[A case report of severe urinary retention and meteorism during flunarizine administration]

A case of flunarizine hydrochloride (FZ)-induced severe urinary retention and meteorism which resulted from sphincter spasm of the urinary bladder and the anus is presented. An 81-year-old female had received 10 mg/day FZ orally for 12 months before hypokinesia and general fatigue developed. Physical examination revealed slight rigidity of the extremities, abdominal distention and spasm of the anal sphincter muscle. Laboratory examinations showed uremia (BUN 88 mg/dl, Creatinine 16.8 mg/dl) and abdominal X-ray demonstrated marked distention of the small and large bowels. Renal failure improved within 2 days after massive urination using a urethral catheter. Abdominal distention was improved by the ileus and anal tubes. The difficulties of urination and defecation and decreased mobility of the extremities were resolved one month after the cessation of FZ. No organic changes were detected in urinary, intestinal and neurological systems by cystoscopy, CT, MRI and gastrointestinal fiberscopy. Serum concentration of FZ was 42.5 ng/ml on admission but decreased slowly to 17.9 ng/ml 80 days later. Serum half life was calculated to be 55 days which was 3 times longer than that healthy younger volunteers.