Why order Isordil when weaning off Nitro?

[lenka SRN]

My questions are as follows:

When the plan is to wean off Nitroglycerin the MD may order Isordil PO. Why might Isordil be ordered? I have a guess, but many hours of research gone bad and no definitive answer. My guess is that nitro can't be stoped cold turkey in a patient with hypertension and angina and Isordil helps this transition, but I am not able to give any rationale and I have been unsuccessful at finding a source with the answer.

Then I also need to know how many hours should Isordil be given prior to turning off NTG drip?

Thank you for your knowledge and support!

[jallen5]

i don't know the answer, but I think that because of the volume of posts on this forum, maybe if you retitle your post, you might get more responses. Maybe change to: "Isordil to wean off Nitro???" That might catch the eye of someone who knows the answer.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I do hope that someone answers because I always wanted to know that, myself. I have seen patients prescribed both. Maybe Isordil is longer acting?

[JustMe]

Hi Lenka--

You hit the nail on the head The NTG may have been prescribed for intractable angina--the SL tabs don't cut it anymore so the pt needs longer lasting relief. Pts can develop a tolerance to nitrates. Get the pain under control with NTG IV and start them on an ATC nitrate (like Isordil) and wean off the IV. Good Job! :redbeathe

[lenka SRN]

Isordil comes in extended release tabs as well. I was able to speak with a PA and he said that you develop a tolerance to Nitro which is why they would choose to wean the patient off and start them on Isordil 30-60 minutes prior to turning down the drip so that the effects of Isordil have enough time to kick in.

Just me, I am glad to know that some of my schooling is starting to pay off :cheers:

Thank you both for replying!