A double-blind, randomized, crossover assessment of blood pressure following administration of avitriptan, sumatriptan, or placebo to patients with mild to moderate hypertension

We examined the effects of avitriptan, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 1-like (5HT(1) ) receptor agonist for the treatment of migraine, in patients with medicate d, controlled, mild to moderate hypertension relative to placebo and sumatr iptan. The study was randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, and 4- way crossover in design. Twenty patients (12M, 8F) participated. As require d by protocol, all were stable on medications for mild to moderate hyperten sion, with a supine diastolic blood pressure of <95 mmHg. Qualified subject s were randomized to receive oral administration of either 75 or 150 mg of avitriptan, 100 mg sumatriptan or placebo during the four treatment visits. Supine blood pressure and pulse rates were recorded up to 24h after drug a dministration. Avitriptan 150 mg significantly increased peak diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure compared to placebo an d sumatriptan 100 mg (p<0.05). Only those hypertensive patients receiving m edication for hypertension should receive anti-migraine medications, such a s avitriptan, which are 5HT(1)-like receptor agonists.