Effects of nifedipine in women with unstable bladders.

A study of the effect of the calcium antagonist nifedipine on the detrusor contractions of 10 women with an unstable bladder is reported. An inhibiting effect was observed in all patients after intake of nifedipine. The number of contractions and the contraction amplitudes decreased, and the bladder capacity increased. Resting intraurethral and intravesical pressures were not affected. Subjective improvement was reported by all patients during a week of continuous nifedipine treatment. Side effects were few and tolerable. It is suggested that nifedipine can be of value in the treatment of unstable bladder.