[Edema and skin ulcers of the lower limbs as a collateral effect of nifedipine. A clinical case report].

Nifedipine, as most calcium-antagonist drugs, is widely used for the treatment of angina pectoris and primary hypertension. Among its side effects, edema of lower limbs may expose patients to traumatic ulcers which become chronic. A case with painful ulcers and remarkable swelling of the ankles is reported. In this case, misdiagnosed as chronic venous insufficiency, good results were obtained with topical treatment and discontinuation of nifedipine. Leg ulcers and edema resolved in four months after ten years of disease history.