Nifedipine Dizziness: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Handle It

When you take nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. Also known as Adalat or Procardia, it works by relaxing your blood vessels so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. But for many people, one of the first things they notice isn’t better blood pressure—it’s dizziness. It’s not rare. In fact, up to 1 in 5 people on nifedipine report feeling lightheaded, especially when standing up fast. This isn’t just a nuisance—it can make you feel unsteady, increase fall risk, and even make you want to quit the medication altogether.

Why does this happen? Nifedipine lowers blood pressure quickly, and sometimes your body doesn’t adjust fast enough. When you stand up, gravity pulls blood down toward your legs, and if your blood vessels are too relaxed, your brain doesn’t get enough blood right away. That’s when the room spins. It’s not your inner ear—it’s your blood pressure dropping too hard, too fast. This is especially common in older adults, people on higher doses, or those taking other meds that also lower blood pressure, like diuretics or ACE inhibitors. If you’re on nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain and also take hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic often paired with blood pressure drugs or lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor used for hypertension, your risk goes up.

Here’s what actually helps: don’t stand up too fast. Sit on the edge of the bed for 30 seconds before standing. Drink enough water—dehydration makes dizziness worse. Avoid alcohol, which lowers blood pressure even more. If you’re dizzy after a dose, talk to your doctor about switching to a slow-release form. Extended-release nifedipine releases the drug more evenly, so your blood pressure doesn’t crash. Many people find the dizziness fades after a few weeks as their body adapts. But if it’s severe, or you’re fainting, don’t ignore it. Your doctor might lower your dose, switch you to another calcium channel blocker like amlodipine, or check for other causes like anemia or heart rhythm issues.

The posts below cover real cases and practical fixes. You’ll find guides on managing side effects of similar drugs like captopril and vortioxetine, how stress affects blood pressure, and what to do when meds cause unexpected symptoms. No fluff. Just clear, usable advice from people who’ve been there.