12 Amlodipine Side Effects You Shouldn’t Ignore
Amlodipine is widely used for high blood pressure and angina, and most side effects are mild. The word “never” in headlines about this medicine is usually unnecessarily frightening.
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Watch for these symptoms:
Swollen ankles or feet — one of the most common effects. It is usually not dangerous, but persistent or troublesome swelling should be discussed with your clinician.
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Significant dizziness or light-headedness — may indicate that your blood pressure is too low.
Fainting — requires medical assessment, particularly if it is new.
New or worsening chest pain — seek urgent medical care, especially if the pain doesn’t settle within a few minutes.
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A very fast, pounding, or unusual heartbeat — palpitations can occur with amlodipine, but persistent symptoms deserve evaluation.
Severe or persistent abdominal pain — rare pancreatitis has been reported.
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Severe nausea or vomiting with abdominal pain — particularly concerning when combined with the symptom above.
Yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of the eyes — can indicate a liver problem and needs medical attention.
Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or face — could represent a serious allergic reaction.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing — especially with facial or throat swelling, is an emergency.
Blistering, peeling, or painful skin sores — rare but potentially serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported.
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Extreme weakness or unusual fatigue — fatigue is a recognized adverse effect, but significant or persistent weakness should be evaluated rather than automatically blamed on the medicine.
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What you should NOT do
Don’t stop amlodipine suddenly without speaking with your prescriber. It’s normally taken long term, and stopping it can allow blood pressure to rise again.
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If you’re experiencing ankle swelling, dizziness, headaches, flushing, palpitations, or fatigue, these are recognized side effects and don’t necessarily mean the drug is harming you. A doctor or pharmacist can decide whether they warrant a dose adjustment or a different medication.
If you currently have severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, or swelling of your tongue/throat, seek emergency medical care now.
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