Potassium Channel Activators and Vasodilators
Potassium Channel Activators
(Nicorandil)
These work partly like a nitrate and partly like a calcium antagonist. They can be used alone or in combination with other drugs. They may be helpful when other drugs are not well tolerated.
Vasodilators
(Isosorbide mononitrate tablets and patches and Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) tablets and spray)
Nitrates open up the coronary arteries by relaxing the muscles in the artery walls and so reduce the work the heart has to do. GTN is used under the tongue for very fast effect.