The effect of felodipine on cold-induced digital vasospasm.
Felodipine, a calcium antagonist with pronounced vascular selectivity, was given to 10 patients with cold-induced, digital vasospasm. Placebo and increasing doses of felodipine (2.5, 5, and 10 mg b.i.d.) were given for 2 weeks each. There was a significant decrease in systemic, but not in digital, blood pressure and a significant increase in heart rate during felodipine treatment. The subjective rating of symptoms improved significantly on all doses. No significant effect on cold-induced digital vasospasm during local cooling to 15 and 10 degrees C was registered. Typical side effects of calcium-entry blockers were reported. Moreover, two postmenopausal women reported recurrence of menstrual bleeding and one woman reported vaginal hemorrhagic discharge during treatment. In conclusion, felodipine, although causing a significant, symptomatic relief, had no significant effect on cold-induced digital vasospasm when objective measures were used.
Nilsson
H
H
Department of Internal Medicine, Fagersta Hospital, Sweden.
Blychert
E
E
Jonasson
T
T
Leppert
J
J
Ringqvist
I
I
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003080:Cold Temperature; D015736:Felodipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D015736:Felodipine