Abstract
Nitrates have been used for more than 100 years to curtail angina pectoris attacks [15, 54]. There can be no doubt whatsoever about their positive effects in the treatment of acute episodes. However, during the past few years, there has been increasing controversy in discussions concerning the maintenance of nitrate effects when prescribed as long-term therapy. While some groups have shown evidence of either a weakening, or indeed a loss, of efficacy [6, 38, 69, 83], others have not been able to confirm these findings [5, 20, 21, 48, 57, 72, 73, 86]. In summarizing the studies published to date on this subject it is intended here, to present a balanced picture, in order to draw practical conclusions from the comparison of arguments for and against nitrate tolerance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Abrams J (1980) Nitrate tolerance and dependence. Am Heart J 99: 113–123
Abrams J (1983) Does tolerance develop during long-acting nitrate therapy? A critical review. In: Kaltenbach M, Kober G (eds) Nitrates and nitrate tolerance in angina pectoris. Steinkopff, Darmstadt, pp 13–23
Aronow WS, Chesluk HM (1970) Sublingual isosorbide dinitrate therapy versus sublingual placebo in angina pectoris. Circulation 41: 869–874
Bassenge E (1982) Pharmakologische Basis der Therapie mit Molsidomin. Herz 7: 296–306
Becker HJ, Waiden G, Kaltenbach M (1976) Gibt es eine ‘Tachyphylaxie’ beziehungsweise Gewöhnung bei der Behandlung der Angina pectoris mit Nitrokörpern? Verh Dtsch Ges Innere Med 82/11: 1208–1210
Blasini R, Brügman U, Mannes A, Froer KL, Hall D, Rudolph W (1980) Wirksamkeit von Isosorbiddinitrat in retardierter Form bei Langzeitbehandlung. Herz 5: 298–305
Blasini R, Froer KL, Blümel G, Rudolph W (1982) Wirkungsverlust von Isosorbiddinitrat bei Langzeitbehandlung der chronischen Herzinsuffizienz. Herz 7: 250–258
Blasini R, Brügmann U, Mannes A, Rudolph W (1982) Molsidomin zur Langzeitbehandlung der Angina pectoris. Herz 7: 307–316
Blasini R, Froer KL, Brügmann U, Rudolph W (1983) Verhalten von System- und Pulmonalar-teriendruck unter Langzeitverabreichung von Molsidomin bei Patienten mit chronischer Herzinsuffizienz. Z Kardiol [Suppl I] 72:
Bogaert MG, De Schaepdryer AF (1968) Tolerance towards glyceryl trinitrate (trinitrin) in dogs. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 171: 221
Böhme E, Graf H, Schultz G (1978) Effects of sodium nitroprusside and other smooth muscle relaxants on cyclic GMP formation in smooth muscle and platelets. Adv Cyclic Nucleotide Res 9: 131–143
Böhme E, Grossman G, Spies C (1983) Effects of molsidomine and other NO-containing vasodilators on cyclic GMP formation. Europ Heart J 4 [Suppl C]: 19–24
Brown BG, Bolson DE, Petersen RB, Pierce CD, Dogde HT (1981) The mechanisms of nitroglycerin action: stenosis vasodilatation as a major component of the drug response. Circulation 64: 1089–1097
Brunner D, Weisbord J, Meshulam N, Margulis S (1981) Unchanged efficacy of acute sublingual nitrate compounds during long-term treatment with percutaneously applied isosorbide dinitrate ointment. In: Lichtlen PR et al. (eds) Nitrates III. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 100–109
Brunton TL (1857) Use of nitrate of amyl in angina pectoris. Lancet II: 97–98
Bussmann WD (1983) Anfalls- und Langzeitbehandlung der Angina pectoris mit Nitraten. Z Kardiol 72: 305–312
