh, yeah, and I had a bad headache when I went to bed last night and been very tired today. Not sure how long it will take to get all this out of my system...been drinking lots of water to flush things out. I am very sensitive to so many medications...this was like a "bad trip!"

I have HTN my doctor just started me on norvasc 5mg today. After reading these comments, I am scared to death to take this drug. I need something natural. Any suggestions?

After reading all the problems some people are having with Norvasc, I am wondering if you are taking the generic version of Norvasc or the original pill. I could not tolerate the generic, but do well on the regular Norvasc. It is expensive, but I get my Norvasc in Canada. I also have gotten my thyroid pills from Canada as I cannot tolerate anything but the original thyroid medication. In the USA, the Norvasc would cost me $100 a month. Instead, I pay $100 for three months. One has to send in a prescription. I used to live In Canada years ago, so the boogey man stories that are put out about Canada's health system do not fool me. Good luck to everyone and I hope you all improve.

my husband has a problem. he takes metoprolol, amlodipine, hydralazine for BP/ he is getting swollen ankles, legs and arms. he is short of breath. is there something out there to reduce this swelling? he is diabetic, kidney problems and BP.

I started taking (amlodipine) Norvasc about 2 years ago. After a year of taking the generic version of the drug, my feet and ankles began swelling. My doctor lowered my dosage from 10 mg to 5 mg. The swelling went down somewhat, but I still have occasional swelling in my feet and ankles. After two years of this, I finally asked my doctor to switch me back to my original channel blocker medication, Cardizem, which does not cause me to have side effects, unless, I take the generic brand of this medication, which affects my near and far vision.

I never thought about taking the brand name of Norvasc to see if the swelling would go away. I just felt that it was best that I go back to the drug that my body seemed to have no problems with. The reason why I switched in the first place was because of the cost of the generic Norvasc and the side effect that the generic Cardizem was causing me. When it comes to side effects -vs- the cost, I would rather suffer with the cost of paying more, as opposed to suffering from the side effects.

untreated diabetes.....?

I was put on Norvasc 5mg and Losartan 100mg and after 6 months had elevated liver enzymes. Asked doctor at that time if it could be due to the new meds as that was the only thing I did different in the past 6 months and he said "No."

Note I drink very little alcohol less that one drink a month if even that much and I do not smoke. He scheduled me to return in 6 weeks to recheck labs, leaving me on the meds. At 6 weeks liver enzymes even higher. Had to have hepatitis panel drawn as well as having ultrasound to check pancreas, gall bladder, liver and common bile duct. All returned negative.

I had looked on internet and found that post marketing experience showed some experienced cholestasis and hepatitis severe enough to require hospitalization. Informed doctor of this and he disagreed until he looked it up and then stopped both meds at recheck at 5 weeks after off meds liver enzymes are showing normal and others are going down. Doctor still does not want to believe med caused this. Unbelievable; I have not been taking any blood pressure medicine for past 6 weeks and readings have been normal including at follow up with doctor.

I have been on Amlodipine 5mg for about 2 years. I noticed an earlier comment about smelling smoke. I do not smoke yet my wife just mentioned she smelt the oder as well while being around me. Up until about 3 months ago I did not have the sense of smelling smoke. As odd as it may seem my wife went into my closet and did not smell smoke on any of my clothes?? Has anyone else had this sense of smell, and if so have you mentioned it to your MD? What if anything has come of it. I am wondering if it comes about with prolonged use through the blood stream and just now leaching out the odor....

MD

I have a question for anyone who has taken this and gotten swollen ankles and muscle aches in your legs; how long does it take for them to go away?..

You are absolutely right about physicians and samples. I have decided to try and Endocrinologist to treat my hypertension and diabetic condition!!!!!!!!

I am a 29 year old female on Norvasc for migraines and have noticed a decrease in my sex drive. Is this possible??

People's Pharmacy response: Yes, sexual dysfunction in women has been reported as a reaction to Norvasc.

