Treatment of Angina Pectoris with a New Coronary Vasodilator, Isosorbide Dinitrate Sublingual (Isordil Subloral*)

Abstract

Several articles are reviewed in which 515 patients with angina pectoris were treated with oral isosorbide dinitrate with good results in from 74 to 100% of the patients. The drug is also said to be of value sublingually. With the sublingual drug activity appears somewhat slower than with nitroglycerin. Its solubility is about the same as nitroglycerin but its period of activity is much longer, being approximately 4 hours. The only side-effect is headache, which varies from slight (about 20%) to moderate (about 20%), to throbbing one (about 10%). This headache can be relieved by salicylates or phenobarbital or by reducing the dosage. The results in 46 anginal patients treated was good.