Prescription drugs indirectly related to Dupuytren contracture
A Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs. As usual, there is controversy about drugs causing or contributing to Dupuytren’s contracture. However, because there is controversy and unknows in most areas of Dupuytren’s contracture, we speculate.
Even the cause of Dupuytren’s contracture remains unknown. Age, genetic predisposition, and liver cirrhosis related to alcoholism, have the strongest statistical and clinical support as a cause of DC. Interestingly, people think of trauma or injury most often as the cause of Dupuytren’s contracture. Perhaps this is because trauma, cuts and surgery lead to excess scar formation. And DC looks like heavy scar formation. Regardless, a person with Dupuytren’s contracture should focus about avoiding or reducing exposure to those causes of DC that are avoidable or at least controllable. Among them, there is statistical evidence that a Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs.
Drugs open the gate to DC when we are weak
For those who already have age (over 50), gender (male), genetic predisposition and liver disease in their history working against them, it is wise to pay close attention to other causes that are controllable. For example, prescription drug use. One side effect of these prescription drugs is to suppress or reduce the immune defense response of the body. Thus, with a weakened immune system, and liver disease due to drug toxicity, there is less ability to prevent development of Dupuytren contracture.
While no single drug or drug family has been implicated in causing Dupuytren contracture, many drugs have the potential. Prolonged use of a potent drug could initiate DC via the indirect mechanism by causing liver disease and cirrhosis usually associated with alcoholism. Bottom line, many drugs stress and injure the liver, and this is statistically important in causing Dupuytren’s contracture.
Drugs to keep in mind
As a general guideline, this list is provided to demonstrate a Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs because they all affect the liver, some more and some less. It is all about the connection between liver damage and Dupuytren’s contracture.
Drugs that may cause acute dose-dependent liver damage
- acetaminophen
- salicylates (doses over 2 grams daily)
Drugs that may cause acute dose-independent liver damage
- acebutolol
- labetalol
- quinine
- indomethacin
- phenylbutazone
- allopurinol
- isoniazid
- phenytoin
- lisinopril
- atenolol
- ketoconazole
- piroxicam
· carbamazepine
· cimetidine - maprotiline
- pyrazinamide
- dantrolene
- metoprolol
- quinidine
- diclofenac
· probenecid - cimetidine
- maprotiline
- pyrazinamide
- dantrolene
- metoprolol
- quinidine
- diclofenac
· penecillins - mianserin
· phenelzine - tricyclic antidepressants
- halothane
- phenindione
- valproic acid
- ibuprofen
- phenobarbital
- verapamil
- diclofenac
- diclofenac
- piroxicam
- ethionamide
Bottom line on Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs
In conclusion, these listed drugs have side effects. They can complicate the problem of someone who is already sick. Use all drugs with caution and discretion. But if you have Dupuytren’s contracture, use these drugs with great caution. Talk to your doctor about using the safest drug possible for whatever problem you might have.
If you are male, over 50, with a family history of Dupuytren’s contracture, or a history of liver cirrhosis or heavy alcohol consumption, recognize these drugs pose a danger to you. Your particular Dupuytren cause could be related to drugs on this list. Possibly, you could be stressing your liver and putting yourself at further risk of worsening and accelerating your Dupuytren problem. For this reason, speak to your doctor if you are taking any of the above drugs. Ask about changing or reducing medication.
Also, consider using the safe and direct DCI Dupuytren contracture treatment option. When people use the DCI large plan, we get 8-10 reports of moderate to marked improvement of DC, for every one report of failure.
Recently came across a case of mixed anxiety and depression with epilepsy who reported Duptries contraction due to long term valproate ingestion. If you can give references with regards to this it would be interesting to go through it.
Greetings Dr. Ghorpade,
Thank you for your inquiry. I am not sure what kind of literature you seek, but perhaps you could start at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51085282_Dupuytren%27s_contracture_as_result_of_prolonged_administration_of_Phenobarbital
Good luck in your search. TRH
I acquired aggressive Dupuytren’s contracture following a 4 1/2 week course of ciprofloxacin, and wonder if there are other recorded cases of this.
Greetings Shan,
Yes, there is a lot of evidence correlating Ciprofloxacin use and Dupuytren’s contracture. As examples: 1. Several published studies exist. 2. Possible side effect of Dupuytren’s contracture is mentioned in the literature specifically about Ciprofloxacin. 3. I have communicated with many people who state their Dupuytren’s contracture began after using Ciprofloxacin. Any knowledgeable doctor who prescribes this drug should be aware of the many side effects of Ciprofloxacin, including DC.
Considering your last name, and the genetic predisposition it suggests, I believe you are at a greater risk of developing Dupuytren’s contracture as a result of taking Ciprofloxacin.
Please be very careful about considering surgery to correct your Dupuytren’s contracture, since I believe your hereditary predisposition would make you more likely to have an unfavorable outcome. The same is true for using a Xiaflex injection series, which is very similar to surgery in that massive tissue destruction is involved. TRH
I fractured my left wrist 5 months prior to developing nodules on the left palm. I had surgical repair of trigger finger on my right first & third digits. About 2 months later developed nodules to my right palm. Is this likely Dupuytren’s contracture & was it caused by the trauma of the fracture & surgery? If yes, what is the best treatment to prevent contractions?
Greetings Barbara,
For a definite and clear answer to your question you must be examined by a doctor who has knowledge and experience with hand problems. However, based on your history of fracture and subsequent hand surgery for trigger finger and your report of nodules on your palm, there is a very strong likelihood you are already in the early stages of Dupuytren’s contracture. It is possible I am wrong, but not likely.
You are wise to want to start treatment early; this will provide best results. As far as the best way to proceed, it has long been the position of DCI that best results are achieved by using the DCI large plan. You do not want to give this problem an opportunity to develop further, so aggressive treatment is warranted. As I mention throughout this website, 8-10 of our therapy users on the large DCI treatment plan report moderate to marked reduction of the palm nodule and cord for every one report of failure. Pretty good results for such a safe form of Dupuytren’s contracture treatment. Full instructions for using the large plan come with each order.
You most definitely would be wise to avoid any further trauma (surgery) to your hand since this will only stimulate more DC development. And as you can tell by the answers given to our readers, as well as how quickly we reply to questions, we take very good care of our DCI users.
Let me know if you have any questions. TRH