Ketanserin may have some efficacy in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to scleroderma. Overall, ketanserin is not significantly different from placebo for the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon except for some decrease in the duration of attacks and more subjects improved on ketanserin compared to placebo. However, there were more side effects, and the frequency of attacks actually favored placebo. It can be concluded that ketanserin treatment in Raynaud's phenomenon secondary to scleroderma is not clinically beneficial.
The effectiveness of ketanserin in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study.
In 41 patients with Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon (PRP) the effectiveness of the serotonin receptor blocker ketanserin has been studied in a double blind cross-over study. Subjective assessments included: frequency and duration of the attacks (both per se and combined to a severity score), cold sensation, numbness, paresthesia, pain, cold water and cold weather provocation and the appearance of spontaneous attacks. The objective measurements comprised Digital Skin Temperature (DST), Digital systolic Blood Pressure (DBP) and Doppler Spectral Analysis (DOSA) of the radial and ulnar arteries. All measurements were performed both at room temperature and after instant cold provocation. The severity score, the occurrence of numbness and paresthesia and cold weather provocation improved significantly on ketanserin treatment. All objective measurements with the exception of the end-diastolic blood flow velocity of DOSA did not show significant improvements. Neither blood chemistry nor systemic blood pressure showed any significant change during ketanserin treatment. However, in the 6 (15%) patients with hypertension both systolic and diastolic blood pressure normalized. Although in objective measurements hardly any significant effects of ketanserin could be demonstrated, the results of the study suggest that orally administered ketanserin is effective for minimizing subjective complaints in patients with PRP. Ketanserin did not show any side effects.