clinical pharmacology

GLYCERYL TRINITRATE OINTMENT GIVES LONG ACTING PROTECTION

Valuable in patients not suited to surgery or ~-blocker therapy The effects of glyceryl trinitrate (nitroglycerin) ointment in the prevention of chest pain was studied in 17 patients with angina by comparing their exercise capacity at 30mins (after drug or placebo) and at hourly intervals up to 4 hours after using glyceryl trinitrate. Ointment (I. 8cm) was applied to each patient's back and covered with a Meolin dressing. Placebo ointment had no significant effect on the duration of exercise tolerance (mean 2.9min). At 30 mins, 16 patients showed considerable improvement with glyceryl trinitrate: 5 patients had no pain after 15 mins continuous exercise, II had improved exercise tolerance (mean 6.Smins) which had further increased at I hour (6.8mins). At 3 hours, I patient was still pain free, 3 had pain at times similar to placebo and 12 still showed considerable benefit. All patients experienced pain on exercise after 4 hours: 10 at placebo times and 6 still showing improvement (4.03mins). The main side effect was headache in 3 patients. Individuals who experience headache with sublingual glyceryl trinitrate should not use the ointment. Salem, H.H. and Singh, S.P.: Postgraduate Medical Journal 55: 874 (Dec 1979)

0156-2703/80/0202-0013 $00.50/0 ©AOIS Press INPHARMA 2 Feb 1980 13