Abstract
It has been suggested that calcium-channel blockers may delay gastric emptying by inhibiting gastric smooth muscle contraction. Most reports in man, however, reveal no significant delay in gastric emptying after using nifedipine; other calcium-channel blockers have not been studied in humans to date. We studied the effects of verapamil and diltiazem on solid-phase gastric emptying in 10 healthy volunteers. Each subject underwent a radionuclide gastric emptying determination (1) without preadministered medication, (2) after verapamil 80 mg orally every 6 hr for 10 doses, and (3) after diltiazem 60 mg by mouth given as one dose. Results revealed no significant difference in gastric emptying rates after pretreatment with verapamil or diltiazem when compared with no premedication (P>0.37). We conclude that verapamil and diltiazem do not significantly delay gastric emptying in normal subjects. These data may be of clinical significance when prescribing calcium-channel blockers to patients with diseases associated with altered gastric emptying.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Braunwald E: Mechanism of action of calcium channel blocking agents. N Engl J Med 307:1618–1627, 1982
Council of Scientific Affairs: Calcium channel blocking agents. JAMA 250:2522–2524, 1983
Brage R, Cortijo J, Esplugues J, Esplugues JV, Marti-Bonmati E, Rodriguez C: Effects of calcium channel blockers on gastric emptying and acid secretion of the ratin vivo. Br J Pharmacol 89:627–632, 1986
Blackwell NJ, Holt S, Heading RC: Effects of nifedipine on oesophageal motility and gastric emptying. Digestion 21:50–56, 1981
Traube M, Lange RC, McAllister RG, McCallum RW: Effects of nifedipine on gastric emptying in normal subjects. Dig Dis Sci 30:710–712, 1985
Santander R, Mena I, Gramisu M, Valenzuela J: Effect of nifedipine on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility in man. Dig Dis Sci 33:535–539, 1988
Goetsch RA, Fink S, Chaudhuri TK: Effects of nifedipine on gastric emptying. Mil Med 151:438–439, 1986
Hermann P, Morselli PL: Pharmacokinetics of diltiazem and other calcium entry blockers. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol 57(suppl 2):10–20, 1985
Rovei V, Gomeni R, Mitchard M, Larribaud J, Blatrix CH, Thebault JJ, Morselli PL: Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of diltiazem in man. Acta Cardiol 35:35–45, 1980
Altman DG: Statistics and ethics in medical research. Br Med J 218:1336–1338, 1980
Andersson KE: Effects of calcium and calcium antagonists on the excitation-contraction coupling in striated and smooth muscle. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol 43:5–14, 1978
Andersson K, Lundhold L, Muhane-Lundhold E, Nilsonn K: Role of cyclic AMP and calcium in metabolic and mechanical events in smooth muscle. Adv Cyclic Nucleotide Res 1:312–329, 1962
Bozler E: Control of contractile mechanism of smooth and cardiac muscle. Am J Physiol 214:509–512, 1968
Himori N, Taira N: Differential effects of the calcium antagonistic vasodilators, nifedipine and verapamil, on the tracheal musculature and vasculature of the dog. Br J Pharmacol 68:595–597, 1980
Traube MT, McCallum RW: Calcium channel blockers and the gastrointestinal tract. Am J Gastroenterol 79:892–896, 1984
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The opinions or assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yavorski, R.T., Hallgren, S.E. & Blue, P.W. Effects of verapamil and diltiazem on gastric emptying in normal subjects. Digest Dis Sci 36, 1274–1276 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01307521
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01307521