title: Decreased rectal body temperature induced by different vasodilatory drugs.
abstract: In three patients with either hypertension or Raynaud's phenomenon who were treated with different types of vasodilatory drugs, i.e. prazosin, nifedipine and prostacyclin, a decrease in rectal body temperature was measured. Overt hypothermia occurred in one patient. Because we found a pronounced improvement of arteriovenous shunt flow within the skin vessels in two of these patients, increased heat loss seems the most reasonable explanation for the observed decrease in body temperature. These observations point to an adverse effect of vasodilatory drugs. One should be aware of this possibility in patients being treated with these drugs who have complaints suggestive of hypothermia.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wollersheim
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berden
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thien
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D011464:Epoprostenol; D009543:Nifedipine; D011224:Prazosin