Nitroglycerin
About Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin belongs to the class of anti-anginal medication, primarily used for treating angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. Nitroglycerin can also use to control intraoperative blood pressure. Angina occurs when the heart does not get a sufficient amount of oxygen. A heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI) is a critical medical emergency in which the blood supply to the heart is suddenly cut off.
Nitroglycerin contains nitroglycerin, a natural vasodilator that works by relaxing the blood vessels (veins and arteries). This boosts the blood supply to your heart, allowing more oxygen to reach your heart muscles and reducing chest pain. Thus, it prevents and treats various heart conditions.
Nitroglycerin is administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. Sometimes, you may experience headaches, hypotension, tachycardia (fast heart rate), dyspnea (shortness of breath), dizziness, light-headedness, and blurred vision as side effects. Most of these side effects are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic or hypersensitive to any component present in Nitroglycerin. If you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, plan to have a baby, or if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before receiving this medicine; your doctor will prescribe Nitroglycerin only if the benefits outweigh the risk. Avoiding alcohol is recommended to rule out any possibility of side effects like dizziness or fainting. It should not be given to children less than 18 years of age. Before taking the Nitroglycerin, inform your doctor about your medical history and ongoing medications to rule out any potential adverse effects or interactions.
Uses of Nitroglycerin
Medicinal Benefits
Nitroglycerin contains nitroglycerin, a natural vasodilator primarily used to treat angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. It can also help to control intraoperative hypertension. Nitroglycerin works by relaxing the muscles surrounding blood vessels, making the heart's job easier.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Nitroglycerin
- Headache
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
- Dyspnea
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Blurred vision
- Flushing (Reddening of the skin)
- Nervousness
- Xerostomia or dry mouth
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to nitroglycerin, any of the other ingredients of this medicine, or any other nitrates. It is not recommended to take Nitroglycerin if you have a shock (a medical condition where insufficient blood flow reaches the body tissues) or low blood pressure or low blood volume or low blood oxygen or have fluid accumulation in the lung, or have ever had a serious head injury, cerebral haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) or have or had heart conditions. It is strictly recommended not to take Nitroglycerin if you use riociguat, a medicine used to treat pulmonary hypertension. Please check with the doctor before taking the Nitroglycerin if you have/had severe liver or kidney problems, an underactive thyroid (thyroid dysfunction), or hypothermia (body temperature is lower than normal).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Nitroglycerin may interact with medicines that are used for erectile dysfunction (e.g. sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil), a medicine used in treating pulmonary hypertension (e.g. riociguat), medicines that lower blood pressure (e.g. enalapril, diltiazem, atenolol, lisinopril), anti-depressants (e.g. amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline), certain very strong pain killers (e.g. alfentanil), medicines used to treat anxiety (e.g. risperidone), NSAID (e.g. aspirin, naproxen) and medicines used to control blood phenylalanine levels (e.g. sapropterin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had shock (a medical condition where insufficient blood flow reaches the body tissues), severe anaemia (lack of red blood cells), low blood pressure, low blood volume, low blood oxygen, fluid accumulation in the lung, s head injury, cerebral haemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), heart conditions, severe liver or kidney problems, thyroid dysfunction (underactive thyroid), and hypothermia (body temperature is lower than normal).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeConcomitant use of nitrates and alcohol may cause hypotension. So intake of Nitroglycerin should be avoided with Nitroglycerin.
Pregnancy
cautionNitroglycerin should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Nitroglycerin.
Breast Feeding
cautionThe safety of Nitroglycerin is not known in breastfeeding women. So, inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Nitroglycerin.
Driving
unsafeNitroglycerin can cause dizziness. So, operating machinery and driving, which requires concentration, should be avoided.
Liver
cautionTell your doctor before receiving the Nitroglycerin if you have had a liver impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionTell your doctor before receiving the Nitroglycerin if you have had a kidney impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
unsafeSafety of Nitroglycerin is not known in children below the age of 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a cholesterol-lowering diet.
- Consume low salt and a low-fat diet.
- Exercise regularly. It helps in maintaining proper weight and lowers cholesterol.
- Limit salt and sugar intake.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Choose healthy fats and cut down on trans fat.
- Include omega-3 fatty acids, fiber-rich food, fruits, and vegetables.
- Get active by doing physical activities such as swimming, brisk walking, or jogging. Take the stairs instead of elevators/lifts.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Angina pectoris: It is a kind of chest pain caused due to decreased blood flow to the heart, which means insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle. The chest pain is often triggered by emotional stress or physical activity. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. The symptoms of angina include dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, tiredness, anxiety or excessive sweating. The risk factors for angina include smoking, diabetes, overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, not exercising, or a history of heart disease.
Myocardial infarction/Heart attack: Myocardial infarction occurs when a blood clot blocks the blood flow to the heart. This blockage of arteries is often an accumulation of fat, cholesterol and other substances, which form plaque in the arteries that feed the heart (coronary arteries). Heart attack signs include chest pain, upper body pain, sweating, nausea, fatigue, and trouble breathing.
Perioperative hypertension: Perioperative hypertension is frequently associated with one of the following events: during anaesthesia induction; intraoperatively as a result of acute pain-induced sympathetic stimulation leading to vasoconstriction
FAQs
Nitroglycerin belongs to the class of anti-anginal medication, primarily used for treating angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. Nitroglycerin can also use to control intraoperative blood pressure.
Nitroglycerin contains Nitroglycerin, a natural vasodilator that relaxes the muscles surrounding blood vessels, making the heart's job easier.
Nitroglycerin may result in hypotension (low blood pressure). Therefore, regular blood pressure monitoring is recommended while on Nitroglycerin therapy.
Nitroglycerin is prescribed when a quick response is needed or individuals cannot take tablets.
No, you should not take Nitroglycerin with the erectile dysfunction medication, such as sildenafil, vardenafil, or tadalafil, as the simultaneous administration of Nitroglycerin and these drugs can drop the blood pressure dangerously.
Yes, Nitroglycerin can cause a headache. Please increase fluid intake as it is known to cause headaches when taking Nitroglycerin. If the problem persists, consult your doctor and do as advised.
Caution should be exercised while using Nitroglycerin, especially if you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid); inform your doctor before taking Nitroglycerin because it may mask your symptoms or make it difficult to recognise the signs of excess thyroid hormone in the body.
