Amlodipine reduces blood pressure and headache frequency in cocaine-dependent outpatients.
Blood pressure and headache frequency were evaluated in normotensive male and female cocaine-dependent patients (N=43) participating in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of amlodipine for the treatment of cocaine dependence. Amlodipine produced a significant reduction in both systolic (p=0.04) and diastolic (p=0.01) blood pressures without producing dizziness or faintness. Placebo subjects had about three times the frequency of headaches compared to the amlodipine-treated subjects (p=0.004). The high frequency of headaches reported by cocaine-dependent individuals was significantly reduced by amlodipine and may reflect improved cerebrovascular tone.
Malcolm
Robert
R
Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. malcolmr@musc.edu
Liao
Jason
J
Michel
Melissa
M
Cochran
Kristina
K
Pye
Wesley
W
Yeager
Derik
D
Halushka
Perry V
PV
D000328:Adult; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016012:Poisson Distribution
D017311:Amlodipine