What medication is commonly used for acute episodes of Raynaud's disease?

Raynaud's disease is characterized by episodic vasospasm of the small blood vessels in response to cold or stress, leading to reduced blood flow to the fingers and toes. The primary goal of treatment during acute episodes is to relieve vasospasm and restore blood flow.

Calcium channel blockers are commonly used in the management of acute episodes of Raynaud's disease because they promote vasodilation by preventing calcium from entering vascular smooth muscle cells. This results in relaxation of the blood vessels, allowing for better blood flow during an episode.

Medications like nitroglycerin can also be considered; however, calcium channel blockers are generally preferred due to their effectiveness in directly addressing the pathophysiology of Raynaud's. Other options, such as epinephrine and beta-blockers, are not suitable for treating acute episodes; epinephrine can exacerbate vasospasm due to its vasoconstrictive effects, while beta-blockers may lead to worsening symptoms in some patients.

Thus, identifying calcium channel blockers as the correct choice highlights their specific role in providing relief from the symptoms of Raynaud's disease during acute episodes.