A clinical trial of a new long-acting nitroglycerine preparation (‘Nitrocontin’) in angina pectoris

Summary

In a double-blind crossover study of 15 patients with angina pectoris, a long-acting nitroglycerine preparation (‘Nitrocontin’) was compared against placebo. Patients received 2 tablets per day of either placebo or ‘Nitrocontin’ (6.4 mg. glvceryl trinitrate per tablet) for 4 weeks and were then crossed to the alternative preparation for a further 4 weeks. The results, as assessed by the number of attacks, consumption of glyceryl trinitrate sublingual tablets and patients' impression of improvement, showed that the active drug produced a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the frequency of attacks. In a bicycle ergometric study, the long-acting preparation showed a signiJicant improvement (p < 0.001) in exercise performance against placebo.

Key Words::

• Angina pectoris
• glyceryl trinitrate
• delayed-action preparations
• exercise test