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Query: UMLS:C0018681 (headache)
 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The effects of the calcium antagonist nifedipine on uterine activity and lower abdominal pain were studied during the first menstrual day in 10 women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea. Intrauterine pressure was recorded at three different levels by means of microtransducers. Nifedipine, 20 to 40 mg given orally, within 10 to 30 minutes effectively reduced the myometrial activity and relieved the pain. A moderate increase in heart rate, and a transient facial flushing were noted. In some patients receiving 30 or 40 mg this was associated with a slight headache. Otherwise no side effects were observed. It is suggested that calcium antagonists can be used to treat primary dysmenorrhoea and other conditions in which an inhibition of uterine activity is desirable.
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PMID:Effects of nifedipine on myometrial activity and lower abdominal pain in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. 62 24

Nifedipine antagonises influx of calcium through cell membrane slow channels, and sustained release formulations of the calcium channel blocker have been shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension and both stable and variant angina pectoris. Preliminary findings also indicate that these formulations are effective in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon and hypertension in pregnancy, and that they reduce the frequency of ischaemic episodes in some patients with silent myocardial ischaemia. The exact mechanism of action of nifedipine in all of these disorders has not been defined. However, its potent peripheral and coronary arterial dilator properties, together with improvements in oxygen supply/demand, are of particular importance. A major goal of sustained release therapy is to permit reductions in the frequency of nifedipine administration, preferably to once daily, and thus improve patient compliance. Two new once-daily formulations--the nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) and a fixed combination capsule comprising sustained release nifedipine 20 mg and atenolol 50 mg--have exhibited marked antihypertensive efficacy. The GITS preparation has also been used effectively in the treatment of stable angina pectoris, and both formulations appear to be well tolerated. Sustained release nifedipine formulations are generally better tolerated than their conventionally formulated counterparts, particularly with regard to reflex tachycardia. Adverse effects seem to be dose related, are mainly associated with the drug's potent vasodilatory action, and include headache, flushing and dizziness. Generally, these effects are mild to moderate in severity and transient, usually diminishing with continued treatment. Thus, sustained release nifedipine formulations are useful and established cardiovascular therapeutic agents which have demonstrable efficacy in various forms of angina, mild to moderate hypertension and Raynaud's phenomenon. Further, promising results shown by the nifedipine GITS formulation, with its advantage of once daily administration suggest that it is likely to become one of the preferred nifedipine formulations for the treatment of hypertension and the various forms of angina.
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PMID:Sustained release nifedipine formulations. An appraisal of their current uses and prospective roles in the treatment of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease and peripheral vascular disorders. 171 8

The aim of the present study was to ascertain, on the basis of single case statistics and time-series analysis, responder and non-responder rates for metoprolol, propranolol and nifedipine in migraine prophylaxis. In addition, an attempt was made to identify the dose relationship for the various drugs on headache parameters. In a double-blind dose-finding study, 58 patients were treated in five consecutive dosage steps each lasting 1-3 months. All patients kept a headache diary before, during and after treatment. Serum drug levels were also determined. The data were assessed by time-series analysis, as well as by multiple regression and analysis of variance. A significant improvement was noted in 54.4% of patients with migraine during treatment with metoprolol. The study did not confirm the high success rates in migraine prophylaxis of nifedipine and propranolol quoted in the literature. Administration of nifedipine led to an increase in migraine attacks in 71% of the patients. Nifedipine was of no value in the prophylaxis of migraine. Only 32% of patients showed a reduction in frequency of migraine attacks during administration of propranolol. The analysis of variance failed to show any significant difference between the responder rates for metoprolol and propranolol. Higher doses of propranolol and metoprolol were more effective. Multiple regression analysis explained a considerable part of variance for propranolol (but not for metoprolol) as a result of reduced intake of ergotamine preparations and analgesics. It can therefore be concluded that part of the prophylactic effect of propranolol is attributable to a reduction in the use of migraine medication.
Cephalalgia 1991 Feb
PMID:Responders and non-responders to metoprolol, propranolol and nifedipine treatment in migraine prophylaxis: a dose-range study based on time-series analysis. 203 69

