Nitroglycerin ointment for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether clinical trial data support the use of nitroglycerin for prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

DATA SOURCES: A literature search using MEDLINE (1966-September 2011) and EMBASE (1973-September 2011) was conducted using the search terms nitroglycerin, bone mineral density, fracture, and osteoporosis. References of identified articles were reviewed for additional citations.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All English-language articles related to the use of nitroglycerin ointment in postmenopausal women were reviewed.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Four observational studies reported significant improvements in bone mineral density of postmenopausal women with the use of nitrates. One pilot study and 2 prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials reported conflicting results regarding the efficacy of nitroglycerin ointment.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical data do not support use of nitroglycerin for this indication; its potential is limited at this time by inconclusive efficacy and a high incidence of headache. Further well-designed clinical trials demonstrating efficacy and safety of nitroglycerin ointment for prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis are needed before this medication can be recommended for routine use.