Treatment of Angina Pectoris with Cinchona Alkaloids

Abstract

Reports indicating the value of quinidine sulfate in angina pectoris led to (1) a search for related drugs which were equally effective but less toxic, and (2) a study of the mode of action of these drugs. It was found that quinidine, quinine, cinchonadine, and cinchamidine decrease the frequency of attacks in daily life and increase the exercise tolerance as measured by a standardized test. Quinine sulfate (0.3 to 0.4 Gm. every eight hours) appears to be the drug of choice from the standpoint of availability and low toxicity as well as effectiveness. The value of these drugs is apparently due to a vasodilating action which in turn is dependent on the presence of the quinoline ring.