Effect of Diazepam on 24-Hour Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Healthy Young Volunteers

Pharmacology. 2018;101(1-2):86-91. doi: 10.1159/000481665. Epub 2017 Oct 31.

Abstract

Aim: To assess the effects of evening chronic administration of diazepam on 24-h blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in healthy young adults.

Methods: This randomized double blind, cross-over study evaluated the effects of diazepam 5 mg or placebo, both ingested in the evening, on 24-h ambulatory BP and HR in healthy subjects aged 21-30.

Results: A total of 30 subjects were included in the analysis. At the end of 4-week diazepam intake, an increase in 24-h HR mean values was found (+5.2 beats/min, p < 0.05). Analysis of subperiods showed that diazepam produced a 10.1% increase in night-time HR (+6.1 beats/min, p < 0.01) without affecting BP. A significant HR rise (+4.9 beats/min, p < 0.05) and SBP reduction (-3.8 mm Hg, p < 0.05) were observed in the morning hours. The HR increase persisted in day-time hours (+4.6 beats/min, p < 0.05), while BP values resulted unaffected.

Conclusions: In healthy subjects, diazepam taken as a hypnotic agent induces a significant HR increase, possibly mediated by a decrease in vagal tone. This effect might be of clinical relevance due to the role that HR plays as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

Keywords: Diazepam; Healthy volunteers; Heart rate; Twenty-four hour blood pressure.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Diazepam / pharmacology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Heart Rate / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Diazepam