Effect of Nifedipine on Gastric Emptying

Abstract

We studied the effect of Nifedipine (N) on gastric emptying time (GET) using Tc-99m-sulfur colloid as a radioactive marker and Carnation Instant Breakfast with milk as a test meal. Eleven men ages 49–65 (mean 60 years) had 3 tests over an 8 day period—one with N, one with Placebo (P) and one with N or P (blind). Results showed a delay in gastric emptying after 20 mg N administration, significant at 0.002 level (mean GET T½ 63.7 min for N, 42 min for P). In 1 patient the delay was a full doubling of emptying time from 60 to 120 minutes. The place of N or P in the test sequence did not affect the data. We conclude that the pharmacological effects of N include a delay in gastric emptying in man. This could be clinically significant in patients already at risk for delayed emptying (diabetes, age) or who are taking medication (Digoxin, L-Dopa, Penicillin) which may be inactivated by gastric retention.