Severe hypertension induced by naloxone.
To evaluate the role of endogenous opioid peptides in regulating the blood pressure of hypertensive individuals, we administered the opiate antagonist, naloxone. One individual developed a severe hypertensive response, mean arterial pressure rising from a baseline of 107 mmHg to 147 mmHg 145 min after naloxone injection and infusion. After stopping naloxone, his blood pressure rapidly returned to baseline. Re-challenge with naloxone and clonidine resulted in a modest reduction of blood pressure in contrast to the profound hypotension induced by clonidine alone during a third session. Thus, endogenous opioids appear to regulate blood pressure in some hypertensive patients and opiate antagonists must be administered with caution to these individuals.
Levin
E R
ER
Sharp
B
B
Drayer
J I
JI
Weber
M A
MA
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D004723:Endorphins; D009270:Naloxone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D003000:Clonidine