Our experience with nifedipine and prednisolone as expulsive therapy for ureteral stones

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of nifedipine associated with prednisolone in ureteral stone passage. Material and Methods: In our department we enrolled 50 patients with radiopaque ureteral stones. Stone size was 15 mm or less. The patients were divided into two groups: group I included 25 patients who received 30 mg oral treatment of slow - release nifedipine ( for a maximum of 20 days) and 25 mg of prednisolone ( for a maximum of 10 days) daily. Group II was made up of 25 patients who received 25 mg of prednisolone daily. On request, both groups could use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Results: The mean expulsion time was 6 days in group I and 10 days in group II. The average stone size was 12 mm in group I and 12.8 mm in group II. Six patients suspended therapy in group I ( 5 erythema, 1 stomachache), and seven in group II ( 3 because of intolerable pain, 4 stomachache). The expulsion success rates were 68% in group I and 81% in group II. Conclusions: For ureteral stones that do not cause an emergency situation, such as obstructive uropathy, infection or intolerable pain, we suggest expulsive medical treatment with nifedipine and prednisolone, if there are no contraindications to drug use. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.