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. 1992;34(Suppl 1):5S–9S. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.1992.tb04141.x

Do nitrates differ?

H-L Fung
PMCID: PMC1381215  PMID: 1633079

Abstract

1 The organic nitrates all share a common biochemical and physiological mechanism of action.

2 The organic nitrates differ substantially in their pharmacologic potency and pharmacokinetics. In vitro potency differences appear larger than the corresponding in vivo activities.

3 The duration of action of organic nitrates, after a single immediate-release dose, is governed by the pharmacokinetics of the drug. However, the duration of action of available sustained-release preparations, whatever the nitrate or formulation, is limited to about 12 h, due to the development of pharmacologic tolerance.

4 Nitrates do not appear to differ in their production of undesirable effects.

Keywords: organic nitrates, mechanisms of action, potency, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics

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Selected References

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