I have been taking 10 mg of amlodipine for high blood pressure but my pressure is still in the 148/77 range. Days that I run my pressure is 120/75. I want to switch to a former drug atenolol (12.5mg) which was consistently controlling my pressure without the huge spikes on certain days. I have 2 scotches every night as well. Is there any harm in my suddenly making the switch back to atenolol?

People's Pharmacy response: Please check in with your physician. S/He may have had a reason we don't know of to change your prescription.

My husband was very into romance in our marriage, you know the kind that couldn't pass you in the kitchen without touching you. He went on Amlodipine, and its like I'm living w a stranger. He diffinitly see's a difference. Anyone out there, with a suggestion for this problem?

Regarding low libido question posted by "Melissa". I have experienced this problem but I am on two other BP meds besides Amlodipine (5 mg). I also take Aliskeren (300 mg) and Edarbi (80 mg).

I am heavy (BMI=38) and my BP is not that well controlled. Also I take a variety of other meds for various other conditions some of which may also effect libido of which I have essentially none.

I started to take in addition to my other bp meds and I'm not sure if I have a side affect or not. I'm experiencing extreme hand arm and leg pain going into my back and neck. It feels like my whole leg and arms including feet and hands are just aching muscle and bones. It is worse at night and I have now started to take pain tablets to help me. Now even during the day the symptoms are not lessening and I'm not sure what to do.

does anyone have the same experience?

I took norvasc last year and I too had these weird out of body feelings. It felt like I was outside myself and watching myself. I stopped taking it and went on a diet to drop my BP instead.

Swollen ankles are a documented side effect of norvasc. So it would seem that anyone taking it is at risk for getting an expensive medical work up for heart failure because ankle swelling is a symptom of that disease. Instead of switching the
Norvasc-prescribed public to a diuretic like chlorthalidone like this website suggests Mds will order a barrage of expensive tests because they will use fear-mongering to convince you it is a zebra when it is simply a horse.

Goggle for side effects & take your information to your doctor.
Nan

So happy to have found this site! I was prescribed Norvasc {generic} for slightly elevated B/P/ I've not been on any meds until now and will not continue taking this one either! I work in the operating room, standing on my feet all day, and this past week {after taking this for 3 weeks} my legs and feet started to swell and the pain was so horrible I wanted to cry! I had this reddish looking rash on my lower legs and the skin was so tight I wanted to scream!
What the h*** is wrong with docs anymore, prescribing these meds?

I haven't taken it today, rash is gone, swelling is gone but legs still feel tired and achy.

I'm going with a total diet change, exercise ...ANYTHING to lower my pressure. {and 152/92 isn't stroke level, coming from the surgeons, I work with} And I work at a TOP Hosp in the Country. I'll trust them over the Internal Med who prescribed this muck!

Oh..and I've called the MD Office 3 times this week and NO return calls! I'll be finding a MD who isn't too busy pushing a patient out the door every 20 minutes to make a quota!

I am taking 10mg of Norvasc daily, for about 1 1/2 yrs,(used to take 5 mgs)
I just suddenly am falling down for no apparent reason, today also a couple months ago, and last May I fell and broke my right humorous. I had NEVER PREVIOUSLY had this problem before my high bp meds.(I'm also on Rasilez). Also I do get swollen ankles, especially after being at work at my desk all day.

People's Pharmacy response: Be sure to discuss this with your physician. Swollen ankles are a known side effect of Norvasc, and there are other drugs to help lower blood pressure. If your falls were triggered by dizziness, that too could be a side effect.

I have been taking 5mg of Amlodopine forv a few months, having been taken off Losartin because of a reduced kidney function which was caused by anti-inflamataries taken for bad osteo arthritis. Feet and ankles swelled up, kept cutting out amlodipine for a week or so at a time to reduce swelling. A few weeks ago my left leg got swollen so badly, especially round ankle and calf. Went to GP who sent me to Hospital for DVT test which proved positive. I have to inject Clexane into my stomach daily until my blood thins to between 2 and 3 and am taking 5mg of Warfarin daily.

