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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.
Anderson et al. (Wed,) studied this question.