Nitroglycerin
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Drug Status
Government Approvals
US(FDA), UK(BNF)
WHO Essential Medicine
NO
Known Teratogen
No
Pharmaceutical Class
Nitrate Vasodilator
Controlled Drug Substance
No

Nitroglycerin
Summary
Nitroglycerin is primarily used to treat or prevent chest pain, known as angina, caused by heart problems. It can also manage heart failure and high blood pressure in certain cases.
Nitroglycerin works by converting into a gas, nitric oxide, that relaxes and widens blood vessels. This allows blood to flow more easily, reducing the workload on your heart, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the heart's need for oxygen.
Nitroglycerin tablets are placed under the tongue to dissolve quickly. If you have chest pain, put one tablet under your tongue. You can take another tablet every 5 minutes, but no more than 3 tablets in 15 minutes. If the pain continues, seek emergency help.
Common side effects include headaches, dizziness, and low blood pressure. Some people may experience nausea, and in rare cases, it can cause skin rashes, fainting, or worsen chest pain.
Nitroglycerin can interact with blood pressure and erectile dysfunction medications. It's not recommended for individuals with severe low blood pressure, recent heart attack, severe anemia, or those using erectile dysfunction medications due to the risk of dangerously low blood pressure.
Indications and Purpose
How does Nitroglycerin work?
Nitroglycerin is a medicine that helps your heart. It works by turning into a gas (nitric oxide) that relaxes the blood vessels. This makes the blood vessels wider, allowing blood to flow more easily. This reduces the workload on your heart, lowering blood pressure and the heart's need for oxygen. You'll feel the effects quickly, within a few minutes, and it lasts for a good while.
Is Nitroglycerin effective?
Yes, Nitroglycerin is highly effective for relieving angina and preventing further heart-related complications.
What is Nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin is a medication used to treat or prevent chest pain (angina), and to manage heart failure and high blood pressure in certain cases.
Directions for Use
For how long do I take Nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin tablets are quick-acting medicine for chest pain (angina). If you feel chest pain, put one tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve. If the pain doesn't go away, you can take another tablet after 5 minutes, and another after 5 more minutes if needed. Don't take more than three tablets in 15 minutes. If the pain continues after three tablets, go to the hospital right away.
How do I dispose of Nitroglycerin?
If you can, bring unused medicines to a drug take-back program or collection site at a pharmacy or hospital. They will dispose of this medicine properly so it doesn't harm people or the environment. If you can't find a take-back program, you can throw most medicines in the trash at home. But first, take them out of their original containers, mix them with something undesirable like used coffee grounds, seal the mixture in a plastic bag, and throw it away.
How do I take Nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin tablets are for chest pain. Put one tablet under your tongue when you feel pain. Let it dissolve. You can take another tablet every 5 minutes, but no more than 3 tablets in 15 minutes. If the pain doesn't go away after 3 tablets, call for help right away. It doesn't matter if you take it with food.
How long does it take for Nitroglycerin to start working?
Nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue dissolve quickly and get into your bloodstream very fast, working in about 6-7 minutes. Even though the main medicine is gone quickly, other related substances created by your body keep working for longer, making the overall effect last.
How should I store Nitroglycerin?
Yes, but elderly individuals may be more sensitive to side effects like low blood pressure and dizziness.
What is the usual dose of Nitroglycerin?
If you have chest pain (angina), put a small tablet (0.3-0.6 mg) of nitroglycerin under your tongue. It should start to help quickly. You can take another tablet every 5 minutes, but no more than three tablets in 15 minutes total. If the pain doesn't go away, call for emergency help right away. This medicine is only for adults.
Warnings and Precautions
Can I take Nitroglycerin with other prescription drugs?
Nitroglycerin can interact with blood pressure medications, erectile dysfunction medications, and some heart medications. Always discuss other medications with your doctor
Can Nitroglycerin be taken safely while breastfeeding?
Nitroglycerin is generally considered safe for breastfeeding, but always consult your healthcare provider.
Can Nitroglycerin be taken safely while pregnant?