Could this have been caused by the Amlidipine? I am 74,have never smoked or drank, don't go on planes, eat well, exercise at least 3 times a week in water, go for short daily walks.

People's Pharmacy response: Thanks for calling out one symptom that requires a doctor visit: one leg is very swollen, more than the other one. That could signal a blood clot like the one you have. We don't know if amlodipine increases the risk of DVT.

I started on Lisinpril for high blood pressure in late 2009, early 2010 but do to side effect of "dry cough" my doctor switched me to Amlodipine. I was on the lowest dosage then because my blood pressure was still high, my doctor in increased the dosage.

In the summer of 2010 I noticed a "bald spot" the size of a quarter on the back of my scalp. Within several months, all my hair had started to fall out! I also have lost my eye lashes, eye brows and most of the hair on my body! I now have to wear a wig constantly when not at home! I am only 50 years old and I was horrified that someone who always had "a lot of hair" by my hairdresser could be losing there hair at such an alarming rate!

Has anyone else had this happen after going on blood pressure meds? I have been on thyroid meds since age 25 and have had bouts of partial hair loss off eyebrows, but nothing of what I am experiencing now! It's horrific! Another doctor I went to did numerous tests and his only conclusion was I was vitamin D "deficient". Then here recommended I see a "plastic surgeon" for the hair loss! I have now determined this doctor is an "insensitive" JERK! It is bad enough I have started MENOPAUSE but to lost ALL my hair too? TOO MUCH STRESS!

I have discussed my severe dizziness with my physician, but he has not chosen to change my medication! The dizziness and fatigue is worse at times, but I now fear I may lose my balance and fall! Can anyone recommend a way to lessen this side affect or mention another blood pressure medication in place of the amlodipine I am now taking?

I would find another doctor. Preferably a geriatric doctor.
You should not have to put up with that.
Good luck

I started this med 2.5 mg. Almopidine Besolate for HBP. It gave me seizures, extremely high BP spikes, dizziness, & a weird smell of tar/turpentine. Swollen ankle feels like my right ankle is broken. I have been off of this drug for 2 weeks & my ankles are still paining & swollen. Called my Cardio Dr. told him I was off of it.... he had no comment. I called my primary same thing told her this med was causing seizures.

Took this drug for 9 months never realizing it was the real cause of my problem... Now I know, never had any allergies or reactions to any drugs/food in my lifetime till now. Not a good drug for me......AG

I was taking DIOVAN 340 with HTC 12.5, Atenolol 100mg and Nifedipine 30 time released. My HBP always remained high and my ankles swollen. The doctor stopped the Nifedipine and I continued with the remaining medications, but my HBP still remain high. 3 months ago he added Almodipine 5mg. At last my HBP went down to normal; 117 / 11.4 which is wonderful... but the well known side effects of Amlodipine, SWELLING ANKLES disturbed me a great deal.

My friend suggested that I drink Cranberry juice for the swelling of my ankles. I am going to try it but I am afraid that if the doctor decided to stop the Amlodipine (IMPORTANT MAKE SURE TO WEAN OFF MEDICATION BEFORE COMPLETELY STOPPING ) my BP will rise again. WHAT NEXT TO DO?

Hi, I was prescribed generic norvasc Monday... by Wednesday I felt like my chest was going to erupt! I called my doc n told him I couldn't take this med, it was doing nothing for my BP and it was killing me... he wanted me to go to cardiologist... I explained it was an allergic reaction... he argued, so I went to another doc... took me off of it put me on lisinopril (which I have been on in past with no ill effects) and BP is under control today... Thursday, but the tightness is still in my chest. Had an EKG heart is fine ... how long is this stuff gonna have me all bound up?

why does amlodipine and losartan make my blood pressure rise?

