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Published on: October 6, 2015
Nicorandil associated anal ulceration
Angus Watson1, Ous Al-Ozairi, Andy Fraser
1Department of Surgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, Scotland, UK. a.j.watson@abdn.ac.uk
Lancet (London, England)
|September 21, 2002
Summary
Nicorandil, a vasodilator for angina, may cause anal ulcers. Five patients experienced these ulcers, which healed after discontinuing the medication, suggesting a potential link.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nicorandil is a vasodilator medication commonly prescribed for angina.
- Previous reports have linked nicorandil use to oral ulceration and stomatitis.
- These oral side effects typically resolve upon drug discontinuation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a potential association between nicorandil and anal ulceration.
- To describe the clinical and histological features of anal ulcers in patients using nicorandil.
Main Methods:
- A case series of five patients presenting with non-specific anal ulceration was reviewed.
- All patients in the series were receiving nicorandil for management of ischaemic heart disease.
- Clinical data and histological findings of the anal ulcers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Five patients receiving nicorandil for ischaemic heart disease developed non-specific anal ulceration.
- Histological examination revealed similar findings across all reported cases.
- Anal ulcer healing was observed in all patients after the cessation of nicorandil therapy.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that nicorandil may be an under-recognized cause of anal ulceration.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the etiological role of nicorandil in anal ulcer development.
- Clinicians should consider nicorandil as a potential cause in patients presenting with anal ulcers.
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