A new study suggests that amlodipine, a common blood pressure medication, could be repurposed to help manage ADHD symptoms.
Researchers from the University of Surrey and other international institutions found that amlodipine reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity, two core symptoms of ADHD.
The findings, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, suggest that this widely used drug could offer a safer alternative to current ADHD treatments.
The researchers tested five different drugs on rats bred to exhibit ADHD-like symptoms. Among them, only amlodipine significantly reduced hyperactivity.
To further test its effects, they conducted experiments on zebrafish, which share about 70% of their genes with humans and are commonly used in brain research.
- In zebrafish, amlodipine reduced both hyperactivity and impulsivity.
- The study showed that amlodipine crosses the blood-brain barrier, meaning it can directly influence brain function—a key requirement for treating ADHD.
The researchers then analyzed human genetic data and found that ADHD is linked to the same calcium channels in the brain that amlodipine targets. This suggests that amlodipine may act on a key brain pathway involved in ADHD.
Finally, by looking at UK-wide patient data, the researchers discovered that people taking amlodipine reported fewer mood swings and lower risk-taking behavior, further supporting its potential as an ADHD treatment.
Current ADHD medications, such as stimulants (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin) and non-stimulants, can be effective but often cause side effects such as:
- Loss of appetite
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Risk of misuse or addiction
Amlodipine, on the other hand, is already widely used to treat high blood pressure and is well-tolerated with fewer side effects. Because it is already approved for medical use, it could potentially be repurposed quickly, bringing relief to patients much faster than developing new ADHD drugs from scratch.
Not all patients respond well to current ADHD medications. In fact, about 25% of people with ADHD do not respond to any available treatments. This highlights the urgent need for new and safer alternatives.
According to Dr. Matthew Parker, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, “Repurposing amlodipine, a well-established blood pressure medication, offers a promising and swift pathway to address ADHD symptoms. Due to its existing approval and safety profile, amlodipine could be rapidly redeployed as a treatment option for ADHD.”
While the results are promising, more research is needed before amlodipine can be officially used for ADHD treatment. Future clinical trials will determine how effective it is in human patients, the best dosage, and whether it truly offers fewer side effects than current medications.
This study presents a potential breakthrough in ADHD treatment. Amlodipine, a common and safe blood pressure medication, has shown promising effects in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity in animal models.
If further research confirms its benefits, it could provide a new, safer option for people with ADHD, particularly for those who do not respond well to existing treatments.
The research findings can be found in Neuropsychopharmacology.
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