Issues for surgery
For treatment of angina – exacerbation of symptoms if omitted.
Risk of tachycardia and hypotension if continued.
Advice in the perioperative period
Elective and emergency surgery
Continue – monitor heart rate and blood pressure (BP).
Post-operative advice
Restart post-operatively as soon as next dose is due.
Interactions with common anaesthetic agents
Hypotension
Nitrates can increase the risk of hypotension when used concomitantly with inhalational or intravenous anaesthetics.
Sympathomimetics
Isosorbide dinitrate can act as a physiological antagonist to noradrenaline/norepinephrine.
Interactions with other common medicines used in the perioperative period
Hypotension
Nitrates can increase the risk of hypotension when used concomitantly with the antiemetics droperidol and prochlorperazine.
Further information
Tolerance
Many patients on long-acting or transdermal nitrates rapidly develop tolerance (with reduced therapeutic effects). Reduction of blood-nitrate concentrations to low levels for 4-12 hours each day usually maintains effectiveness. If tolerance is suspected during use of transdermal patches, they should be left off for 8-12 hours (usually overnight).
For patients on modified-release (MR) isosorbide dinitrate or standard release isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN), the second of the two daily doses should be given no later than 8 hours after the morning dose. MR preparations of ISMN should only be given once daily, and used in this way do not produce tolerance.
Ensure that nitrate-based medicines are prescribed accurately and appropriately.
References
Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 5th May 2019]
Baxter K, Preston CL (eds), Stockley’s Drug Interactions (online) London: Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 5th May 2019]
Summary of Product Characteristics – Isosorbide Dininitrate 20mg Tablets. Accord-UK Ltd. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 02/10/2019 [date of revision of the text June 2015]
Summary of Product Characteristics – Minitran® (glyceryl trinitrate) 5 mg/ 24h, Transdermal Patch. Mylan Products Limited. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 05/05/2019 [date of revision of the text July 2018