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Logo of bmjcrInstructions for authorsCurrent ToCBMJ Case Reports
 
BMJ Case Rep. 2010; 2010: bcr09.2009.2303.
Published online 2010 May 31. doi:  10.1136/bcr.09.2009.2303
PMCID: PMC3047376
Findings that shed new light on the possible pathogenesis of a disease or an adverse effect
Nicorandil-induced terminal ileal ulceration—a probable link
Mark Thomas Swinscoe,1 Ramesh Savani,2 Alan J Lobo,3 Timothy J Stephenson,4 and Andrew J Shorthouse5
1Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Surgery, Northern General Hospital, Herries Road, Sheffield, S5 7AU, UK
2Retired General Practitioner, Apartment 2, Beulah Court, 47 Beech Hill Hadley Wood, EN4 0JW, UK
3Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK
4Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Histopathology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2JF, UK
5Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield, S10 2BP, UK
Correspondence to Andrew J Shorthouse, Shorthouse/at/doctors.org.uk
Abstract
Nicorandil, a commonly prescribed anti-anginal agent, has been reported to be associated with ulceration in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. A 68-year-old general practitioner presented with severe rectal bleeding and abdominal pain associated with terminal ileal ulceration diagnosed by colonoscopy. Capsule endoscopy revealed no other source of bleeding and CT was normal. Diclofenac and/or aspirin were assumed to be causative factors and discontinued. Aspirin was temporarily resumed then discontinued after a second massive, but self-limiting, haemorrhage and persistent abdominal pain. Repeat colonoscopy 5 weeks later confirmed that the previously documented terminal ileal ulceration had worsened. Histopathology was consistent with localised mucosal ischaemia. Nicorandil was withdrawn, after which no further episode of bleeding occurred and his pain settled. Repeat colonoscopy 3 months later confirmed complete healing.
This report implicates nicorandil as a cause of terminal ileal ulceration leading to life-threatening rectal bleeding and abdominal pain.
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