Prescribing Notes
- NICE CG126 covers the management of stable angina.
- Nitrates are used in the management of angina pectoris, unstable angina, heart failure and acute myocardial infarction.
- Modified release nitrates should not be given more than once daily as nitrate tolerance will develop. A daily nitrate-free period is necessary to minimise tolerance. The length of the nitrate-free period required varies and depends on the pharmacokinetic properties of each preparation.
- Asymmetric dosing regimens with standard-release nitrate preparations can be confusing to patients and could lead to non-compliance and nitrate tolerance. Consider switch to modified release preparation.
- Glyceryl trinitrate patches are not recommended as they have no proven advantages over oral nitrates and cost much more. Unless patients remove patches for several consecutive hours per day (8-12 hours) nitrate tolerance can develop. Sensitivity to the patch adhesive may also occur.
- Nitrates may occasionally aggravate angina in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and increase intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma.
- GTN intravenous injection may be given when GTN spray is ineffective in patients with chest pain due to myocardial infarction or severe ischaemia and in treatment of acute left ventricular failure.