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Amlodipine reduces blood pressure and headache frequency in cocaine-dependent outpatients
Robert Malcolm1, Jason Liao, Melissa Michel
1Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. malcolmr@musc.edu
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.