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

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. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.