Nitroglycerin is used to treat high blood pressure during surgery, manage congestive heart failure associated with infarction and treat some forms of chest pain.
What is Nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin works by relaxing the blood vessels. It facilitates blood flow, thus reducing the workload of the heart. In this way, it ensures that the heart receives the proper amount of oxygen that it needs.
How should Nitroglycerin be taken?
Nitroglycerin can be administered intravenously via injection or orally in the form of tablets, capsules or sprays. It can also be administered via transdermal route (e.g. patches or ointments) or via rectal route (in the form of ointment).
Side effects associated with Nitroglycerin
Among the possible side effects of nitroglycerin include the following:
- Dizziness or feeling faint or lightheaded
- Headache
- Irritation at the injection site
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if you experience:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itch
- Difficulty breathing
- Tightness in chest
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue
- Tarnished vision
- Dry mouth
- Fainting
- Irregular or accelerated heartbeat
- Redness
- Excessive sweating
- Pallor
- Restlessness
- Severe or persistent dizziness or headache
- Severe or persistent nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or unusual weakness
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin can compromise the ability to drive or operate hazardous machinery, especially when taken together with alcohol or other drugs. In addition, the mix of alcohol and drugs can make nitroglycerin toxic to the human body.
The treatment can also cause dangerous dizziness when standing up from a seated or lying position. This symptom worsens during high temperatures, strenuous physical exercise, high fever, or excessive alcohol intake. Nitroglycerin can also interfere with the results of certain laboratory tests.
Nitroglycerin should not be taken in case of bleeding in the brain, stroke, swelling of the membrane surrounding the heart or blood flow problems. It is also advisable to avoid its intake if you are also taking avanafil, riociguat, sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil.
Before starting treatment with Nitroglycerin, it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients, or any other drugs or food
- You are taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: avafanil, betablocanti, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, drugs for high blood pressure, phenothiazines, riociguat, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, salicylates, long-acting nitrates, alteplase or heparin
- You are suffering (or have suffered) from heart problems, hyperthyroidism, stroke or brain hemorrhage, head trauma, anemia, low blood pressure, dehydration or hypovolemia
- You are regularly consuming alcohol
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is important to inform physicians, surgeons and dentists of any ongoing treatment with nitroglycerin.