Sabrina, I would like to know what are you taking now for your blood pressure. I also am very sensitive to drugs and am terrified of taking BP medicines, but I know I have to take it. Today is my first day I am taking Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg. The doctor also prescribed Amlodipine 2.5mg, but after seeing all of these negative comments on this site, I am afraid to take it. Thanks

Yasmin, I currently take 50mg. Tenormin, the brand name for the generic Atenolol. It costs more, but it works much better than Atenolol did for me. I've also been exercising more, doing yoga and water Tai Chi (called Ai Chi) at my health club... but even better than that, I've been getting acupuncture done once or twice a week.

Acupuncture has been great! It's really helped to unblock energetic blockages and has helped me to "flow" with life. Along with all this, I do meditation once a day for about an hour. I have found some great meditation cds that really help me to totally relax. I'm really beginning to understand how our feelings/emotions impact our health. I've learned, or am learning, to release negative emotions/energy, resistance and judgment to God, or the universe, if you will. I also drink lots of water (non-chlorinated water, not city water), and herbal teas.

My blood pressure still fluctuates at times, but, I've noticed after meditation it's been awesome! Just a few days ago, I took it after meditating and it was 97/59! I'm not endorsing any of these things mentioned... to each his own, but these are the things I've been doing and they've helped me greatly.

I'm really trying to take responsibility for my health and my decisions are based on the fact that we are not just physical beings. It's the mind/body/spirit approach that I honor. I also read lots of spiritual books. The cds, if anyone is interested, are by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. Thank you and many blessings!

I have been taking norvasc for years now also but just within the last 3 months the doc doubled my dosage, I had noticed a cigarette smell before but just briefly but now that he has doubled it I have blurred vision and am noticing cigarette smoke a lot more and I too live in a smoke free home? I unfortunately signed on to webmd (don't go there unless your not neurotic like I am) I typed in my symptoms and it said I had everything from diabetes to mini strokes!! I freaked and went to the doc, he gave me some nasal spray thinking it could be congestion or allergies and did an eye test for the blurred vision, if symptoms persist he is scheduling an mri next week but now that I read all these people smelling the same thing from this drug I don't know, nice to know that others are smelling the same things I am:)

I am a 73 year old man. I was given Amlodipine for swollen ankles and started feeling lightheaded and passing out. The Dr. took me off it and I felt fine then he said I had a irregular heart beat and prescribed Warfarin and Metoprolol. I started feeling lightheaded and passing out. I seen the heart specialist and he stopped the Metoprolol but not the Warfarin. The Warfarin makes my feet breakout with a rash and itches like crazy. I wore a heart monitor for a month and the specialist said that when I felt lightheaded that my heart was slowing and when I felt like passing out my heart would stop for about five seconds.I am now off the Warfarin, Metoprolol and Amlodipine. I think that the Amlodipine was the fault in the beginning.

Thanks Sabrina, your experience is a light in a dark page of horrible experiences. I just started HP controlling medicine today, (Amlodipine 5mg) but hope that I will not have to undergo such extreme side effects. Over the years I have practiced yoga and meditation and I have been a vegetarian for many years, still, due to reasons I cannot say, I developed very high BP, so your experience has reinvigorated my determination to try and keep the BP within bounds by natural means while at the same time monitoring the side effects of this medication. God bless you and may you live a long and happy life.

Thank you, Mahashakti, for your very sweet post. I am touched. I honestly love getting acupuncture treatments done and it really helps to settle me... and my blood pressure. That, and exercising with the help of a personal trainer at my local health club helps a lot. I do wish you the very best and may God bless you and you live a long, happy & healthy life, Mahashakti!

Has anyone developed a hard cough after taking Edarbi 40/12.5. I am coughing so bad I have a sore throat. Was on Diovan 320/12.5 for years but Dr. put me on Edarbi and after a month, I starting coughing. It has controlled my blood pressure better but I don't think I can deal with this. I know Edarbi is a fairly new drug so wondering what others may think.

