ABSTRACT
In order to improve patient's compliance in taking glycerine trinitrate [GTN] nylon hollow fiber which has been successfully used for release of chlorhexidine diacetate and levonorgestrel was employed to make nylon hollow fiber releasing GTN. Hollow nylon fibres of external diameter 0.63 mm, 75 mm long with an internal capacity of 16 micro l, were filled with GTN [190 mg/ml] in 70% ethanol [v/v] or vehicle alone and the ends were heat-sealed. The fibers were then immersed in 10 ml of 0.9% [w/v] saline in a separating funnel. The GTN release pattern from fiber, the effect of the product on blood pressure and its potential dermal toxicity were assessed. The release of GTN from the fibres was approximately 2.7 micro g/min when the fibres contained 16 mg of drug. The results showed that the amount of GTN within the single fibre was enough to reduce blood pressure significantly, while it did not show significant dermal toxicity. It is concluded that GTN fiber, if used as monofilament, is not an alternative method for GTN delivery