Long-acting isosorbide mononitrate

Elantan(R) long(1) (EL) is the only long-acting isosorbide mononitrate form ulation based on a controlled membrane principle. 30% of the dose is availa ble for immediate release and the remaining 70% is gradually released over time. After oral administration, isosorbide mononitrate EL has a quick onset of a ction (30 minutes) and effects are evident for up to 17 hours. The antianginal effects of once-daily isosorbide mononitrate EL 50 to 100mg were generally similar to those of conventional isosorbide mononitrate or isosorbide dinitrate 10 to 20mg twice or 3 times daily, or sustained-releas e nifedipine 20mg twice or 3 times daily. Patients tended to show a better response with once-daily isosorbide mononitrate EL 50mg than with bupranolo l 100mg. Patients showed significantly greater improvement in some quality-of-life i ndices with once-daily isosorbide mononitrate EL than with twice or 3 times daily regimens of conventional isosorbide mononitrate or isosorbide dinitr ate. Tolerance did not develop after 13 months of once-daily administration of i sosorbide mononitrate EL. No rebound increase in incidence of ischaemic epi sodes was observed after discontinuation of the drug.