title: Efficacy of isosorbide mononitrate in angina pectoris.
abstract: The rapid development of tolerance has limited the applicability of oral and transdermal nitrates in the long-term management of patients with chronic stable angina pectoris. Recent well-controlled trials have demonstrated that asymmetrical, or eccentric, dosing of oral isosorbide mononitrate, in which 20-mg doses are taken at 8 A.M. and 3 P.M., provides at least 12 hours of antianginal coverage. There is no evidence for the development of tolerance with this schedule, which allows for a 17-hour nitrate withdrawal period. Likewise, the asymmetrical 20-mg twice daily regimen has not been associated with the zero-hour effect that has been reported with higher oral doses of isosorbide mononitrate and with intermittent nitroglycerin patch therapy. This approach also avoids the development of a clinical rebound phenomenon, as measured by increased episodes of angina and nitroglycerin consumption, compared with the pretreatment period, during the nitrate-free interval at night and the early hours of the morning.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Section, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73104.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Thadani
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: de Vane
mesh_terms: D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate; C030397:isosorbide-5-mononitrate