Blood pressure elevations in riluzole-treated patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether riluzole is associated with blood pressure elevations in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).


BACKGROUND
Though previously reported, hypertension is not considered a frequent adverse effect of riluzole.


METHODS
We reviewed data from 35 consecutive ALS patients on riluzole, and 88 randomly selected controls without and 20 patients with ALS who were not on riluzole.


RESULTS
A significantly greater number of ALS patients on riluzole had blood pressure elevations (28 of 35 patients) compared to controls (26 of 88, p<0.001; 8 of 20, p = 0. 007). Median systolic and diastolic blood pressures were both significantly higher in riluzole-treated (140/86 mm Hg) than in control patients without ALS (120/70 mm Hg, p<0.001). Systolic, but not diastolic, blood pressures were significantly higher in riluzole-treated patients than in controls with ALS (126 mm Hg, p = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Riluzole treatment may be associated with mild blood pressure elevations. Future prospective trials of riluzole should closely assess hypertension.
Scelsa
S N
SN
Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. SScelsa@BethIsrealNY.org
Khan
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019782:Riluzole / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D019782:Riluzole