Hemodynamic Response of Oral Long-Acting Nitrates: Evidence of Gastrointestinal Absorption

¹ Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Department of Medicine; Director, Memorial Heart Research Foundation, Los Angeles, California
² Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine
³ Department of Physiology, University of Southern California School of Dentistry

The gastrointestinal absorption and pharmacologic activity of oral, long acting controlled-release nitroglycerin and oral long acting sustained-release isosorbide dinitrate preparations were studied by finger plethysmographic analysis and clinically. The first derivative of the plethysmographic volume wave was employed and provided a good measure of vasodilator activity of the nitrates investigated. Clinical studies were favorable also. The oral agents evaluated in this study produced pharmacologic and clinical effects lasting for many hours and are suitable when a prolonged nitrate or antianginal effect is desired. These studies demonstrate an adequate gastrointestinal absorption of oral long-acting nitroglycerin and long-acting oral isosorbide dinitrate in amounts that are pharmacologically active.