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 adv
erse effect of riluzole. Methods: We reviewed data from 35 consecutive ALS
patients on riluzole, and 88 randomly selected controls without and 20 pati
ents with ALS who were not on riluzole. Results: A significantly greater nu
mber of ALS patients on riluzole had blood pressure elevations (28 of 35 pa
tients) compared to controls (26 of 88, p < 0.001; 8 of 20, p = 0.007). Med
ian systolic and diastolic blood pressures were both significantly higher i
n 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 si
gnificantly higher in riluzole-treated patients than in controls with ALS (
126 mm Hg, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Riluzole treatment may be associated wi
th mild blood pressure elevations. Future prospective trials of riluzole sh
ould closely assess hypertension. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.