Colucci WS, Williams GH, Alexander RW, Braunwald E (1981) Mechanisms and implications of vasodilator tolerance in the treatment of congestive heart-failure. Am J Med 71: 89–99
Crandall LA, Leake CD, Loevenhart AS, Muehlberger CW (1931) Acquired tolerance and cross tolerance between the nitrous and nitric acid esters and sodium nitrite in man. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 41: 103
Dalai JJ, Yao L, Parker JO (1983) Nitrate tolerance: Influence of isosorbide dinitrate on the hemodynamic and antianginal effects of nitroglycerin. J Am Coll Cardiol 2: 115–120
Danahy DT, Aronow WS (1977) Hemodynamics and antianginal effects of high dose oral isosorbide dinitrate after chronic use. Circulation 56: 205–212
Davidov ME, Mroczek WJ (1977) Effect of sustained release nitroglycerin capsules on anginal frequency and exercise capacity: A double-blind evaluation. Angiology 28: 181–189
Deanfield JE, Selwyn AP, Chierchia S, Maseri A, Ribeiro P, Krikler S, Morgan M (1983) Myocardial ischaemia during daily life in patients with stable angina: its relation to symptoms and heart rate changes. Lancet II: 753–758
Distante A, L’Abbate A, Palombo C, Michelassi C, Rovai D, Morales MA, Sabino F, Moscarelli E, Lombardi M, Maseri A (1981) May prolonged high doses of nitrates cause tolerance? Preliminary results on the response to an additional dose by infusion. In: Lichtlen PR et al. (eds) Nitrates III. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 82–90
Fox KM, Deanfield JE, Wright C, Ribeiro P, Maseri A (1983) The effect of long-acting nitrates on ambulatory ECG changes in patients with angina pectoris treated for 1 week. In: Kaltenbach M, Kober G (eds) Nitrates and nitrate tolerance in angina pectoris. Steinkopff, Darmstadt, pp 153–157
Francis GS, Olivari MT, Goldsmith SR, Levine TB, Pierpont G, Cohn JN (1983) The acute response of plasma norepinephrine, renin activity, and arginine vasopressin to short-term nitro-prusside and nitroprusside withdrawal in patients with congestive heart failure. Am Heart J 106: 1315–1320
Frieke G, Hild R, Ihm P, Modlmayr HH (1976) Feldstudie mit Isoket und Isoket-retard. In: Rudolph W, Siegenthaler W (eds) Nitrate, Wirkung auf Herz und Kreislauf. Urban and Schwar-zenberg, Munic, pp 151–160
Fuchs RM, Brinker JA, Guzman PA, Kross DE, Yin FCP (1983) Regional coronary blood flow during relief of pacing-induced angina by nitroglycerin. Implications for mechanism of action. Am J Cardiol 51: 19–23
Fung HL, McNiff EF, Riggirello D, Darke A, Parker JO, Thadani U (1980) Pharmacokinetics and pharmacologic effects after single and chronic doses of isosorbide dinitrate. Am J Cardiol 45: 438
Ganz W, Marcus HS (1972) Failure of intracoronary nitroglycerin to alleviate pacing-induced angina. Circulation 46: 880–889
Georgopoulos AJ, Markis A, Georgiadis H (1982) Therapeutic efficacy of a new transdermal system containing nitroglycerin in patients with angina pectoris. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 22: 481–485
Gerzer R, Hofmann F, Schultz G (1981) Purification of a Soluble, Sodium-Nitroprusside-Stimulated Guanylate Cyclase from Bovine Lung. Eur J Biochem 116: 479–486
Goldbarg AN, Moran JF, Butterfield TK, Nemickas R, Bermudez G (1969) Therapy of angina pectoris with propranolol and long-acting nitrates. Circulation 40: 847–853
Herman AG, Bogaert MG (1971) Organic nitrates: Tolerance at the level of the vascular smooth muscle. Arch Int Pharmacodyn 192: 200–202
