Isosorbide-5-mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate retard in the treatment of coronary heart disease: a multi-centre study.

A multi-centre study was carried out in 200 coronary patients to compare the efficacy and tolerance of isosorbide dinitrate retard (40 mg) and isosorbide-5-mononitrate (20 mg) with regard to the frequency of anginal attacks and consumption of sub-lingual (short acting) nitrates. After receiving treatment for 2 weeks with isosorbide dinitrate retard at a dosage of 2 or 3 tablets per day, only those patients continued the study who had a weekly average of 4 or more anginal attacks during this basal period. The selected patients were divided in 4 groups of 50 patients and received treatment for a further 4 weeks with either isosorbide dinitrate retard at a dosage of 2 tablets (Group D2) or 3 tablets (D3) per day or isosorbide-5-mononitrate at a dosage of 2 tablets (Group M2) or 3 tablets (Group M3) per day.