Based on NIH | Is fatigue a common side effect of amlodipine, and when should I seek medical advice about it?

Amlodipine can cause fatigue in some people, but it is generally considered an infrequent and mild side effect. In clinical trials, fatigue occurred in about 4.5% of people taking amlodipine compared with 2.8% on placebo, suggesting a small but real increase linked to the medication. ^[1] Drowsiness (somnolence) was also reported at low rates (about 1.4% with amlodipine vs 0.6% with placebo). ^[2]

How common is fatigue on amlodipine?

• Reported frequency: In placebo‑controlled studies, fatigue was reported in ~4.5% on amlodipine vs ~2.8% on placebo. ^[1] This places fatigue among the less common side effects (greater than 1% but not among the most frequent like swelling). ^[2]
• Context with other side effects: Amlodipine’s most prominent side effect is peripheral edema (leg/ankle swelling), while symptoms like nausea and somnolence occur at lower rates. Overall, amlodipine’s safety profile is considered favorable compared with several other blood pressure medicines. ^[3]

Quick reference table

Adverse effect	Amlodipine (%)	Placebo (%)	Takeaway
Fatigue	4.5	2.8	Small increase vs placebo. [1]
Somnolence (drowsiness)	1.4	0.6	Uncommon but reported. [2]
Nausea	2.9	1.9	Mild increase vs placebo. [2]

Why might amlodipine cause fatigue?

Amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) relaxes blood vessels, lowering blood pressure. If blood pressure drops faster than your body adapts, you may feel tired, light‑headed, or drowsy. ^[4] Fluid shifts from vasodilation can also contribute to feelings of sluggishness, often alongside ankle swelling. ^[4] Despite these possibilities, most people tolerate amlodipine well and severe side effects are uncommon compared with several alternatives. ^[3]

When to monitor vs when to seek medical advice

• Reasonable to monitor at home if:
  • Fatigue is mild, started soon after beginning amlodipine or a dose change, and is improving over 1–2 weeks. Many non-dangerous medication side effects lessen as your body adjusts. ^[3]
• Contact your clinician promptly if:
  • Fatigue is persistent (more than 2–3 weeks), worsening, or interferes with daily activities. ^[1]
  • You also notice ankle or leg swelling, shortness of breath, or rapid weight gain, which can indicate significant fluid retention from vasodilation. ^[4]
  • You experience dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or a very slow or fast heartbeat. ^[4]
  • You recently increased your dose (e.g., to 10 mg) and symptoms escalated, as some side effects can be dose‑related. ^[2]

Practical steps you can try

• Check blood pressure at home: If readings are lower than your target or you feel light‑headed when standing, discuss whether timing or dose adjustments could help. Amlodipine has a long action, so taking it in the evening sometimes reduces daytime tiredness for some people. ^[4]
• Hydration and pacing: Gentle hydration, slow position changes, and light activity can help counter feelings of sluggishness while your body adapts. If swelling is present, leg elevation and salt moderation may help, but persistent edema warrants a medication review. ^[4]
• Medication review: If fatigue remains troublesome, your clinician may consider lowering the dose, switching within the same class, or changing to another blood pressure class. Amlodipine generally has a favorable safety profile in comparison with some alternatives, but individual response varies. ^[3]

Bottom line

• Fatigue with amlodipine occurs in a minority of users (about 4–5%), slightly more than with placebo, and is usually mild. ^[1] Most people tolerate the medicine well, but persistent, worsening, or function‑limiting fatigue especially with swelling, dizziness, or shortness of breath deserves medical review. ^{[3] [4]}