Blood pressure elevations in riluzole-treated patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Eur Neurol. 2000;43(4):224-7. doi: 10.1159/000008180.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / complications
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Riluzole / adverse effects*
  • Riluzole / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Riluzole