[Pharmacokinetics of glycerin trinitrate (nitroglycerin) after sublingual administration in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease].

Pharmacokinetics of nitroglycerin was studied in 22 patients with ischemic heart disease associated with angina of effort after sublingual intake of 0.5 mg standard granules. The maximal blood plasma concentration of the drug was shown to occur on the average in 4.4 minutes and was 2.56 ng/ml. The half-life in plasma was on the average 6.0 minutes, apparent clearance was 21.9 l/min. The mean retention time of nitroglycerin was 9.5 minutes. Significant fluctuations of pharmacokinetic parameters during repeated examinations in the same patient as well as between the patients were revealed. A sharp asymmetry of distribution of these parameters was observed that makes it necessary to use the mean arithmetical for characterization of the pharmacokinetic parameters.