Isosorbide-5-mononitrate is one of the two pharmacologically active metabolites of
isosorbide dinitrate. At variance from its parent drug, it has a longer elimination half-life, no
metabolic first-pass, and greater bioavailability, allowing once-daily administration as standard
or as sustained-release formulations. Several trials have shown that isosorbide-5-mononitrate,
in the form of sustained-released capsules administered once daily at doses ranging between 50
and 100 mg, is an effective symptomatic drug for the treatment of stable angina and chronic
heart failure (CHF), and is now indicated for these conditions by American and European guidelines.
In particular, at 80 mg once-daily sustained-release isosorbide-5-mononitrate has been
shown to have trough plasma levels below the minimum therapeutic concentration (100 ng/mL),
ensuring a nitrate-free period as sufficient as to avoid nitrate tolerance. This 80 mg dosage is the
only high dose sustained-release formulation of isosorbide-5-mononitrate currently marketed in
Italy. Isosorbide-5-mononitrate also exerts positive hemodynamic effects (reduction in filling
pressure and systemic vascular resistance, with increase in cardiac output) in heart failure in association
with standard medical therapy and hydralazine, with a positive impact on patient prognosis.
(Heart International 2007; 3: 98-111)
Ischemic heart disease, Angina pectoris, Chronic heart failure, Nitrate, High dose isosorbide-5-mononitrate, Sustained-release, Tolerance, Hemodynamics
Prof. Livio Dei Cas, Cattedra di Cardiologia, Spedali Civili, Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1, 25100 Brescia, Italy, deicas@med.unibs.it

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