Treatment of digital vasospastic disease with the calcium-entry blocker nifedipine.
Eight patients with vasospastic disease of the digital arteries were treated with the calcium-entry blocker nifedipine (capsules), 10 mg t.i.d. and 20 mg t.i.d. The degree of cold-induced digital vasospasm after local cooling of the finger to 15 and 10 degrees C, measured by strain-gauge technique, was significantly decreased by nifedipine. The degree of reduction was dose-dependent. All patients improved symptomatically. The side-effects of the drug were minor but became more prominent when the dose was increased. We conclude that nifedipine is a useful agent in the treatment of digital vasospastic disease.
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D001160:Arterioles / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000187:drug effects
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009543:Nifedipine