[Treatment of ureteral colic with glycerol trinitrate].

METHOD

In an open randomized clinical trial, the efficacy of 2.4 mg glycerol trinitrate (GTN) administered in a variety of forms (2 x 1.2 mg capsules; 6 x 0.4 mg puffs of an atomizer; 2.4 ml of an 0.1% infusion solution) in comparison with 20 mg of butylscopolamine bromide i.v. (BSB) in 80 patients suffering from acute ureteral colic.

RESULTS

Some 30 minutes following medication, the effect was adjudged by the physician to be good (no pain) moderate (some pain still present) or non-existent (alternative treatment within 30 minutes).

CONCLUSION

GTN was effective in 40% of the cases, BSB in 26.3%. A moderate effect was seen in 46.7% and 62.3%, respectively, while no response was elicited in 13.3 and 10.5%, respectively. In addition, recurrence within 24 hours, blood pressure, pulse rate and laboratory tests were recorded. Side effects occurred in 13 patients (12 in the GTN and 1 in the BSB group), but, with one exception (GTN i.v.), were all mild in nature.