Efficacy of Nitroglycerin Patches: Fact or Fancy?

Excerpt

The organic nitrates have been the most commonly used agents in the management of patients with angina pectoris. Although various beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agents and calcium-entry blocking drugs are now available, the nitrates remain important in the prophylaxis of angina and are the drugs of choice in the treatment of spontaneous or exercise-induced angina pectoris. When administered orally, the organic nitrates are considered to provide protection for periods of several hours and are usually taken four times daily. Recent studies, however, have shown the development of tolerance to the antianginal effects of the orally administered organic nitrates (1-3). The initial administration