Alinidine in angina

Alinidine--N-allyl-clonidine--reduces heart rate without blocking beta adrenoreceptors. It may be used in patients with angina without inducing the adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockers. We therefore evaluated alinidine efficacy in patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease and stable angina during a 10-wk placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial. Alinidine (40 mg three times a day) reduced the number of anginal attacks and the average number of nitroglycerine capsules consumed. The double product was slightly lowered during rest but more pronounced during exercise. This effect was mainly due to decreased heart rate. The ischemic S-T segment depression was diminished. Exercise tolerance was clearly improved in six, slightly improved in two, and unchanged in four subjects.