Co-dergocrine mesylate (Cod), which inhibits norepinephrine secretion by stimulating presynaptic dopamine receptors, and has no known metabolic side effect, has an additive antihypertensive effect to that of Nifedipine (Nif). Plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine, renin activity and aldosterone have been measured after acute administration of Nif and Cod alone and in combination to 18 patients with a diastolic blood pressure greater than 105 mmHg in a cross-over, randomized, double-blind study. Every patient received 4 mg Cod then 20 mg Nif, placebo then 20 mg Nif and 4 mg Cod then placebo. The second treatment was always given 1 h after the first medication. Blood pressure was measured before and every 15 min during the study period. Blood for measurement of catecholamines, aldosterone and renin activity was collected before medication, 1 h after the first dose and 90 min after the second treatment. Blood pressure was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) where Cod preceded Nif. Cod caused a significant decrease in plasma norepinephrine from 293 to 202 pg.ml-1 and in epinephrine from 67 to 55 pg.ml-1. The Nif-induced increase in norepinephrine from a pre-treatment value of 293 pg.ml-1 with preceding Cod to 331 pg.ml-1 was much less than the increase with placebo as premedication, from 284 to 440 pg.ml-1. Nif caused an increase in renin activity but no increase in aldosterone. Nif-related side effects, such as flushing and headache, occurred in 6 patients of whom 5 had no received Cod as premedication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Co-dergocrine mesylate inhibits the increase in plasma catecholamines caused by nifedipine in essential hypertension. 207 34

The acute hypotensive effect of nifedipine was evaluated, and the possibility of its long-term use in hypertensives over 60 years of age was studied. Sublingual nifedipine in a dose of 20 mg was given to 28 patients, mean age 73.1 yrs, and blood pressure, heart rate, and plasma drug concentration were monitored at 15 min, and every 30 min thereafter for 3 hrs. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased at 15 min by 22.1 and 7.0 mmHg, respectively, reaching a maximal decrease two hours after drug administration. The decrease in blood pressure level did not correlate with nifedipine plasma concentration, but only with the initial systolic blood pressure. Long-term treatment with nifedipine was initiated in 60 patients, with 45 patients completing the study. Mean age was 66.2 years. An initial dose of 30 mg daily had to be increased to 60-80 mg in one-third of the patients. Monotherapy was not satisfactory in some patients. Blood pressure gradually decreased from 173/99 to 148/85 mmHg at three months, and to 141/84 mmHg at six months. Drug tolerance was fairly good. Nifedipine was withdrawn due to a considerable increase in heart rate in three patients and skin allergy in one. The most frequent adverse symptoms were: rash, headache, and leg oedema. Laboratory tests revealed no changes in urea and creatinine, and an increase in fasting glycaemia. Lipid parameters did not change significantly. These data proved that a single dose of 20 mg of nifedipine produced therapeutic plasma concentration of the drug and good hypotensive effect, positively correlating with initial systolic blood pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Acute and long-term treatment of hypertension with nifedipine in the elderly. 225 86

Thirty-two adult Nigerians with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension were included in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial matching nifedipine 20 mg twice daily with placebo for 6 weeks. Nifedipine caused very significant reductions of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all patients. Blood pressure fell from a mean of 181.3 (SE 3.9)/114.7 (SE 2.4) to 122.8 (SE 1.9)/79.4 (SE 1.6). Mean arterial pressure fell from a mean of 136.75 (SE -2.2) to 94.19 (SE -1.39). Polyuria was a common side effect in six of the 16 patients who received nifedipine. One additional patient developed transient occipital headache. Nifedipine monotherapy would appear to be an effective first-line drug in the management of essential hypertension in adult blacks.
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PMID:Monotherapy with nifedipine for essential hypertension in adult blacks. 242 59

Despite ongoing dispute over the pathophysiologic basis of migraine, the vasospastic theory of pathogenesis has brought to the forefront a promising class of new antimigraine agents, the Ca2+ channel antagonists. Voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, integral membrane proteins that permit extracellular Ca2+ to enter cells down their electrical and concentration gradients, have a universal role in stimulus-response coupling in excitable cells. Thus, they participate in translating electrical excitation into secretory and contractile events. Ca2+ channel antagonists, a structurally diverse group of organic compounds, inhibit ion flux through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels by binding to specific, channel-associated drug receptor sites and thereby reduce the frequency of channel opening in response to membrane depolarization. Ca2+ channels in cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and neurons all exhibit high affinity for Ca2+ channel antagonists, although neurons also contain a population of drug-resistant channels. Extensive clinical experience in the use of Ca2+ channel antagonists has accumulated from their application to nonneurologic, especially cardiovascular, disorders. Three such drugs, nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem, are currently available in the United States, although none are specifically approved for use in migraine. Other agents, such as nimodipine, are likely to be released in the near future. A large number of clinical studies have now addressed the efficacy of Ca2+ channel antagonists in the prophylaxis of migraine headache. Dihydropyridines (nifedipine and nimodipine), phenylalkylamines (verapamil), diphenylalkylamines (flunarizine), and benzothiazepines (diltiazem) have all been examined, and a beneficial effect has been noted in each case. The limited directly comparative data currently available and the difficulties involved in comparing the results of different studies do not presently support claims of superiority for any single agent. This is an issue that will require attention as these drugs achieve more widespread use in migraine. Existing evidence suggests that flunarizine, verapamil, nifedipine, and nimodipine are effective prophylactic agents in both common and classic migraine. Nifedipine and nimodipine also appear to be valuable for the treatment of cluster headache. Two case reports describing favorable responses to flunarizine in childhood hemiplegic migraine are the only available data concerning the utility of these drugs in "complicated" migraine syndromes. The role of Ca2+ channel antagonists in treating "muscle contraction" or "tension" headache has not been addressed in any detail.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Calcium channel antagonists and the treatment of migraine. 242 60

