Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology

Psychopharmacology Aripiprazole induced hypertension: a case report

Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology 2013; 23: Supplement S184-S184
Read: 390 Published: 20 March 2021

Hypotension is a known effect of atypical antipsychotics. However, there is little information on acute hypertension resulting from antipsychotic drugs. Aripiprazole is a potent partial dopamine D2 agonist, a serotonin 5-HT1A agonist and a 5-HT2A antagonist. It also displays high affinity for the ?-1B, -2A, -2C and ß1, -2 adrenergic receptors. Many studies underline the role of ?-1A adrenergic receptors in malignant hypertension. Here we present a case of a 38-years old male patient with psychotic depression. Aripiprazole was initiated at 10 mg/d and 36 hours after the first dose the patient complained of headache and palpitation. His physical examination revealed that he developed a hypertensive crisis with arterial hypertension (170/95 mmHg) and tachycardia (118 beats/minute). His blood pressure returned to normal 3 days after the interruption of aripiprazole. Although the mechanism underlying the rise in blood pressure remains unclear, careful monitoring of blood pressure variations when administering aripiprazole to patients previously treated for high blood pressure is necessary.

EISSN 2475-0581