Effect of nifedipine on sphincter of Oddi motor activity: Studies in healthy volunteers and patients with biliary dyskinesia

Efficacy of nifedipine therapy in patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: a prospective, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐ controlled, cross over trial.

“…Consequently the pressures in both bile and pancreatic ducts were reduced. Guelrud et al (1988) failed to show any effect on sphincter of Oddi motor activity with 10 mg sublingual nifedipine, while 20 mg caused moderate but significant decreases of sphincter of Oddi basal pressures in eight volunteers and a marked effect on sphincter of Oddi basal pressures in nine patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Comparable decreases in the amplitude, frequency and duration of phasic contractions were also observed.…”

“…In symptomatic patients with nutcraker oesophagus nifedipine significantly decreases distal oesophageal contraction amplitude for as long as 90 min (Hongo et al, 1984), and the dose-response has been explored in patients with nutcracker oesophagus (Richter et al, 1987). Nifedipine affects sphincter of Oddi motor activity both in volunteers and patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (Guelrud et al, 1988;Khuroo et al, 1986). Nifedipine 10 mg sublingually had a slow effect on the sphincter of Oddi starting within 5 min and extending to 15 min.…”

“…Sphincter of Oddi manometry reveals elevated basal pressure which does not relax after administration of smooth muscle relaxants (Bar-Meir et al, 1979), and these patients were not expected to respond to nifedipine therapy. As nifedipine has no effect on the sequence of phasic contractions (Guelrud et al, 1988) patients with abnormal propagation of phasic contractions as the primary abnormality of sphincter of Oddi were also excluded. Fifteen percent of our post-cholecystectomy patients with abdominal pain had normal sphincter of Oddi manometry.…”

“…Drug therapy of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction has received little attention. Nifedipine affects sphincter of Oddi motor activity in volunteers and patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (Guelrud et al, 1988;Khuroo et al, 1986 …”

Biliary Dyspepsia: Functional Gallbladder and Sphincter of Oddi Disorders

“…Nifedipine, a calcium channel antagonist, has previously been studied with conflicting results in the treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Nifedipine 20mg can significantly decrease the basal pressure in the sphincter of Oddi and also reduce the amplitude, duration and frequency of phasic contractions [85]. This effect is not seen at lower doses of nifedipine; unfortunately, hypotension is a common side effect at the higher dose.…”