Nitroglycerin

Brand Names

Nitroglycerin, Nitro-Bid, Nitrol Appli-Kit, Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, NitroMist, Rectiv

What is Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of medications called vasodilators. This medicine is used for a few different purposes. The most common use of this drug is treating or preventing chest pain (angina). It works by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not need to work as hard and therefore does not need as much oxygen.

It is available in several forms, including tablets, capsules, patches, an ointment and an intravenous (IV) solution.

Side effects of Nitroglycerin

The most common side effects of Nitroglycerin include:

• flushing
• lightheadedness
• dizziness

Once you have noticed the following serious side effects, you should stop taking this medication and inform your doctor as soon as possible:

• blurred vision
• dry mouth
• chest pain
• fainting
• rash, blistering, or peeling of the skin
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• nausea
• vomiting
• weakness
• sweating
• pale skin

Indication

Nitroglycerin spray and tablets are used for treatment of episodes of angina (chest pain) in people who have coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). The spray and tablets may also be taken just before activities that may cause episodes of angina in order to prevent the angina from occurring. Nitroglycerin extended-release (long-acting) capsules are used to prevent episodes of angina in people who have coronary artery disease. The extended-release capsules can only be used to prevent angina attacks; they cannot be used to treat an attack once it has begun.

Precautions

It is very important to inform your doctor if you:

• Have anemia
• Have increased intracranial pressure (increased pressure within the skull)
• Have low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Have dehydration
• Have any allergies, including to foods, dyes or preservatives
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or thinking of becoming pregnant

Dosage forms

Nitroglycerin dose for Angina treatment

Nitroglycerin tablets (Nitrostat) and spray (Nitrolingual, NitroMist) are beneficial in the treatment of attacks of chest pain that have already started. In general, use one spray or tablet every 5 minutes (up to 3 doses within 15 minutes) until the chest pain improves. If you use a third spray or tablet and your chest pain continues, it is time to seek immediate medical attention. You may be having a heart attack or other serious heart problem.

It is not recommended use nitroglycerin more frequently or at a higher dose than absolutely necessary. Using it too often can result in a tolerance to the drug which means your body becomes accustomed to it and no longer responds to the medication.

Nitroglycerin dose for Anal Fissure treatment

Nitroglycerin 0.4% ointment (Rectiv) is used for treating anal fissures. The standard starting dosage for Rectiv for treating pain due to anal fissures in adults is one inch of ointment (375 mg of ointment, containing 1.5 mg of nitroglycerin) applied every 12 hours, for up to 3 weeks.

Usually, one inch of the ointment is first applied to the finger (which has been covered with a glove, finger cot, or plastic wrap). Then the ointment is gently applied inside the anus by inserting the finger no further than the first finger joint. If this is too painful, simply start by applying it to the outside of the anus.