Research article summary (published 30 Jan 2005):

Blood pressure changes associated with medication treatment of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of medications used in the treatment of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on blood pressure and pulse. METHOD: Subjects were those with DSM-III-R-/DSM-IV-diagnosed ADHD enrolled in placebo-controlled studies of 5 different medications for ADHD. Cardiovascular data from these studies of both stimulants (methylphenidate, amphetamine compounds, pemoline) and nonstimulants (bupropion, desipramine) were reanalyzed for baseline-to-endpoint active-treatment or placebo effects on blood pressure and heart rate. RESULTS: There were 125 subjects with a mean +/- SD age of 39 +/- 9 years. In general, active drug treatment for ADHD compared to baseline was associated with several statistically significant changes in systolic blood pressure (bupropion: +5.9 mm Hg, p < .05 by paired t test; amphetamine: +5.4 mm Hg, p < .05), diastolic blood pressure (desipramine: +7.1 mm Hg, p < .05), and heart rate (bupropion: +6.9 mm Hg, p < .05; amphetamine: +7.3 mm Hg, p < .05; methylphenidate: +4.5 mm Hg, p < .05). New-onset cases of systolic or diastolic hypertension (blood pressure > or = 140/90) were recorded in 8% (7/89) of placebo-treated subjects and 10% (9/89) of subjects receiving active medication, regardless of the class (stimulant, nonstimulant). CONCLUSION: Both stimulant and nonstimulant catecholaminergic medications used in adults with ADHD are associated with minor, but statistically significant, changes in heart rate and blood pressure that were often observed in those receiving placebo. Given the minor pressor and chronotropic effect of these medications, adults with ADHD should have their blood pressure and heart rate checked at baseline and periodically during treatment.

Author information

Author/s: Wilens, Timothy E (TE); Hammerness, Paul G (PG); Biederman, Joseph (J); Kwon, Anne (A); Spencer, Thomas J (TJ); Clark, Sarah (S); Scott, Megan (M); Podolski, Amy (A); Ditterline, Jeffrey W (JW); Morris, Matthew C (MC); Moore, Hadley (H);

Affiliation: Clinical Research Program in Pediatric Psychopharmacology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. twilens(-atsign-)partners.org

Grants: DA 14419 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS) ; R01 DA 11929 (Agency:NIDA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2005-Feb; vol 66 (issue 2) : pp 253-9

Dates: Created 2005/02/11; Completed 2005/03/24; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 15705013, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Amphetamines - adverse effects; therapeutic use Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects; therapeutic use Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; physiopathology Blood Pressure - drug effects; physiology Bupropion - adverse effects; therapeutic use Central Nervous System Stimulants - adverse effects; therapeutic use Cross-Over Studies Desipramine - adverse effects; therapeutic use Female

Female Heart Rate - drug effects; physiology Humans Hypertension - chemically induced Male Methylphenidate - adverse effects; therapeutic use Middle Aged Pemoline - adverse effects; therapeutic use Placebos Practice Guidelines as Topic

Associated Chemicals: Amphetamines (0) ; Antidepressive Agents (0) ; Central Nervous System Stimulants (0) ; Placebos (0) ; Methylphenidate (113-45-1) ; Pemoline (2152-34-3) ; Bupropion (34841-39-9) ; Desipramine (50-47-5)

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