The present invention pertains to a short acting NO donor for use in a method of reducing side effects of a treatment with said short acting NO donor, comprising administering during a defined time period a gradually increasing amount of said short acting NO donor in an intermitting manner. The present invention is further directed to a short acting NO donor for use in a method for the prevention or treatment of an arterial insufficiency, wherein the NO donor is administered in an intermitting manner, and wherein during the initial phase of the administration, the amount of said short acting NO donor is gradually increased.