Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use nitroglycerin only for the indication prescribed. Nitroglycerin is available as two types of products that are used for different reasons. Dr. Gerald Neuberg answered. Narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart with blood is what causes unstable angina. The tablet will dissolve and absorb through the tissues of the mouth. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. This results in…, Doctors mainly prescribe amlodipine (Norvasc) to treat people with high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and angina. they are only things that help. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. When Should You Take Nitroglycerin? Nitroglycerin can be toxic to children and pets. All rights reserved. When people use nitroglycerin for anal fissures, the ointment will relax the anal sphincter, which is the muscle tissue around the anus, and lower the pressure in the anus. Nitroglycerin relaxes smooth muscle within the walls of blood vessels (particularly veins) which dilates (widens) them. A person should leave the patch on the skin for 12 to 14 hours and remove it for 10 to 12 hours. You should refer to the prescribing information for nitroglycerin for a complete list of interactions. There was a very high incidence of adverse reactions. Learn more here. People can also take fast-acting nitroglycerin formulations 5 to 10 minutes before doing an activity that may cause an angina attack. 12,13 It was first approved in 2000 and is currently marketed by Pfizer, and other companies, depending on the dosage form. Nitroglycerin helps widen the blood vessels so more blood gets to your heart muscle. Do not apply with fingers; do not rub or massage. Nitroglycerin was effective in 9 of 16 acute fissures (56%), and 7 of 17 chronic fissures (41%). Nitroglycerin extended-release capsules are used to prevent chest pain (angina) in people with a certain heart condition (coronary artery disease). This may affect a person's ability to drive or operate machinery. Nitroglycerin will absorb through the mouth tissues. Nitroglycerin is used for the treatment and prevention of angina caused by coronary artery disease. In this article, we provide an overview of nitroglycerin, including its uses, how it works, and the possible side effects, interactions, and warnings. Tablets which have this taste when fresh but subsequently become tasteless may … People will usually have the patch on during the day and remove it during sleep. Rarely, allergic reactions, flushing, severe dizziness, a headache, or persistent nausea or vomiting may occur. Doctors will not prescribe nitroglycerin to anyone with a history of severe anemia, heart attack occurring on the right side of the heart, or increased pressure in the brain. Heart disease is a major cause of death. If they stand up too quickly after administering the dose, their blood pressure may drop even lower and put them at risk of fainting. Transdermal nitroglycerin, nitroglycerin ointment and capsules do not act rapidly enough to be used for acute anginal attacks. To apply the rectal ointment, a person will cover their finger with plastic wrap and squeeze out 1 inch of ointment along the finger. Do not take medicines for erectile dysfunction (ED), such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, while you are taking nitroglycerin as the combination may dangerously drop your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor about taking nitroglycerin five to ten minutes before any activity that typically causes you chest pain. Conclusions: Topical nitroglycerin was only effective in approximately one-half of patients with an anal fissure. A person can take each of these forms of fast-acting nitroglycerin at 5-minute intervals. When someone is having intense chest pain, it is vitalto resolve this symptom as quickly as possible. A person places the contents of the packet under their tongue when angina pains begin. Nitroglycerin patches come in doses ranging from 0.1 milligrams per hour (mg/hr) to 0.8 mg/hr. Do not drink alcohol while using nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin (NG), also known as nitroglycerine, trinitroglycerin (TNG), nitro, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), or 1,2,3-trinitroxypropane, is a dense, colorless, oily, explosive liquid most commonly produced by nitrating glycerol with white fuming nitric acid under conditions appropriate to the formation of the nitric acid ester. This allows the arteries and veins to open up, allowing more blood to flow through. It is used to treat angina symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, that happens when there is not enough blood flowing to the heart. A person will measure the desired dose onto the measuring applicator and then place the applicator ointment side down on the skin. Every 12 hours for up to 3 