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Bronchodilator effect of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate in asthma

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Summary

The bronchodilating effect of 5 mg sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) was studied in 10 patients with bronchial asthma, using the doubleblind randomised cross-over method with matched placebo. In a further 20 asthmatics the effect of sublingual ISDN was compared with that of metaproterenol given by a metered dose inhaler to a total dose of 2.25 mg, again using the cross-over method. The forced oscillation method was used to measure respiratory resistance (Rrs) and spirometry was used to measure vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). 5 minutes after administration of ISDN Rrs had decreased (p<0.05) and VC (p<0.01) and FEV1 (p<0.01) were significantly increased. The changes were still present after 15, 30 and 60 min. The placebo had no significant effect. ISDN increased FEV1 less than metaproterenol, and the difference between them was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between ISDN and metaproterenol in the improvement in Rrs and VC. Of the total of 30 patients, 11 experienced headache and 4 had transient hypotension after ISDN administration. These side effects subsided spontaneously. It was concluded that sublingual ISDN had a bronchodilating effect in stable asthmatics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Department of Internal Medicine, Tohoku University, School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan

    M. Okayama, H. Sasaki & T. Takishima

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  1. M. Okayama
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  2. H. Sasaki
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  3. T. Takishima
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Okayama, M., Sasaki, H. & Takishima, T. Bronchodilator effect of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate in asthma. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 26, 151–155 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00630279

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00630279

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