A review of the current literature concerning development of nitrate tolerance in the treatment of angina pectoris suggests that: development of nitrate tolerance is a clinical reality development of tolerance do not seem to differ for nitroglycerin, isosorbide-dinitrate or isosorbide-5-mononitrate a high nitrate dose seems to be more likely to induce tolerance a nitrate free interval during some part of the day or the night seems to restore vascular responsiveness by optimal use of different nitrate formulations the problem with development of tolerance may be reduced.