Objective: To determine whether the orally absorbable prostaglandin E1 analog misoprostol might be a suitable treatment for Raynaud's phenomenon (RP).
Methods: We tested the acute effect of a single 400 micrograms oral dose of misoprostol on digital hemodynamics. Eight patients with RP and 6 healthy volunteers were evaluated in a double blind, placebo controlled, crossover study. Hemodynamic outcome measures included fingertip skin temperature, finger systolic pressure, laser Doppler digital blood flow, and the skin temperature reactivity and rewarming response to a -5 degrees C cold challenge.
Results: We found no significant effects of misoprostol on digital circulation in either patients with Raynaud's or healthy subjects in any of the outcome measures.
Conclusion: We conclude that misoprostol has no significant acute vasodilating properties in the digital circulation, and therefore it is not likely to be an effective adjunct to the treatment of RP.