Common drug (Amlodipine) taken by millions may banish ADHD symptoms, study suggests

Sly Saint · Feb 25, 2025

A common blood pressure pill taken by millions of Britons could dramatically reduce one of the most debilitating symptoms of ADHD, promising research today suggested.

Currently available medication for the disorder comes with significant side effects including headaches, sleep disturbance and loss of appetite, with roughly a quarter of patients not responding well to any ADHD drugs.

But amlodipine, which is taken daily, may even work just as well to banish hyperactivity without any significant side effects, scientists believe.

The study on zebrafish — which share 70 per cent of their DNA with humans — found that amlodipine can combat nerve cells in the brain that fire too many electrical signals, triggering hyperactivity.

Experts who labelled the findings 'promising' said the drug could offer a new, safer treatment option for people with ADHD.

Dr Matthew Parker, study co-author and senior lecturer in neuroscience at the University of Surrey, said: 'Repurposing amlodipine, a well-established blood pressure medication, offers a promising and swift pathway to address ADHD symptoms.

'Our research indicates that, due to its existing approval and safety profile, amlodipine could be rapidly redeployed as a treatment option for ADHD, potentially providing relief to patients sooner than developing new medications.'

Amlodipine, which costs 4p per tablet, is given to patients with high blood pressure to prevent heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
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Common drug taken by millions may banish ADHD symptoms, study suggests

(side effects include fatigue/drowsiness, and gingival hyperplasia)

Nightsong · Feb 25, 2025

"Validation of L-type calcium channel blocker amlodipine as a novel ADHD treatment through cross-species analysis, drug-target Mendelian randomization, and clinical evidence from medical records":

Abstract said:

ADHD is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder that significantly affects life outcomes, and current treatments often have adverse side effects, high abuse potential, and a 25% non-response rate, highlighting the need for new therapeutics. This study investigates amlodipine, an L-type calcium channel blocker, as a potential foundation for developing a novel ADHD treatment by integrating findings from animal models and human genetic data.
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Amlodipine reduced hyperactivity in SHR rats and decreased both hyperactivity and impulsivity in adgrl3.1−/− zebrafish. It also crosses the blood-brain barrier, reducing telencephalic activation. Crucially, Mendelian Randomization analysis linked ADHD to genetic variations in L-type calcium channel subunits (α1-C; CACNA1C, β1; CACNB1, α2δ3; CACNA2D3) targeted by amlodipine, while polygenic risk score analysis showed symptom mitigation in individuals with high ADHD genetic liability. With its well-tolerated profile and efficacy across species, supported by genetic evidence, amlodipine shows potential to be refined and developed into a novel treatment for ADHD.
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Link | PDF (Neuropsychopharmacol., February 2025, open access)

Jonathan Edwards · Feb 25, 2025

Or it might make them worse, I guess.
Not sure why this is considered news.

Utsikt · Feb 25, 2025

It’s in zebrafish for crying out loud.

Wonko · Feb 25, 2025

Am I a zebrafish?

As I have been prescribed amlodipine for many years (ever since it was decided, by someone who I have not met, who has not met me, that beta blockers were inappropriate for type 2 diabetics) and I really just can't be bothered to swim anymore.

Who is prescribing things to fish anyway. Who is diagnosing fish with ADHD when it takes many years for a human to get such a diagnosis.

Somethings going wrong somewhere.

Starrynight · Feb 26, 2025

The study on zebrafish — which share 70 per cent of their DNA with humans — found that amlodipine can combat nerve cells in the brain that fire too many electrical signals, triggering hyperactivity.

I'm not sure if that is a cause of "hyperactivity", but I didn't think that was the commonly used explanation for ADHD symtoms?

Starrynight · Feb 26, 2025

Would this drug risk adversely lowering blood pressure in people who do not have hypertension?

EndME · Feb 26, 2025

Wonko said: ↑

Am I a zebrafish?
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That would be unfortunate, because according to this study it means you must have drowned by now.

Sly Saint · Mar 2, 2025

Blood Pressure Pill Shows Surprising Potential As ADHD Treatment
By University of Surrey February 26, 2025

Amlodipine, a blood pressure drug, shows promise in reducing ADHD
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development. It typically manifests in childhood and can continue into adulthood. The symptoms are divided into three categories: predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, and combined presentation, which includes both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
ADHD symptoms by targeting brain calcium channels.
Repurposing amlodipine, a widely used blood pressure medication, may help manage symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to an international study that included researchers from the University of Surrey.
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Genetic and Patient Data Support Amlodipine’s Potential
The researchers then turned to human genetic data and found that, remarkably, ADHD is linked to the same calcium channels in the brain as the targets for amlodipine. This suggests a potential target brain pathway for treatments. Finally, an analysis of UK-wide patient data showed that people taking amlodipine reported fewer mood swings and less risk-taking behavior, further supporting its potential as a new ADHD treatment.

Dr Matthew Parker, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, said: “Repurposing amlodipine, a well-established blood pressure medication, offers a promising and swift pathway to address ADHD symptoms. Our research indicates that, due to its existing approval and safety profile, amlodipine could be rapidly redeployed as a treatment option for ADHD, potentially providing relief to patients sooner than developing new medications.”

Current ADHD medications are effective but come with significant side effects: from appetite loss, high blood pressure, headaches, and sleep disturbance and carry a risk of misuse. Amlodipine, which is already widely used and well-tolerated, could offer a new, safer treatment option for ADHD.
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Blood Pressure Pill Shows Surprising Potential As ADHD Treatment

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