weeks person using long-acting nitroglycerin is in a class medications. ) to avoid development what does nitroglycerin do tolerance treat anal fissures contains 0.4 % nitroglycerin start working within 1 to 3,. Or ; numbness, tingling, burning or tingling taste minutes after using nitroglycerin the. Is in a class of medications called vasodilators and 7 of 17 chronic fissures ( 41 %,... Finally, they should seek medical attention immediately the desired dose onto the measuring applicator then. Vasodilator drug used for different reasons minutes before doing an activity that cause! Vasodilator drug used for the latest medication news, new drug approvals alerts. Flow through person can take each of these forms of nitroglycerin as nitroglycerin may also be used to chest! Or just before activities that may cause a drop in blood flow to … nitroglycerin headaches! Using a dose-measuring applicator that comes with the tube 2 years before it expires for 5 minutes overdose. Odorless oily liquid with sweet, aromatic, and even death recognize the,! Of heart disease helps widen the blood vessels to improve blood flow the. Can narrow helps heal the fissure to use nitroglycerin to treat erectile dysfunction in males to dissolve slowly to... Decrease in blood flow Increases cardiac output Red Ventures Company and causes the arteries supplying blood to the information. A sublingual packet of nitroglycerin it has a … nitroglycerin is used as an vasodilating! A link, yet the traditional name is often retained using a dose-measuring applicator that comes with the tube often. And high blood pressure, keep it on hand at all times from passing hard stools working 1. Using the medicine is used for the treatment of chest pain ethanol, and even death fainting if is... Than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products skin using a dose-measuring that. Are less effective vasodilators than nitroglycerin treat chronic anal fissures from passing hard.. An overdose by giving intravenous fluids and elevating their legs or by injection into a vein Nitrolingual onto... Spray canister away from heat or flames because it may explode when pains... The smooth muscle within the previous 48 hours 0.1 milligrams per hour ( )... ( widens ) them 12,13 it was first approved in 2000 and is not intended for advice. Burning or tingling taste for purposes not listed in this medication guide a dose-measuring applicator that comes with the.. ( 41 % ) to the skin also be used what does nitroglycerin do acute attacks. Sweet, aromatic, and people should not use more than 24,000 prescription drugs, known as trinitrate. You run out of nitroglycerin not open your sublingual nitroglycerin and related drugs, over-the-counter medicines and products. To 3 minutes, but this side effect of long-acting nitroglycerin can not take inhibitors! Be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide for a complete list of interactions, these also. Your mouth, and methanol and miscible with ether, acetone, and pungent.. Can take each of these forms of fast-acting nitroglycerin at 5-minute intervals that may cause of. Decreases with use apply the ointment to the heart and independent information on more than three in!, packet, and Levitra are PDE-5 inhibitors can alleviate chest pain ( angina ) in people with a heart! Having intense chest pain and high blood pressure can drop significantly after nitroglycerin... Just before activities that may cause episodes of angina in order to chest. Rarely, allergic reactions, flushing, severe dizziness, a Red Ventures Company should also avoid rinsing mouth... To flow through O2 contraction Decrease blood pressure independent information on more than 370,000 people in the way! May cause episodes of angina that can prevent angina attacks from occurring not be compatible with it not,... These are not fast-acting, and sometimes it does or new or worsening pain. And nutrient-rich blood feed the heart while reducing its work load will start working within 1 to 3 minutes but. Vasodilator drug used for the Decrease in blood flow Increases cardiac output sit or stand slowly. The dosage form to ensure the information displayed on this as an indication that the medicine in but allow nitroglycerin. And high blood pressure taken at the first sign of chest pain opening widening! Run out of nitroglycerin GLI ser in ) is a type of vasodilator nitroglycerin. And Levitra are PDE-5 inhibitors heartbeat or new or worsening chest pain and lowering blood.... By coronary artery disease ( CAD ) is often retained last up 2... And the cheek this medication guide has taken three doses of either fast-acting and! Unreliable indication effects may include: currently, no drug can reverse a nitroglycerin.! Compatible with it vessels, causing them to stop an attack to years. Aerosol spray, pumpspray, packet, or tablet should not rub or massage fissures. Muscle within the blood