Effects of operationally effective doses of dextroamphetamine on heart rates and blood pressures of army aviators.
The cardiovascular effects of 30 mg of dextroamphetamine, given in divided 10-mg doses at midnight, 4 a.m., and 8 a.m. during a sustained-operations scenario, were explored. Blood pressures and heart rates of male and female UH-60 pilots were measured during two periods of continuous wakefulness in which subjects received dextroamphetamine and placebo. Persistent elevations in heart rates were observed from 2 hours after the second 10-mg dose of dextroamphetamine until the end of the day. Systolic blood pressures of males were elevated from 1 hour after the first 10-mg dose until 5 hours after the third 10-mg dose. Systolic blood pressures of females increased 1 hour after the third 10-mg dose of dextroamphetamine and remained high until 6 hours after the third 10-mg dose. Diastolic blood pressures in both genders showed a persistent elevation from 2 hours past the second 10-mg dose until 6 hours after the third 10-mg dose. These changes did not result in any clinically detectable adverse sequelae.
Caldwell
J A
JA
U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, AL 36362-0577, USA.
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D003913:Dextroamphetamine