I am 76 year old female, used to long walks and being on-the-go, and am in excellent health except for elevated BP. I have slight osteoarthritis and Reynauds syndrome. For the past 7 months the only medication I have regularly taken is 10mg generic amlodipine bestylate. I started taking it in the morning but then switched to bedtime to see if the side-effects would lessen. Not a lot. I have had severe allergic-type reactions to most of the Alpha and Beta blockers.

Just prior to amlodipine I was taking 90mg nifidepine without many side effects, but it was not controlling my pressure enough (150-160/73). While taking amlodipine, I have experienced considerable loss of the sense of smell and taste. I have sudden bouts of faintness, loss of balance, insomnia, hot flashes, extra heart beats, and daily muscle cramps. I wake more frequently to urinate. I always feel drained, and don't have the desire or energy to do anything.

I do NOT smell cigarette smoke - I hardly smell or taste anything! I do NOT live alone, I have many friends and a loving family.

I had taken 5mg amlodipine for years along with 37.5 mg diazide for fluid retention. Recently, my amlodipine was increased to 10 mg and now I am experiencing severe swelling in my lower legs feet and ankles. My description of my feet are that they look like turtles with five heads. I am wondering if the 10 mg is causing the problem. haven't discussed it with my doctor yet.

I took lisinopril for about 6 years and suffered massive hair loss. I had always had a thick head of hair with no family history of baldness. It was strange in that it was like your situation. I started losing my eyebrows and the hair at the temples. I stopped the lisinopril when I suffered kidney failure. Now my doctor wants me to start Amlodipine 5 mg to help my BP. I do have a problem taking some drugs and I hope I will not be back here telling you a bad experience. I think I will start slowly with a half a pill to see what my body says.

I was prescribed 5mg of amlodipine besylate about 3 years ago for slightly elevated blood pressure.The only negative that I noticed was that if I missed a day or two I would have bad headaches and some chest pain. Mentioned this to my doctor and he seemed to dismiss it (no real response). June of 2011 had a routine physical and was told that I was in great health, however, when my bloodwork came back two days later I was informed that I had diabetes. No family history of diabetes at all, I'm 6'1" and weighed 225 at that time and relatively active. Diabetes was a shocker.

At about the same time I had noticed a tingling sensation in my feet. Doctor again dismissed it when I would ask him about the numbness. I lost 35 lbs. and seem to have my diabetes under control with no medications, but the numbness (peripheral neuropathy) has persisted and seems to be a little worse. Even after two visits to a neurologist, I still have no answers. After a restless night of tingling feet I decided to check out the side effects of my bp meds and have been surprised at the many comments regarding this drug. Is there any actual evidence that amlodipine can cause neuropathy and what is its relationship with diabetes?

Just got out of the hospital after being in around three days. Had to be rushed to ER by ambulance after almost dying from reaction to generic Norvasc. Starting having severe chest pain, started taking glycerin for that and my blood pressure dropped so low, I was losing consciousness. Had all kinds of heart tests done while there, the specialist took me off generic norvasc because I had all the symptoms, chest pain, throat pain, leg swelling and pain, nausea. I had been on Norvasc for years and the veterans administration switched it to the generic. That was one scary experience, don't know why the doctors do guinea pig testing on people.

Have just looked down site as I've been on Amalodopine 5 mg for three months. My BP is very erratic and has hit very high spots (220/112) Doctor now has added beta blocker bisoprolol 2.5mg. Am concerned about combinations. My heart rate can be in the high fifties (at rest). Also concerned that doctor has done no ECG or even listened to my heart through stethoscope. Thinking of quitting the amalodopine and not starting the beta blocker. BIG thanks to Sabrina for her positive comments. I am enrolled to do mindfulness meditation over the first weekend of June and also want to work with visualizations and acupuncture. Any comments (positive ones!) from anyone on combined beta blocker and calcium channel blocker would nonetheless be welcome. Warm wishes to you all.

