Blood pressure meds making neuropathy worse?

I questioned this very same subject on Grok.com. I also have the symptom of upper body tremors or spasms. I have not tried stopping the medication to see what happens. Keep us posted if you find out anything. They mostly said it's not likely, but they did say this? What Official Sources and Labeling Say:

The FDA prescribing information for Cozaar (losartan) lists "peripheral neuropathy" under post-marketing reports or adverse events reported with frequency not known (meaning it's very rare and not proven to be caused by the drug). It's mentioned alongside other nervous system effects like paresthesia (tingling/"pins and needles"), hypesthesia (reduced sensation), tremor, or ataxia, but these are uncommon or infrequent.
Major reliable sources like Drugs.com, Mayo Clinic, and NHS include paresthesia or tingling sensations as possible less common side effects, but full-blown peripheral neuropathy isn't highlighted as a typical or established risk.
Clinical trial data and reviews (e.g., StatPearls, Medical News Today) describe losartan as generally well-tolerated, with dizziness being the most consistent side effect, and no strong emphasis on neuropathy as a concern.

Key Context on Neuropathy Reports

Neuropathy is multifactorial—common causes include diabetes (which often coexists with hypertension), vitamin deficiencies, alcohol use, chemotherapy, infections, autoimmune conditions, or even uncontrolled high blood pressure itself damaging nerves over time.
In people with diabetes or prediabetes, studies actually suggest ARBs like losartan may help prevent or slow progression of diabetic neuropathy or related complications, rather than cause it. Some research shows losartan can reduce neuroinflammation or neuropathic pain in models of nerve injury or chemotherapy-induced neuropathy.
Rare anecdotal reports or patient forums mention tingling or neuropathy-like symptoms while on losartan, but these are not well-substantiated as drug-caused in most cases. Experts (e.g., in some Q&A sources) note that losartan is rarely linked to true peripheral neuropathy or impotence, and symptoms might stem from underlying conditions instead. I

Bottom Line
While it's theoretically possible for any medication to trigger rare neurological side effects in sensitive individuals, losartan is not recognized as a common or significant cause of neuropathy by medical authorities or large-scale data. If you're experiencing new or worsening symptoms like persistent tingling, numbness, burning pain, or weakness in your extremities:

Contact your doctor right away—they can evaluate whether it's related to losartan, your blood pressure control, weight loss changes, another medication, or a separate issue (e.g., B12 deficiency, which is common after major weight loss).
They might check nerve function, bloodwork, or consider switching to another BP med if needed.

I’m 92 and live with PN. I went from Gabapentin to another (forget the name) to Lyrica and there I can manage. Feet will get numb with associated light pain at end of day. I do Epsom bath and STEN but minimum relief. I use magnesium cream with hemp which feels good but no long term effects so far. But I keep on ‘trucking’ as they say I walk mostly without a cane. I’m super careful not to fall. That’s a killer.

@vkad You are a real warrior, my friend. I am a child at 78. I got that dreaded PN about a year and a half ago. I had not even heard of it. It has become a real pin, so to speak. I hope you keep on truckin for many more years. As a friend once told me, "Gettin old ain't for wimps".

Hello,

Has anyone ever heard or seen any reliable evidence that there might be a side-effect connection between Amlodipine and PN? I'm going to ask my PCP this same question later today, but when I saw this topic, I thought I'd ask here, too, in case any other Connect PNers have had experience, pro or con, with Amlodipine.

Ray (@ray666)

I just stopped my cholesterol meds because I am frightened about how quickly I am losing function in my legs. I feel as if I am on my own trying to figure out what is going on with my body. My legs are so weak I have trouble standing up for more than minutes. I’ve been told there is no treatment for neuropathy. I am starting acupuncture today - my idea, not referred by doctor. The only help through this whole ordeal is talking to other people going through the same thing. I see that while there are commonalities each case is unique.

Hi Ray @ray666, I don't have any experience with Amlodipine although I do take other blood pressure meds but I did find a connection of sorts but not very common if you haven't seen them.
-- Severe neuromuscular complications possibly associated with amlodipine:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9825082/
-- Side effects of amlodipine oral tablets:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drugs-amlodipine-tablet-side-effects

Good morning, phyllisq (@phyllisq)

Some questions almost seem unanswerable. I posted a new discussion only yesterday asking if any had ever found a credible link between the hypertension med Amlodipine and poor balance due to PN. Because my blood pressure started doing funny things during the holidays, my PCP added a 5 mg dose of Amlodipine to the 25 mg of Losartan I already take. It seems right about that same time (the addition of the Amlodipine) my PN balance got a little worse, not dramatically worse, just a little. I have PT this morning. I plan to ask my therapist if he's ever heard of a connection. Later, I'm going to ask my PCP the same question. I imagine you can see why your post caught my attention.

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)

Hi, John (@johnbishop)

First, how are you feeling? How's your recovery going?

Thank you for these links! I'll check them out later this morning. I know that my PN can progress, and that progression is often just the nature of the disease. I'm prepared to accept that. At the same time, however, I find the coincidence – the adding of Amlodipine to my daily meds, and a slight if detectable worsening of my balance – at least worth asking about.

I wish you a fine Tuesday, John!
Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 - Hi Ray! Happy Tuesday to you also my friend! My fall recovery is going well. My eye still has a bruise under and around the edge but it's getting lighter. The scar is actually hard to see in the old man face wrinkles and looks to be healing really well. I just keep a little Vaseline on it daily like the PA at the ER that stitched me up recommended. I'm always concerned about new meds and looking up any possible side effects fearing the worse. Sometimes it makes it difficult to weigh the benefits with the risks. The longer I live I seem to feel like having a glass that is half full feels much better than having one that is half empty. 🙃

Hoping your day is a good one! I think I'm going to venture outside and shovel the snow off our deck (not a big job) and get a little exercise in and test my heated vest to make sure it's still working 🙂

@ray666
Ray,
Yes some of the drugs that has caused my problems include Amlodipine and most recently Nebivolol. The increase in pain and numbness in the feet coincide to me restarting BP Meds every time. Fun choice high blood pressure or increased neuropathy.