Horowitz JD, Antmann EM, Lorell BH, Barry WH, Smith TW (1983) Potentiation of the cardiovascular effects of nitroglycerin by N-acetylcysteine. Circulation 68: 1247–1253
Horwitz LD, Herman MV, Gorlin R (1972) Clinical response to nitroglycerin as a diagnostic test of coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 29: 149–153
Ignarro LJ, Gruetter CA (1980) Requirement of thiols for activation of coronary arterial guanylate, cyclase by glyceryl trinitrate and sodium nitrite: possible involvement of S-nitrosothiols. Biochim Biophys Acta 631: 221
Ignarro LJ, Lippton H, Edwards JC, Baricos WH, Hyman AL, Kadowitz PJ, Gruetter CA (1981) Mechanism of vascular smooth muscle relaxation by organic nitrates, nitrites, nitroprusside and nitric oxide: Evidence for the involvement of S-nitrosothiols as active intermediates. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 218: 739–749
Jansen W, Osterspey A, Tauchert M, Schmid G, Schell U, Fuchs M, Hombach V, Hilger HH (1982) 5-Isosorbidmononitrat unter Ruhe- und Belastungsbedingungen bei koronarer Herzkrankheit. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 107: 1499–1506
Jansen W, Osterspey A, Metternich M, Weste S, Hombach V, Fuchs M, Tauchert M, Hilger HH (1983) Fehlende Toleranzentwicklung unter chronischer Behandlung mit täglich 60 mg Isosorbiddinitrat oder 60 mg 5-Isosorbidmononitrat. Herz/Kreislauf 15: 338–353
Jansen W, Ulbrich T, Osterspey A, Simon M, Tauchert M, Hilger HH (1983) Hämodynamik und Belastbarkeit bei unterschiedlicher Nitroglycerinpflaster-Dosierung. Z Kardiol [Suppl 2] 72:65
Kaiser H, Sold G, Sehrader J, Kreuzer H (1983) Development of tolerance and peripheral hemodynamic effects of Molsidomine. In: Kaltenbach M, Kober G (eds) Nitrates and nitrate tolerance in angina pectoris. Steinkopff, Darmstadt, pp 101–106
Keith RA, Burkman AM, Sokoloski TD, Fertel RH (1982) Vascular tolerance to nitroglycerin and cyclic GMP generation in rat aortic smooth muscle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 221: 525–531
Klein HO, Ninio R, Blank I, DiSegni E, Beker B, Dean H, David D, Oren V, Kuplinsky E (1983) Prolonged (24 hour or more) hemodynamic effect of a slow-release nitroglycerin ointment. A radionuclide study. Circulation [Suppl III] 68: 406
Klock JC (1975) Nonocclusive coronary disease after chronic exposure to nitrates: Evidence for physiologic nitrate dependence. Am Heart J 89: 510–513
Kraupp O, Benke Th., Placheta P, Stanek B, Raberger G (1980) Die Wirkung einer einmaligen sowie chronischen Verabreichung von Isoket auf die Plasma-Renin-Aktivität von Hunden. In: Rudolph W, Schrey A (eds) Nitrate II, Wirkung auf Herz und Kreislauf. Urban and Schwarzen-berg, Munic, pp 17–20
Kukovetz WR, Holzmann S (1983) Mechanism of nitrate-induced vasodilatation and tolerance. Z Kardiol [Suppl 3] 72: 14–19
Lange RL, Reid MS, Tresch DD, Keelan MH, Bernhard VM, Collidge G (1972) Nonatheroma-tous ischemic heart disease following withdrawal from chronic industrial nitroglycerin exposure. Circulation 46: 666–678
Lee G, Mason DT, Amsterdam EA, Miller RR, DeMaria AN (1978) Antianginal efficacy of oral therapy with isosorbide dinitrate capsules. Chest 73: 327–332
Leier CV, Huss P, Magoriln RD, Unverferth DV (1983) Improved exercise capacity and differing arterial and venous tolerance during chronic isosorbide dinitrate therapy for congestive heart failure. Circulation 67: 817–822
