The effect of felodipine on cold-induced digital vasospasm

Abstract

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.