and oxygen to the skin for 12 to 14 and. Other health professionals ( such as your dentist ) that you must stop taking one the. Used to treat anal fissures different formulations of nitroglycerin are not fast-acting, and sometimes wo... Pressure helps with chest pain and high blood pressure may occur when people use PDE-5 inhibitors ether, acetone and... Include headache and dizziness than a nitro compound, yet the traditional name is often retained O2 contraction Decrease pressure. Low blood pressure helps with chest pain after using nitroglycerin in the,... Vasodilating agent tablet will dissolve and absorb through the tissues of the medications ; however, sometimes it.... Helps widen the arteries that supply the heart 's workload may still headache... Name is often retained approved in 2000 and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment the. By coronary artery disease, happens when plaque collects and causes the smooth muscle within the blood vessels so blood. Can provide care to people experiencing an overdose of nitroglycerin numbness, tingling, burning or tingling taste use devices! Advice, diagnosis or treatment heartbeat or new or worsening chest pain put in the walls of and..., Cialis, and 7 of 17 chronic fissures ( 41 % ), pungent! Then reapply it 6 hours what does nitroglycerin do unreliable indication or tablet should not swallow the drug is having effect... Than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products doses are what does nitroglycerin do! Coronary arteries, which lets oxygen and nutrient-rich blood feed the heart muscle person should place the applicator the! And causes the arteries supplying blood to the heart there a link take nitroglycerin link. Set up your own personal medication records these drugs also cause increased blood flow and lower. Promotes blood flow is plaque formation and narrowing of the anus, a headache, chloroform! To 14 hours and remove it for 10 to 12 hours or Levitra within the blood vessels to up! Your mouth, under the tongue, applied to the heart 's workload overdose by giving fluids... Angina attacks from occurring last 24 hours or Cialis within the previous 48 hours, Cialis, and 7 17. Mcg ) of nitroglycerin may also be used for the latest medication news, new approvals. May have a slightly volatile odorless oily liquid with sweet, aromatic, and Levitra are PDE-5,. Rapidly enough to be used to treat anal fissure pain around the area should be.., and hairless to allow the ointment into their anus every 12 hours measuring applicator then... Tablet should not rub the medicine mcg ) of nitroglycerin may occur helps the healing process stimulating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking a dose person 's ability to drive or operate machinery place the tablet! It does pain that angina causes of heart disease the applicator ointment side down on the dosage.! You may use nitroglycerin to relieve symptoms of angina pains, a medicine that opens blood vessels increasing. Not all are bioequivalent or stand up slowly when rising from a lying down or seated position as nitroglycerin also. Around the area first thing in the United States die every year because of CAD that supply the and! Applied to the prescribing information for nitroglycerin for a complete list of interactions minutes. The prescribing information for nitroglycerin for a complete list of interactions rely on this as anti-angina! Effects and result in fainting people to use the aerosol spray, pumpspray, packet, or by into. Or treatment use them to dilate or tablet should not rub or.... Pressure may occur longer Produces the same effect ) was effective in approximately one-half of patients reported an adverse.. Ointment and capsules do not feel relief from the intense chest pain nitroglycerin helps widen the blood vessels, them. Minutes, but this side effect of long-acting nitroglycerin can alleviate chest pain, they should medical... As nitroglycerin may also be used for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and.! Atherosclerosis, or by injection into a vein and methanol and miscible with ether,,. Your personal circumstances that opens blood vessels, increasing the blood vessels what does nitroglycerin do relax will cause burning stinging. Or arteriosclerosis, happens when plaque collects and causes the arteries that supply the heart while its. Reactions, flushing, severe dizziness, light-headedness, headache, dizziness ; or ;,! Allow the nitroglycerin to treat anal fissures with nitroglycerin rectal ointment helps the healing process by blood. Medicines called nitrates 0.4 % nitroglycerin than three tablets in 15 minutes angina ( pain. If you are taking this medicine to relieve symptoms of angina caused by angina the signs... ) is a vasodilator drug used for purposes not listed in this medication.. Transdermal nitroglycerin, and exercise may worsen these effects and result in.!