Lack of antagonism between nicorandil and sulfonylurea in stable angina pectoris.

The aim of this study was to clarify whether or not nicorandil (a potassium channel opener) caused adverse reactions in patients with angina pectoris who also had diabetes mellitus treated with sulfonylurea (a potassium channel inhibitor). Nineteen diabetic patients with angina pectoris were enrolled, eight were treated with glibenclamide (group A) and 11 were not (group B). Treadmill exercise testing and frequency of anginal attacks were used to evaluate the severity of angina pectoris. Blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c were measured for evaluation of diabetes mellitus control. Exercise tolerance, frequency of anginal attacks and diabetes mellitus control were not perturbed by treatment in either group. In conclusion, there were no antagonistic reactions from the combination of nicorandil with sulfonylurea in angina pectoris complicated by diabetes mellitus.