1. < Heart & Blood Health

Blood pressure meds and side effects

Posted by robal19 @robal19, Jun 5 10:44am

My doctor prescribed Lisinopril 40mg, Amlodipine 10mg and Metoprolol 50mg since March 2025. Side effects are for me diaharra every couple of days, ankle swelling, bad sleep and dreams, very sleepy during the day to the point I'm so tired, depressed and frustrated. Doctor says no real worry but I am to the point I'm thinking of cutting Metoprolol in half and maybe even Amlodipine in half. Doctor doesn't seem to help figure out how to fix my anxiety over the side effects.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart & Blood Health Support Group.

robal19 | @robal19 | 1 day ago
In reply to @deniseheart "Metopolol kept me in my bed all day. No energy, sleepy, no ambition. I now take..." + (show)
@deniseheart

Metopolol kept me in my bed all day. No energy, sleepy, no ambition. I now take Bystolic (name brand only due to acute medication allergies) at night and now I can go an entire day without a nap. Sometimes its the little things. 🙂

Jump to this post

I meant I took my Lisinopril at 6am. I also take Lovastatin at bedtime which I'm working on seeing if that could be causing a problem.

REPLY
mannism | @mannism | 1 day ago
In reply to @rainerhans "I am wondering why you have 3 different kind of medication? Is your blood pressure so..." + (show)
@rainerhans

I am wondering why you have 3 different kind of medication?
Is your blood pressure so high?
And why not higher Lisinopril instead of 2 additional?
I am just thinking loud.
I take Lisinopril 100 mg and my blood pressure is fine, no side effects.

Jump to this post

I wondered the same thing. A second opinion is needed.

REPLY
robal19 | @robal19 | 1 day ago
In reply to @dcody "Stomach cramps and diarrhea were not side effects of Amlodipine for me, Side effects of Amlodipine..." + (show)
@dcody

Stomach cramps and diarrhea were not side effects of Amlodipine for me, Side effects of Amlodipine were just the swelling mostly in my ankles and some light fatigue. I should mention that I was on Rosuvastatin at the same time, which was causing fairly severe myalgia, and so I was switched to Praluent and Carvedilol (6.25mg 2x day) instead. Drug combinations can sometimes have different side effects. I had been on Lisinopril for several years previously with no problems or side effects whatsoever, but switched to Losartan a few years ago. This new combination of Losartan and Carvedilol so far appears to be helping to keep my blood pressure down within the normal range with no significant side effects; however, I recently (just last week) had to increase the Losartan from 50mg to 100mg 2x day to reduce blood pressure from the 140-150/70 range. Now, I'm getting some readings as low as 111/70, which could go lower, so I might need to back off on the dose of one of these drugs in the future.

Jump to this post

Yes, the swelling in my ankles got worse last Friday and I felt it was time for me to get serious.

REPLY
robal19 | @robal19 | 1 day ago
In reply to @rainerhans "I am wondering why you have 3 different kind of medication? Is your blood pressure so..." + (show)
@rainerhans

I am wondering why you have 3 different kind of medication?
Is your blood pressure so high?
And why not higher Lisinopril instead of 2 additional?
I am just thinking loud.
I take Lisinopril 100 mg and my blood pressure is fine, no side effects.

Jump to this post

Yes all three were for bo. It had gotten to 188 when I went to the doctors in April and she up the dose of Amlodipine and prescribed the Metropine all for blood pressure. I was extremely sick with covid or flu and a UTI. I figured that's why my BP was so high.

REPLY
dcody | @dcody | 1 day ago
In reply to @dcody "I can tell you from my experience that Amlodipine can cause swelling in your ankles, feet,..." + (show)
@dcody

I can tell you from my experience that Amlodipine can cause swelling in your ankles, feet, and legs (edema). I had to switch to a beta blocker (Carvedilol) to help control blood pressure. Also, Losartan is a possible alternative to Lisinopril. I'll add, though a little off topic, that it can be very discouraging when you know that the side effects of medications that you are given to control blood pressure can make you feel more lethargic and cause soreness or muscle pain when you try to exercise. Diet and exercise (e.g. walking) can help control weight and blood pressure in a more natural way.

Jump to this post

Everyone is indeed different, however there are typical similarities among the majority of experiences with medications and medication interactions. I don't recall having had stomach cramps and diarrhea on amlodipine, but the ankle and sometimes leg and foot swelling were a problem. Also I began noticing discoloration in my ankles and calves. The less medications the better, but often one does not have a choice. I've also found that doctors are like everyone else, perhaps more educated and experienced, but with different opinions and recommendations for medications. I listen to them and generally follow their recommendations, but always verify. You're always your own best advocate.

REPLY
deniseheart | @deniseheart | 1 day ago
In reply to @robal19 "Your comment made me smile!! For me this past week, I gradually stopped Metropopal because it..." + (show)
@robal19

Your comment made me smile!! For me this past week, I gradually stopped Metropopal because it was just as you described. I am working on changing the time I take Amlodipine. I took Lovastatin today at 6am with my breakfast and didn't have any stomach or sleepy issues. I took my Amlodipine 3 hours later and no stomach or sleepiness for the last 2 hours. I am at the park now and walked for 45 minutes. I hope this is a good sign.

Jump to this post

I hope this is a good sign for you too!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.