What Are the Most Common Felodipine Side Effects?

Felodipine is often effective at treating high blood pressure but, like many medications, it comes with some side effects. For instance, some felodipine side effects, including nausea, constipation and indigestion, affect the stomach. Other side effects involve the upper respiratory tract, including a runny nose and coughing and sneezing for no apparent reason. Other side effects are considered serious and should be reported to a doctor immediately. Extreme changes in blood pressure or blood sugar, chest pain and bloating are all serious problems that need to be treated right away.

Some felodipine side effects are considered minor, and may barely be noticed by patients, who could attribute them to several other causes. For example, nausea may occur, sometimes followed by vomiting. Diarrhea and constipation are also possible, and both are usually accompanied by abdominal pain. Indigestion and acid reflux are considered rather common felodipine side effects, as well. These issues rarely need to be treated unless they become extreme, such as nonstop vomiting or diarrhea, but they should be mentioned to a doctor at the next appointment.

Patients may also experience upper respiratory tract irritation when taking felodipine for high blood pressure. This may lead them to believe they have a cold but, unlike a common cold, the symptoms do not usually go away within days when they are caused by felodipine. A runny nose, common coughing fits and frequent sneezing are all considered normal felodipine side effects. Some people also become drowsy and dizzy and may find it hard to sleep, leading them to continually think they have a cold. Patients are encouraged to report these symptoms to a doctor as soon as possible, because a physician may be able to tell them whether they are, in fact, the result of a cold or just felodipine side effects.

Some symptoms should not be taken lightly and need to be reported right away so the patient can be treated and switched to a different medication for high blood pressure. One example includes chest pain and irregular heartbeat, though high blood sugar is also a worrisome symptom. While felodipine is meant to lower the blood pressure, symptoms that include dizziness and fainting are signs that the blood pressure has become too low, which can be just as troubling as hypertension. Some patients also notice sudden weight gain, water retention and enlargement of the male breast tissue, all of which are serious felodipine side effects that need to be treated.