AMLODIPINE IN THE TREATMENT OF RAYNAUDS-PHENOMENON - A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED CROSSOVER STUDY

Treatment with calcium antagonists has been shown to be beneficial in patients with primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. A double-bli nd placebo-controlled crossover trial was performed to assess the effi cacy of amlodipine, a new long-acting calcium antagonist, in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon without underlying disease. 20 of the 24 pat ients enrolled (20 women and 4 men, mean age 45 years) completed the t rial. The number of episodes of Raynaud's phenomenon per week and the severity of discomfort significantly improved during amlodipine (p < 0 .0001 and p < 0.0004, respectively) but not placebo treatment. Perfusi on-pressure index, evaluated with Doppler sonography using a postischa emia reactive hyperaemia test, significantly improved (p < 0.04) after treatment with amlodipine but not placebo. These results indicate tha t amlodipine is a useful treatment for primary and suspected secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, at least in the short term.