Table 2.

Comparison of nitrates, nicorandil and molsidomine

	Long-acting nitrates	Nicorandil	Molsidomine
Evidence for benefit in stable angina	Yes	Yes	Yes [102–104]
Randomised evidence	Yes [105]	Yes	Yes [104]
Comparison against placebo	Yes [105]	Yes	Yes [104]
Benefit as add-on to first line therapy	Yes, although poor-quality evidence [37]	Yes	Yes
Benefit in microvascular dysfunction	No [106, 107]	Yes, but limited evidence	No evidence
Concerns about tolerance and endothelial dysfunction	Yes	No	Evidence unclear [102, 108]
Cost for 28 days treatment [109]	Isosorbide mononitrate 25 mg modified-release capsules; NHS prescription price: £9	Nicorandil (20 mg twice a day); NHS prescription price: £9	Molsidomine tablets (2 mg); NHS prescription price: £9.00
	Isosorbide mononitrate MR tablets (60 mg); Basic NHS price: £10.50	Nicorandil (20 mg twice a day); Basic NHS price: £4.59
	Isosorbide dinitrate (20 mg four times a day): £29.04	Nicorandil (10 mg; 30 tablets): 30 Saudi Riyal
	Isosorbide dinitrate (10 mg; 30 tablets): 25 Saudi Riyal; (20 mg; 30 tablets): 45 Saudi Riyal	Nicorandil (20 mg; 30 tablets): 60 Saudi Riyal