alternative to nitro-patch

[trapper36]

I am a 74 year old male living with my wife in a Seniors Community in Manitoba Canada.
I had Stent installed in RCA in Aug 2005.
Angiogram in Oct 2005.
Mibi-Scan in Jan 2006.
Angiogram in Apr 2006.
Stress Test in Nov 2008.
Echocardiogram in May 2009.

I take: Liptor 10mg. 1/day
Metoprolol 25mg. 2/day
Altace 2.5mg. 1/day
Plavix 75mg. 1/day
ASA 81mg. 1/day
Wear .6mg Nitro-patch daily.
Plus, I carry Nitro-spray to use, if and when needed.

My Angina is quite stable now and my question is:

Is there such a thing as a one/day nitro pill that I could switch to, in place of the patch?

[trapper36]

I'm not sure if there is a special benefit to the nitro-patch ---- that I'm on. But, will talk to my Doctor about it when I see him on Aug 9th.

Thanks for reply.

[kenkeith]

I have been taking a nitrate (Isosorbide) for several years. I have an exercise routine 3 times a week and I take the nitrate prior to going for a workout.  The medication is effective for almost all day.  I also have sublinqual nitro that is fast acting and useful for immediate relief if there is angina....almost never necessary.

I have never tried a patch...is there a special benefit?

With a nitrate (slow acting) one can build up a tolerance, so it is necessary to have intervals without. Works out well for me with 3 times a week

[ChatterAlly]

Yes, I have a problem wearing patches myself.  I would suggest the Isosorbide long acting.  It is taken once a day. Take care.

[trapper36]

Thanks for your replies:
I have a friend who takes a one/day pill instead of the nitro-patch that I use. He lives a few hundred miles from me but was in to see us yesterday when he mentioned that he takes a pill once/day instead of wearing the nitro-patch. They had him on the patch at first but he was allergic to it and his Cardiologist had to make the change. My friend is happy with the change.

I have a bit of a problem with the patch. The skin gets red and  a bit sore where I wear the patch and sometimes I think I might run out of places to apply the patch.

I will discuss it with my family Doctor as I have appointment to see him on Aug 9th. I'll see what he thinks about the idea.

[ChatterAlly]

If your angina is stable now, why would you want to change?  Is there some side effect that is bothersome to you?  I use the sublingual (sp) tablet form myself.  But there is also the long acting type nitrate such as Isosorbide that is also in pill form.  It comes in different strengths and also has a long acting pill taken once a day.. I take that 3 times a day and use the Nitro Quick pill under my tongue when I get the chest pains.

[Flycaster305]

Investigate Imdur, or the generic equivalent, that's what I take.  It's a slow-release nitro product that works well for me.