Trimetazidine. A review of its use in stable angina pectoris and other coronary conditions.

UNLABELLED

The orally administered antianginal agent trimetazidine increases cell tolerance to ischaemia by maintaining cellular homeostasis. In theory, this cytoprotective activity should limit myocyte loss during ischaemia in patients with angina pectoris. Data from studies in patients with coronary artery disease indicate that, unlike the effects of other antianginals, the anti-ischaemic effects of trimetazidine 20 mg are not associated with alterations in haemodynamic determinants of myocardial oxygen consumption such as heart rate, systolic blood pressure and the rate-pressure product. Furthermore, limited evidence suggests trimetazidine may improve left ventricular function in patients with chronic coronary artery disease or ischaemic cardiomyopathy and in patients experiencing acute periods of ischaemia when undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Clinical studies have shown that oral trimetazidine 20 mg 3 times daily reduces the frequency of anginal attacks and nitroglycerin use and increases exercise capacity when used as monotherapy in patients with angina pectoris. Its clinical effects are broadly similar to those of nifedipine 40 mg/day and propranolol 120 to 160 mg/day but, unlike these agents, trimetazidine does not affect the rate-pressure product during peak exercise or at rest. Adjunctive trimetazidine 60 mg/day reduces the frequency of anginal attacks and nitroglycerin use and improves exercise capacity in patients with angina pectoris not sufficiently controlled by conventional antianginal agents. Furthermore, the drug appears to be more effective than isosorbide dinitrate 30 mg/day when used adjunctively in patients with angina pectoris poorly controlled by propranolol 120 mg/day. The tolerability profile of trimetazidine 60 mg/day was similar to that of placebo when used as add-on therapy in patients with angina pectoris insufficiently controlled by other antianginal agents and was superior to that of either nifedipine 40 mg/day or propranolol 120 to 160 mg/day when used as monotherapy. The most frequently reported adverse events in trimetazidine recipients were gastrointestinal disorders, although the incidence of these events was low.

CONCLUSIONS

Trimetazidine is an effective and well tolerated anti-ischaemic agent which, in addition to providing symptom relief and functional improvement in patients with angina pectoris, has a cytoprotective action during ischaemia. The drug is suitable for initial use as monotherapy in patients with angina pectoris and, because of its different mechanism of action, as adjunctive therapy in those with symptoms not sufficiently controlled by nitrates, beta-blockers or calcium antagonists. The role of trimetazidine in other coronary conditions has yet to be clearly established.