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 (5HT1) receptor agonist for the treatment of migraine, in patients with medicated, controlled, mild to moderate hypertension relative to placebo and sumatriptan. The study was randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, and 4-way crossover in design. Twenty patients (12M, 8F) participated. As required by protocol, all were stable on medications for mild to moderate hypertension, with a supine diastolic blood pressure of < 95 mmHg. Qualified subjects 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 24 h after drug administration. Avitriptan 150 mg significantly increased peak diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure compared to placebo and sumatriptan 100 mg (p < 0.05). Only those hypertensive patients receiving medication for hypertension should receive anti-migraine medications, such as avitriptan, which are 5HT1-like receptor agonists.