Wellness

[FLgardener]

I take only 3 prescribed meds, nifedipine 90mg timed-released being one of them. I have been taking bp meds for 35 yrs. No tests have ever revealed a specific bp trigger for my body.

At 70, I think I am suffering several side effects from this drug. Just a few here, there may be more:

Acid reflux

Lower leg/ankle/foot edema

Eyeball pain

Insomnia

I rarely take issues to my primary care dr., instead preferring to keep myself the healthiest I can be through diet, exercise and for want of better wording--mental control.

What are your experiences with this drug, and do you know of a generalized bp med without these side effects? 

I used to take lisinopril (Zestril), and I have wondered about  trying it again. It seemed to have fewer noticeable side effects, but I realize age is now an important factor.

[Kachina624]

I think this is a situation you need to discuss with your doctor.

[FLgardener]

@Kachina624 --

Oh, yeah, I will. I was just curious about side effects others have considered may be side effects of nifedipine. Thanks.

[Kachina624]

I once briefly took Procardia which is the brand name of your drug.  I had to go off of it due to bad edema.  There are dozens of blood pressure drugs, finding the right one takes trial and error.  Many have unpleasant side effects.

[Montana]

@FLgardener 

Here is a link to comments on askapatient.com by people about the side effects of Nifedipine:

https://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=72409&name=NIFEDIPINE

[Shelbelle]

My elderly mother took it for years until she passed away at 94. Her ankles were always swollen, and her cardio doc always said it was a perfectly normal side effect. 

[FLgardener]

Thanks for the responses. I keep myself fit and healthy, and am not willing to go around with edema in my ankles and feet. Regular use of compression socks gives only temporary relief.

Perhaps this is a little vain, but it is a very bothersome and unsightly issue for me. 

[Shelbelle]

---

@FLgardener wrote:

Thanks for the responses. I keep myself fit and healthy, and am not willing to go around with edema in my ankles and feet. Regular use of compression socks gives only temporary relief.

Perhaps this is a little vain, but it is a very bothersome and unsightly issue for me. 

---

Ask your doc to switch you to a different med, I take Metroprolol ER 50 mg, no side effects. 

[twinkies]

linsinipril has been known to cause heart attacks in those over 65 years of age and seems to be happening to men more than women. 

cathy from ma

[deja vu]

It's great you only have the 3 meds to take...I wish I was that lucky.

I can only speak to the only one I've ever taken, and on it for a bit over 20 yrs.. 

Atenolol, generic for Tenormin... oh also HCTZ abbr. it's a low dose fluid pill.

I'm very hyper sensitive to medications, don't like them either... no problems so far, except when my pain spikes...best of luck.