Thank you, Morag. I do hope you find what does work for you. I just had an acupuncture session earlier today and it was great! I've been very stressed out for the past few weeks and hadn't been getting acupuncture done (just been too busy) and it was such a great, relaxing session. I hope you find a great acupuncturist and can get the results you need! Also, exercise is vitally important to keeping the BP down. If you do nothing else, walk, walk, walk! Oh, yeah, and eating fish and/or taking Omega 3 is great for your arteries...helps to keep the elasticity in them. : ) Take care and best wishes!

Norvasc cigarette smoke smell illusion.
I too noticed a higher sense of smell and false smell of smoke.
I too live in a smoke free home.

Dosage: 1 octagon a day, generic.

Side note. I don't smell the smoke anymore... just two or three times.
I believe that stressers, in association with norvasc, are responsible for the smoke effect. I also notice a dry, stale water smell too. PS. I am on no other drugs. Because these smells are common in our environments, I believe they are often rationalized away in our minds. Thanks again to the internet for bringing these things to the light.
Grant
The 10 cent physiologist

Whats you're 2 scents? ;-)

my age 38 and sometime my blood pressure 160/100 or 150/90 also heart beat is fast

any body advise me please thanks you

I just started taking Amlodipine 10mg substitution for (norvasc) 10mg....greenstone ...this is my first day and I'm very scared with all the side effects I see on this website... my question is can you help me with this diet you were talking about I would rather go that route....please help

I would like to add that, after tapering off my beta blocker (no, the good "dr" didn't tell me to, I had to figure it out , when my bp skyrocketed to 180/120 and he told me to "yeah, go ahead an take a half twice a day for awhile with the half a calcium channel blockers and see what happens"!!) to a calcium channel blocker... my gums started swelling and when I would eat something cold, my cheeks would get so numb that I kept accidentally "biting" them? and, weirdest of all, we had recently changed our kitchen faucet, so, I naturally associated the odd taste in my water with the faucet!

We mailed it back to Moen, who replaced it, and finally drank the water through the pipes --the taste was still there! My boyfriend never tasted it... then, I had a glass of wine, a familiar brand, and it tasted metallic... then, I looked on the internet.. I cannot take diuretics (I have gout, and cannot) and I developed anaphylactic shock to lisinopril... beta blockers make me so depressed, I am beginning to wish I had never been Dx with hbp and had just kicked off...

Mellissa you are saying your husband was very attracted to you. You noticed a difference in his moods after he started taking amlodipine? Lately my husband seems like he is in a fog. Has very little to say. He is extremely moody and exhausted all the time. Did not think it was a side effect from the meds until I started doing research. Thanks for your comment.

When I was placed on norvasc I started feeling really tired and even after ten hours of sleep I could barely drag myself out of bed. I called the doctor and he said give my body time to become accustomed to the new medicine. Then the depression set in so 6 months later I had another appointment and mentioned the depression and that I always feel tired and could sleep all day. His response was since I was retired I could afford to take catnaps when I felt like it. He also said that he never heard anyone mentioning depression as a side effect and asked if I wanted a prescription for an anti-depressant which I declined.

I think doctors don't really know anything about health issues except prescribing drugs to mask the symptoms. Doctors are good for mending broken bones and that's it. Their protocol is to mask the symptoms but never cure the patient. Its like putting black tape over your "check engine" light so you don't see it and think the problem has been solved.

I have seen references to peripheral neuropathy as a side effect but I have been advised to lower my blood sugar and seek carpel tunnel surgery. My blood sugar is lower and the nerve conduction study shows the carpet tunnel is only moderately limited.

I continue to have severe pain in my right hand, numbness in all four extremities that seriously affects my sleep. Have tried magnesium creams, vinegar dips, B-1, B-12, Voltarin, Advil, wrist braces ... only voltarin and the braces were even helpful.

I need some sleep. Any ideas? What kind of doctor would you go to?