Livesley B, Cattey PB, Campbell RC, Oram S (1973) Double-blind evaluation of verapamil, propranolol, and isosorbide dinitrate against a placebo in the treatment of angina pectoris. Br Med J 1: 375–378
Lund RP, Höggendal J, Johnsson G (1968) Withdrawal symptoms in workers exposed to nitroglycerine. Br J Ind Med 25: 136–138
Mannes GA, Goebel G, Kafka W, Rudolph W (1978) Behandlung der Angina pectoris mit Molsidomine. Herz 3: 172–184
McGregor M (1982) The nitrates and myocardial ischemia. Circulation 66: 689–692
Murrell W (1879) Nitro-glycerine as a remedy for angina pectoris. Lancet I: 284
Needleman P, Johnson EM (1973) Mechanism of tolerance development to organic nitrates. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 184: 709–715
Needleman P, Jakschik B, Johnson EM, Jr. (1973) Sulfhydryl requirement for relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 187: 324–331
Niederer W, Bethge HD, Bachmann K (1983) Hemodynamic and ventricular dynamic investigations of nitrate tolerance. In: Kaltenbach M, Kober G (eds) Nitrates and nitrate tolerance in angina pectoris. Steinkopff, Darmstadt, pp 65–73
Noack E (1982) Pharmakologische Basis für die Therapie mit organischen Nitraten. Herz 7: 275–285
Olivari M, Carlyle P, Levine BS, Cohn J (1983) Hemodynamic and hormonal response to transdermal nitroglycerin in normal subjects and in patients with congestive heart failure. J Am Coll Cardiol 2: 872–888
Osterspey A, Jansen W, Tauchert M, Schell V, Fuchs M, Hombach V, Hilger HH (1983) Hämodynamische Wirkung von Molsidomin bei Akutgabe und Langzeitmedikation. Med Welt 34: 523–528
Packer M, Meiler J, Medina N, Gorlin R, Herman MV (1979) Rebound hemodynamic events after the abrupt withdrawal of nitroprusside in patients with severe chronic heart failure. N Engl J Med 301: 1193–1197
Packer M, Meiler J, Medina N, Yushak M, Gorlin R (1981) Determinants of drug responses in severe chronic heart failure. Activation of vasoconstrictor forces during vasodilatator therapy. Circulation 64: 506–514
Parker JO, Fung HL, Ruggirello D, Stone JA (1983) Tolerance to isosorbide dinitrate: rate of development and reversal. Circulation 68: 1074–1080
Parker JO, VanKoughnett KA, Fung HL (1984) Transdermal isosorbide dinitrate in angina pectoris: Effect of acute and sustained therapy. Am J Cardiol 54: 8–13
Reichek N, Goldstein RE, Redwood DR, Epstein SE (1974) Sustained effects of nitroglycerin ointment in patients with angina pectoris. Circulation 50: 348–352
Reichek N, Priest Ch, Zimrin D, Chandler Th, Raichlen JS, Martin G (1983) Antianginal effects of nitroglycerin patches do not last 24 hours. Circulation [Suppl III] 68: 407
Rietbrock N, Woodcock BG (1984) Toleranz oder hämodynamische Adaptation unter Nitrattherapie. DMW 109: 163–165
Rinaldi G, Cingolani H (1983) The effect of substituted sydnonimes on coronary smooth muscle relaxation and cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels. Circulation 68: 1315–1320
Rudolph W, Blasini R, Reiniger G, Brügmann V (1983) Tolerance development during isosor-bide dinitrate treatment: Can it be circumvented? Z Kardiol [Suppl III] 72: 195–198
Rudolph W, Dirschinger J, Kraus F, Blasini R, Reiniger G, Hall D (1984) Behandlung der Angina pectoris mit Nitraten. Med Klin 79: 564–569
Schelling JL, Lasagna L (1967) A study of cross-tolerance to circulatory effects of organic nitrates. Clin Pharmacol Ther 3: 256–260
