Amlodipine reduces blood pressure and headache frequency in cocaine-dependent outpatients

J Psychoactive Drugs. 2002 Oct-Dec;34(4):415-9. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2002.10399983.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amlodipine / pharmacology*
  • Amlodipine / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / complications
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / physiopathology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Headache / complications
  • Headache / drug therapy*
  • Headache / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outpatients / statistics & numerical data
  • Poisson Distribution

Substances

  • Amlodipine