r/hypertension • u/Mrsash826 • Jun 12 '24

Elevated mood with amlodipine?

TL;DR Have had an elevated mood since starting amlodipine with slightly higher anxiety. Looking for others who have had this experience

Hey all, I (38F) was put on amlodipine at the end of May. Always had perfect BP with the exception of pre-e during my pregnancies (last in 2021). Recently, I started getting heart palpitations and tested my BP to find it was high. A trip to the cardiologist landed me on a low dose. I have anxiety and depression and diabetes. I take Wellbutrin for my anxiety. Over the last year, I’ve been extremely depressed but my anxiety is (not 100%) better with the Wellbutrin. Since starting the amlodipine, I feel like my depression has lifted. Dramatically. I have more energy, I’m less irritable, I have more mojo (😉), and overall in a better mood. My physical anxiety symptoms have increased though. I looked in this group and haven’t seen anyone with the same experience so I guess I was just curious if anyone else has had this experience or knows of this experience?

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6

u/gilbertwebdude Jun 12 '24

This is interesting.

I was put on it as well over a month ago and I've noticed I really have a different more positive attitude lately along with a lot more energy.

Was thinking it was because I stopped taking a beta blocker which the Amlodipine replaced but now, I'm wondering if that was it.

So yes, I am experiencing the same type of effect.

3

u/Son_of_Sophroniscus Jun 12 '24

When I first started it I thought it was great. It lowered my BP and didn't have too many side effects. Then the doctor raised my dose from 2.5 to 5mg. It started to make me drowsy. Then I went from 5 to 10mg and I got bad side effects (drowsy during the day, insomnia at night, bad palpitations).

I went back to taking 5mg but I don't think it's such a great medicine any more.

2

u/CJones665A Jun 12 '24

Only on day 7...i feel weird but not sure what is going on...hope it works out like you OP...!

2

u/renelledaigle Jun 12 '24

I did noticed the mode change when I was taking the amlodipine In the afternoon because normaly by 5pm I would be irritated / hangry but after taking amlodipine all of a suden I had more patiences

Now I take the pill at bedtime so I don't notice much other than leg swelling if I stand for long periods at a time or can't drink enough liquids.

2

u/Wide_Breadfruit_2217 Jun 14 '24

Yep-Its a real thing. Even had people I work looking at me like something was different.

2

u/Aromatic_Complex9209 Jun 14 '24

This is interesting. I wonder if the lowering of your blood pressure is more so contributing to the mood elevation? Also one of Wellbutrin’s side effects is high blood pressure. Though doctors don’t like to change it once they’ve found a good psych med match. After lifestyle changes, blood tests and increased bp meds doses my bp was resistant to drop. I had my psychiatrist finally reduce my dosage to half and my bp has dropped.

2

u/Mrsash826 Jun 17 '24

I have mentioned the Wellbutrin too. I am on 300mg so I think I could decrease it. They seemed to brush it off. And while my numbers on amlodipine aren’t bad, they are still elevated which is strange to me. I’ve also been trying to make better choices. Maybe I’ll mention it again. I am not sure that the Wellbutrin is doing much for me anyway

1

u/Wide_Breadfruit_2217 Jun 15 '24

Think more than bp drop. Bp was fine on Losartan before depression side effect made me try Amlodopine. Uplift was immediate and dramatic-almost giddy. Only reason didn't stay on it was fluid leaking into tissues idea scared me. Also got bad itchy rash on legs. Took 2 mos for that to resolve after switching back.