Nitroglycerin Ointment Effective for Seven Hours in Severe Angina Pectoris

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Abstract
The efficacy and tolerability of nitroglycerin (NTG) ointment were studied in 80 male patients with severe angina pectoris. Two symptom-limited exercise tests were performed on successive days after application of an ointment containing 15 mg NTG or a placebo (P) ointment. The patients were assigned to 4 groups. The study was conducted in a double-blind, cross-over manner. The total amount of work performed was higher in all groups on NTG (46-70%) compared to P ointment. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001) at all points of time from 0.5-7 h. The ST segment depression in ECG at the end of the exercise test was slightly greater on P than on NTG, but the difference was statistically significant only in the 3-h group (P < 0.01). The frequencies of headache and dizziness were 35 and 16%, respectively, on NTG. Patients [8] (10%) reported that headache was severe enough to prevent regular use of NTG ointment. NTG ointment is effective, has a long duration of action and is relatively well tolerated by patients with severe angina pectoris.