Blood Pressure Changes with ADHD Medications
A study in the Feb. 05 issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (Wilens TE, Hammernes PG, Biederman J, Kwon A, Spencer TJ, Clark S, Scott M, Pdolski A, Dittlerline JW, Morris MC, Moore H) analyzed the effects of stimulants and nonstimulants on blood pressure and heart rate.
The subjects were adults with a mean age of 39 +/- 9 years. While there is little evidence of significant blood pressure changes in children treated with ADHD medications, less is known about adults who are at a higher risk because of underlying medical problems, and because the average age of diagnosis in adults is 35 - 40 years, a common time for problems with high blood pressure to first present.
Drug treatment for both stimulants and nonstimulants were associated with minor, but statistically significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Medications tested included bupropion (Wellbutrin), desipramine (Norpramin), amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine), and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate CD). Other studies of atomoxetine (Strattera) have shown similar changes. There was little difference between the different medications and their effects on blood pressure and heart rate. Some subjects receiving a placebo also had changes in blood pressure and heart rate, demonstrating the risk of developing high blood pressure in this age group.
This study emphasized the need for baseline and periodic monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate in adults receiving medications for ADHD. Blood pressure measurements over 140/90 might require a lowering or discontinuation of ADD medications, or the addition of a high blood pressure medication.
Related Topics: Hypertension: Medications Related to Hypertension, ADHD Medications Chart
Technorati Tags: ADHD, hypertension, high blood pressure, ADHD medications
The subjects were adults with a mean age of 39 +/- 9 years. While there is little evidence of significant blood pressure changes in children treated with ADHD medications, less is known about adults who are at a higher risk because of underlying medical problems, and because the average age of diagnosis in adults is 35 - 40 years, a common time for problems with high blood pressure to first present.
Drug treatment for both stimulants and nonstimulants were associated with minor, but statistically significant changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Medications tested included bupropion (Wellbutrin), desipramine (Norpramin), amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine), and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate CD). Other studies of atomoxetine (Strattera) have shown similar changes. There was little difference between the different medications and their effects on blood pressure and heart rate. Some subjects receiving a placebo also had changes in blood pressure and heart rate, demonstrating the risk of developing high blood pressure in this age group.
This study emphasized the need for baseline and periodic monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate in adults receiving medications for ADHD. Blood pressure measurements over 140/90 might require a lowering or discontinuation of ADD medications, or the addition of a high blood pressure medication.
Related Topics: Hypertension: Medications Related to Hypertension, ADHD Medications Chart
Technorati Tags: ADHD, hypertension, high blood pressure, ADHD medications
3 Comments:
After taking Ritalin for 6 years, my son developed depression and, later tics. He looked like a robot when under the influence of the drug. He had severe headaches and trouble with sleep. He now has chronic severe depression. I believe Ritalin changed his brain chemistry.He is now 38 years old and doesn't really enjoy life. Sad!
What is sad is blaming a choice so far in the past for a problem now. The choice to treat him with Ritalin was most likely in response to a real problem, and was the right decision at the time. If he had a big enough problem to seek psychological counseling when he was diagnosed with ADD it is likely that you have just witnessed his problem grow and morph over the years. I hope he finds what he needs to make him happy.
While I deeply sympathize with the problems Lois' son has experienced, blaming them on methylphenidate is a classic post hoc - propter hoc fallacy. A lot of things happen in each person's life, and assigning all the negative states to a single medication may be comforting in some way, but may also predispose people to avoid other treatments that might now be appropriate. Look, my son took Ritalin for much of his childhood because of ADHD. Now he's a doctoral candidate at UPenn and is wonderfully happy. Should I assign all of his current state to the Ritalin? Obviously not. One other comment. Folks with ADHD often suffer from comorbidity with other mental issues, especially mood disorders. This happens whether or not they're medicated. And ADHD kids who don't get treatment are more likely to experience negative life outcomes. Nothing's perfect, it's all a balancing act.
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