Nitroglycerin might react with other drugs

DURHAM, N.C., Aug 16, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A study by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute concerning how the drug nitroglycerin relieves chest pain has reportedly raised some concerns.

Institute investigators at Duke University Medical Center explained nitroglycerin relaxes blood vessels to boost blood flow, yet the mechanism by which the drug works is a matter of scientific controversy.

But the study's findings bolster earlier concerns the drug may be ineffective for certain patients, and may place others at risk. The researchers said the results also suggest certain other drugs should be avoided by patient's taking the blood vessel dilator, since those drugs might counteract nitroglycerin's effects.

Such drugs include sulfonylureas used by diabetics, chloral hydrates used for sleep disorders and acetaminophen, such as in Tylenol, the researchers said, adding alcohol may also block the effect of nitroglycerin.

The research will appear in the Aug. 23 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and is now available online.