Nitroglycerin should be used in pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk, as determined by your doctor.
Does Nitroglycerin have adverse effects?
Yes, empagliflozin can have adverse effects, which are unwanted reactions to a medication. Most people tolerate it well, but some may experience urinary tract infections, which are infections in the system that removes urine from your body, affecting up to 9% of users. Genital yeast infections are common, especially in women, causing itching and unusual discharge. The medication can increase urination, leading to dehydration, which means your body doesn't have enough fluids, possibly causing dizziness. A rare but serious effect is ketoacidosis, which is a dangerous buildup of acid in your blood and requires immediate medical attention. Always inform your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms while taking empagliflozin.
Does Nitroglycerin have any safety warnings?
Yes, empagliflozin has important safety warnings. It can increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a dangerous buildup of acids in the blood. This can occur even with normal blood sugar, especially if insulin doses are missed or during illness. Seek emergency help if you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or breathing problems. Empagliflozin can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluids, possibly leading to low blood pressure or kidney issues. Drink plenty of water. Serious urinary tract infections, which affect the system removing urine, can occur. Watch for painful urination, fever, or back pain. Rarely, it can cause necrotizing fasciitis, a serious bacterial infection in the genital area. Genital yeast infections are common. Regular foot care is important as it may increase amputation risk. Stop taking the medicine and seek help if you develop signs of an allergic reaction.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin tablets help your heart by relaxing blood vessels and lowering your blood pressure. Alcohol also lowers blood pressure. Taking them together could lower your blood pressure too much, which can be dangerous. It's best to avoid alcohol while using nitroglycerin.
Is it safe to exercise while taking Nitroglycerin?
- It is generally safe to exercise, but you should avoid strenuous activity if you feel dizzy or lightheaded after taking Nitroglycerin. Always follow your doctor's guidance regarding exercise.
Is it safe to stop Nitroglycerin?
No, it is not safe to stop empagliflozin suddenly. If you're using it for type 2 diabetes, stopping can cause your blood sugar levels to rise quickly. For heart failure, which is when your heart can't pump blood effectively, or kidney disease, which is damage to organs that filter waste from your blood, stopping could worsen these conditions. A dangerous complication called diabetic ketoacidosis might occur, causing harmful acids to build up in your blood, leading to nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and breathing problems. This risk continues for several days after stopping. Always talk with your doctor before stopping empagliflozin. They might suggest gradually reducing your dose or switching medications.
Is Nitroglycerin addictive?
Empagliflozin is not addictive or habit-forming. This medication doesn't cause dependency or withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. Empagliflozin works by affecting your kidneys to help remove sugar through urine. This mechanism doesn't affect brain chemistry in ways that could lead to addiction. You won't experience cravings for this medication or feel compelled to take more than prescribed. Unlike some medications that can cause psychological or physical dependence, empagliflozin doesn't create these effects. If you have concerns about medication dependence, you can feel confident that empagliflozin doesn't carry this risk while managing your health condition.
Is Nitroglycerin safe for the elderly?
Yes, but elderly individuals may be more sensitive to side effects like low blood pressure and dizziness.
What are the most common side effects of Nitroglycerin?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can happen when taking a medication. With empagliflozin, these effects vary from person to person. The most common side effect is urinary tract infections, which affect about 8-9% of people taking this medication. Women may experience genital yeast infections, which occur in about 2-5% of female patients. Men can also get genital yeast infections, but this happens less frequently. Some people notice they urinate more often when taking empagliflozin, which happens in about 1-3% of patients. Upper respiratory infections, which affect your nose, throat, and airways, occur in about 4% of people taking this medication. If you notice new symptoms after starting empagliflozin, they might be temporary or unrelated to the medication. Talk with your doctor before stopping any medication.
Who should avoid taking Nitroglycerin?
- People with severe low blood pressure, recent heart attack, or severe anemia should avoid it.
- Not recommended for individuals using erectile dysfunction medications (e.g., sildenafil) due to the risk of dangerously low blood pressure.