People with coronary heart disease often have prescriptions for nitroglycerin. Some use it continuously to prevent anginal pain, while others keep it on hand for sudden painful angina attacks. Here's news for both types of nitroglycerin users:

• Adding a supplement called l-arginine can keep you from developing tolerance to nitroglycerin, which is a common problem among people on continuous therapy such as that provided by the nitroglycerin patches. Patients who were given this supplement did not develop tolerance and were able to significantly improve their exercise tolerance without pain. Those who took a placebo developed complete tolerance to the nitroglycerin - it had no effect on them at all.

• Many patients who use nitroglycerin only when needed fail to keep their medication fresh. A survey found than nearly one in four people who had a prescription for nitroglycerin had an outdated supply. The pills only retain their strength after the bottle is opened for six months to a year. They may stay effective for up to a year if stored unopened in a cool, dry place - but your bathroom medicine cabinet is neither cool nor dry. An alternative is a nitroglycerin spray, which lasts for two years and can be stored almost anywhere. It also works faster than the tablets.

Related information Medications

Sources:

• American College of Cardiology. Supplement can prevent nitroglycerin tolerance for angina patients. Highlights from the April 3, 2002, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
• Grant L. is your nitroglycerin ready for action? Heart & Health Reports, March 2002, p 2.