Controlled Double-Blind Trial of Nifedipine in the Treatment of Raynaud's Phenomenon

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Abstract
Raynaud's phenomenon may cause severe digital pain and functional disability, particularly in patients with underlying connective-tissue disease. The treatment of this condition is difficult.1 Nifedipine, a slow calcium-channel antagonist, causes vascular smooth-muscle relaxation and relief of arterial vasospasm.2 3 4 Nifedipine-induced vasodilation has been shown to result in a fall in peripheral vascular resistance and an increase in peripheral blood flow.5 Nifedipine increases the skin blood flow by 50 to 150 per cent in normal persons and has also been shown in vitro to inhibit norepinephrine-induced vasospasm of rabbit and human peripheral arteries and veins.6 , 7 The calcium-channel blockers nifedipine and verapamil have . . .