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Extended-release nifedipine bezoar identified one year after discontinuation
L M Niezabitowski1, B N Nguyen, J G Gums
1College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|August 6, 2000
Summary
Extended-release nifedipine can cause tablet impaction, forming bezoars in the GI tract. This risk persists even a year after stopping the medication, particularly in patients with peptic strictures.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Extended-release nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker used for hypertension and angina.
- Medication bezoars are rare gastrointestinal concretions that can cause obstruction.
Observation:
- A case of tablet impaction of nifedipine extended-release (Procardia XL) was identified one year after the patient discontinued the drug.
- The impaction caused a gastric outlet obstruction in the duodenal area.
- The patient had a history of peptic stricture.
Findings:
- Extended-release nifedipine has been linked to the formation of medication bezoars.
- Bezoars are undigested material concretions within the GI tract, commonly in the stomach or duodenum.
- This case highlights impaction occurring long after nifedipine discontinuation.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider nifedipine tablet impaction as a potential cause of epigastric pain and weight loss in at-risk patients.
- Awareness of this rare complication is crucial when prescribing extended-release medications.
- This emphasizes the importance of long-term monitoring for potential adverse effects of extended-release drug formulations.
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