Efficacy of isosorbide dinitrate tape on exercise tolerance of patients with angina pectoris

Evaluation was made on the efficacy of isosorbide dinitrate tape (ISDN tape, TY-0081, Frandol Tape), a preparation newly developed in Japan, regarding the relationship between the exercise tolerance in patients with stable effort angina pectoris and plasma concentrations of ISDN. Placebo(s) or one to three pieces of isosorbide dinitrate tape (10 cm x 10 cm in size, containing 40 mg/tape) were applied to the patients and ISDN plasma concentrations were measured every 6th(15:00) and 24th (9:00) h after each application (9:00). Treadmill tests were repeated for the measurement of exercise tolerance according to a prescribed protocol where the exercise endpoint was the occurrence of chest pain. Correlation was found between the number of ISDN tape applied and the plasma concentrations, as well as between the isosorbide dinitrate plasma concentration and treadmill exercise time in 7 cases out of 10. Exercise time was increased significantly by the application of one piece of ISDN tape or two to three pieces of the tape, compared to the control or placebo study, respectively. The duration of actions lasted more than 24 h. These results suggest the efficacy of ISDN tape on angina pectoris, especially in its durability of action which lasts over 24 h.