Acute coronary syndrome is defined as unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. A discussion on drug treatment of these conditions was arranged by the Norwegian Society of Cardiology and the Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, University of Oslo, soon after preliminary results of the GISSI II study were available. Relatively simple rules were agreed for the use of analgetics, nitrates and fibrinolytic agents. The last are used only after established myocardial injury. Consensus was also reached on the restricted use of calcium antagonists, inotropic agents and diuretics. There was disagreement concerning the dosage of heparin and the exact use of betablockers, aspirin, warfarin, ACE-inhibitors, magnesium and antiarrhythmics.