Schneider W, Stahl B, Bussmann WD, Kaltenbach M (1983) Long-term effects of high-dose ISDN therapy in patients with coronary heart disease. In: Kaltenbach M, Kober G (eds) Nitrates and nitrate tolerance in angina pectoris. Steinkopff, Darmstadt, pp 131–137
Schneider W, Wietschorek A, Bussmann WD, Kaltenbach M (1983) Sustained antianginal efficacy of oral high-dose isosorbide dinitrate in patients with coronary heart disease. Z Kardiol [Suppl 3] 72: 259–267
Schoeller R, Huckauf H, Rennhak V, Riebesel T, Brüggemann T, Biamino G (1983) Äquivalenz von Isosorbiddinitrat und Isosorbid-5-Mononitrat auf die belastungsinduzierte Ischämiereaktion im EKG. Z Kardiol [Suppl 2] 72: 70
Schrey A (1981) Toleranz bei Nitropräparaten? Med Klin 76: 699–702
Shang SJ, Pepine CJ (1977) Transient asymptomatic STsegment depression during daily activity. Am J Cardiol 39: 396–402
Silber S, Schwaiger M, Klein U, Rudolph W (1980) Quantitative Beurteilung der linksventrikulären Funktion mit der Radionuklid-Ventrikulographie. Herz 5: 146–158
Silber S, Krause K, Garner Ch, Theisen K, Jahrmärker H (1983) Anti-ischemic effects of an 80 mg tablet of isosorbide dinitrate in sustained-release form before and after 2 weeks treatment with 80 mg once daily or twice daily. Z Kardiol [Suppl 3] 72: 211–217
Silber S, Krause K, Garner Ch, Theisen K (1983) Kombinierte Anwendung von Belastungs-EKG und Belastungs-Radionuklid-Ventrikulographie zur Beurteilung von Wirkungsausmaß und -dauer einer Einzeltablette 80 mg Isosorbiddinitrat-retard. Z Kardiol [Suppl 2] 72: 24
Sponer G, Dietmann K, Strein K, Bartsch W (1981) Significance of dosage interval for the development of tolerance to isosorbide-5-mononitrate in conscious dogs. IRCS Med Sci 9: 619
Stewart DD (1905) Tolerance to nitroglycerin. JAMA 44: 1678–1679
Thadani U, Manyari D, Parker JO, Fung HL (1980) Tolerance to the circulatory effects of oral isosorbide dinitrate. Circulation 61: 526–535
Thadani U, Fung HL, Darke AC, Parker JO (1982) Oral isosorbide dinitrate in angina pectoris: comparison of duration of action and dose-response relation during acute and sustained therapy. Am J Cardiol 49: 411–419
Vogt A, Bernhardt S, Schwarck H, Stroh E, Kreuzer H (1983) Comparative hemodynamic study of IS-5-MN and ISDN in man — which are equieffective doses? Z Kardiol [Suppl 3] 72: 182–184
Weber E, Gundert-Remy U, Schrey A (1977) Compliance stationärer und ambulanter Patienten — Ergebnisse eigener Studien. In: Weber E et al (eds) Patientencompliance. Witzstrock, Baden-Baden, pp 45–49
Winsor T, Berger HJ (1975) Oral nitroglycerin as a prophylactic antianginal drug: clinical, physiologic, and statistical evidence of efficacy based on a three-phase experimental design. Am Heart J 90: 611–626
Zelis R, Mason DT (1975) Isosorbide dinitrate. Effect on the vasodilator response to nitroglycerin. JAMA 234: 166–170
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1985 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Silber, S. (1985). Clinical Relevance of Nitrate Tolerance. In: Cohn, J.N., Rittinghausen, R. (eds) Mononitrates. International Boehringer Mannheim Symposia. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70234-1_18
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70234-1_18
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-15107-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-70234-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive