Nitrodisc

Nitroglycerin is a prescription medication used to treat or prevent episodes of angina (sudden chest pain). Nitroglycerin belongs to a group of drugs called nitrates which work by relaxing (widening) blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood.

This medication comes in tablet form to be dissolved under the tongue or between the cheek and gum at the first sign of chest pain. The dose may be repeated every 5 minutes until chest pain is relieved. Seek emergency medical attention if the pain persists after 3 doses.

Common side effects of nitroglycerin include headache, dizziness, and weakness.

Nitroglycerin is a prescription medicine used to treat and prevent angina associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Nitroglycerin may cause the following side effects:

• headache
• vertigo (a major symptom of balance disorder)
• dizziness
• weakness
• heart palpitations (unusual awareness of the heartbeat)
• low blood pressure upon rising from a seated position
• nausea and vomiting
• sweating
• paleness
• fainting
• flushing (warm or red condition of your skin)
• other skin reactions that may be severe

Nitroglycerin may cause a false test result of decreased serum cholesterol.

Tell your doctor if you are concerned about any side effects you experience. These are not all the possible side effects of nitroglycerin. For a complete list, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• any medicines that are used to treat angina, heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat.
• any medicines that reduce blood pressure.
• any diuretics (water pills).
• medications to treat depression or psychiatric illness.
• ergotamine or similar drugs for migraine headaches.
• aspirin.
• the blood thinner medicine heparin.
• any medicines for erectile dysfunction.

Do not consume alcohol while taking nitroglycerin, as this can lower your blood pressure.

This is not a complete list of nitroglycerin drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Do not use nitroglycerin if you are allergic to organic nitrates.

You should not take nitroglycerin if you have the following conditions:

• very recent heart attack
• severe anemia
• increased pressure in the head

Do not take nitroglycerin with drugs for erectile dysfunction, like Viagra (sildenafil citrate), Cialis (tadalafil), or Levitra (vardenafil hydrochloride), as this may lead to extreme lowering of your blood pressure.

• Do not breastfeed. It is not known if nitroglycerin will pass through your milk.
• Do not consume alcohol while taking nitroglycerin, as this can lower your blood pressure.
• Do not start any new prescription or non-prescription medicines or supplements, unless you check with your doctor first.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of nitroglycerin, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before using nitroglycerin, tell your doctor if you are taking:

• any medicines that are used to treat angina, heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat.
• any medicines that reduce blood pressure.
• any diuretics (water pills).
• medications to treat depression or psychiatric illness.
• ergotamine or similar drugs for migraine headaches.
• aspirin.
• the blood thinner medicine heparin.
• any medicines for erectile dysfunction.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known if nitroglycerin will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. It is not known if nitroglycerin is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.

• Do not chew, crush, or swallow nitroglycerin tablets.
• You should sit down when taking nitroglycerin tablets and use caution when you stand up. This eliminates the possibility of falling due to lightheadedness or dizziness.
• One tablet should be dissolved under the tongue or in the oral cavity at the first sign of chest pain.
• The dose may be repeated approximately every 5 minutes, until the chest pain is relieved.
• If the pain persists after a total of 3 tablets in a 15-minute period, or is different than you typically experience, call your doctor or seek emergency help.
• Nitroglycerin may be used 5 to 10 minutes prior to activities that might cause chest pain.
• You may feel a burning or tingling sensation in your mouth when you take nitroglycerin.
• Do not breastfeed. It is not known if nitroglycerin will pass through your milk.
• Do not consume alcohol while taking nitroglycerin, as this can lower your blood pressure.
• Do not start any new prescription or non-prescription medicines or supplements, unless you check with your doctor first.

If you take too much nitroglycerin seek medical attention immediately.

Nitroglycerin should be kept in the original glass container and tightly capped after each use to prevent loss of tablet potency.

Store nitroglycerin tablets at room temperature (between 68° and 77°F).