Nifedipine and diltiazem for treatment of chronic anal fissures
Nifedipine and diltiazem are calcium channel blockers. These medicines, which are taken by mouth (orally) to lower blood pressure, have been found to have some benefit in healing long-term (chronic) tears, or fissures, in the anus.1
One cause of fissures is increased tension (called resting pressure) and spasm in the internal anal sphincter, one of two muscles that control the anus. These medicines work by relaxing the smooth muscle, allowing the fissure to heal.
A review of many studies showed that calcium channel blockers were no better at healing anal fissure than nitroglycerin ointment.2 More research needs to be done on how well calcium channel blockers can help anal fissures heal.
| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: May 30, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery | |
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