The present study used recordings of visual potentials evoked by pattern reversal (VEPs) to investigate the central effects of three drugs used in migraine prophylaxis: the calcium channel blocker nifedipine, the beta-1-selective blocker metoprolol, and the nonselective beta adrenoreceptor blocker propranolol. The study involved 58 patients with common or classical migraine who were treated in a double-blind randomized study over a period of 7 months, while the effectiveness of prophylactic treatment was recorded in headache diaries that were subjected to time series analysis. VEPs were recorded at the beginning of a 2-month baseline period without treatment, after 4 months of treatment, and at the end of a 3-month washout period. At baseline, migraine patients had significantly higher VEP amplitudes and longer latencies than did a group of 87 healthy control subjects. Patients were separated by statistical analysis into responders and nonresponders to each prophylactic treatment. Nifedipine had no effects on the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks, nor on amplitude and latency of the VEPs. In contrast, the use of beta blockers resulted in a significant decrease in VEP amplitude, both in responders and nonresponders, whereas VEP latency remained unchanged. VEP amplitudes returned to the initial values at follow-up in the nonresponders, but stayed at lower levels in responders. Beta blockers thus appear to have a significant effect on the increased excitability of the visual system in patients with migraine, although their action is not directly related to their reduction of migraine frequency.
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PMID:Central effects of drugs used in migraine prophylaxis evaluated by visual evoked potentials. 264 24

We conducted a randomized open-labeled study of nifedipine versus propranolol for the initial prophylaxis of migraine. Propranolol was effective in 67% of patients (12/18) and well tolerated. Nifedipine was effective in only 30% of patients (6/20). The lack of overall efficacy of nifedipine was attributable to a high incidence of side effects, including an unusual symptom complex resembling erythromelalgia. These side effects led 45% (9/20) of the nifedipine patients to withdraw from the study within two weeks. By contrast, no patient (0/18) withdrew from the study within the first 2 weeks of propranolol therapy. We conclude that nifedipine is not an agent of first choice for the prophylaxis of migraine.
Headache 1989 Apr
PMID:Nifedipine versus propranolol for the initial prophylaxis of migraine. 265 67

A randomised double blind parallel group study was performed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of slow release nifedipine (maximum dose 40 mg twice a day) with those of atenolol (maximum dose 100 mg once a day) as single agents for the treatment of essential hypertension. Of 410 patients recruited almost exclusively from general practices in 22 centres in the United Kingdom 210 received nifedipine and 200 atenolol. Both drugs significantly reduced blood pressure, and control--a reduction of the diastolic pressure to less than 95 mm Hg--was obtained in about 65% of patients. Those who received nifedipine had more pronounced reductions in systolic pressure than those who received atenolol. One hundred and forty nine patients who failed to respond adequately to either atenolol or nifedipine in low doses were given both drugs once daily for eight weeks in a fixed combination capsule that contained atenolol 50 mg and nifedipine 20 mg. All patients showed further reductions in blood pressure, although those who were taking beta atenolol before the combination capsule had more pronounced reductions in systolic pressures. Twenty six patients (12%) were withdrawn because of adverse effects while taking nifedipine compared with 19 (10%) taking atenolol. Flushing and oedema were more common after the calcium antagonist, whereas diarrhoea and dyspepsia were more common after atenolol. The frequencies of headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and dyspnoea were equally distributed between the two groups. When the fixed combination capsule was taken side effects such as flushing and oedema continued. Nifedipine was more effective than atenolol in lowering systolic blood pressure, although neither drug used alone controlled the pressure of more than two thirds of the patients studied. When used in a fixed combination slightly better control of blood pressure was achieved with a lower dose of each drug.
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PMID:Nifedipine and atenolol singly and combined for treatment of essential hypertension: comparative multicentre study in general practice in the United Kingdom. Nifedipine-Atenolol Study Review Committee. 289 83


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