Diltiazem vs. nifedipine in chilblains: a clinical trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The treatment of chilblains remains unsatisfactory. Nifedipine in higher doses remains the mainstay of treatment.

AIMS:

To compare the efficacy of diltiazem with that of nifedipine, and to determine the efficacy of nifedipine in lower doses, 36 chilblains cases were studied.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Group A (12 patients) was treated with diltiazem 60 mg thrice daily, and Group B (24 patients) with 10 mg nifedipine thrice daily till complete relief and then maintained on a sustained release preparation of nifedipine 20 mg twice daily.

RESULTS:

Two patients in Group A showed complete relief in 7 days, and 3 patients in about 21 days, but in 7 cases there was little or no response. In group B, 21 cases showed 80-90% relief by the fourteenth day.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that nifedipine remains the drug of choice in chilblains but can be used in a smaller dosage in the Indian population. Diltiazem is less effective in the conventional dose, which may be optimized.

• Authors: A K Patra, A L Das, P Ramadasan
• Journal: Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology (Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol) 2003 May-Jun Vol. 69 Issue 3 Pg. 209-11 ISSN: 0973-3922 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17642888 (Publication Type: Journal Article)