Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Using Nitroglycerin for Angina. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is nitroglycerin? Nitroglycerin comes in quick-acting forms and long-acting forms. Your doctor will prescribe the right amount for you.
Do not use another person's nitroglycerin. When do I use quick-acting nitroglycerin? In general, quick-acting nitroglycerin is used: To relieve sudden angina. Before stressful activities that can cause angina, such as walking uphill or having sexual intercourse. How do I use quick-acting nitroglycerin? Sit or lie down to take your nitroglycerin.
If you are driving, pull over and park the car. Taking nitroglycerin can lower your blood pressure, which could cause you to pass out if you are standing up. For sudden episodes of angina, use nitroglycerin in a tablet or liquid spray form. Place the under-the-tongue sublingual tablet under your tongue. Leave it there until it dissolves. If you accidentally swallow the tablet, take another.
The medicine won't work if it is swallowed. Place the between-cheek-and-gum buccal tablet between your cheek and gum. Use the spray under your tongue or on top of your tongue. Push the spray canister button once. Close your mouth right away. Take one tablet or spray dose. If after 5 minutes your angina symptoms are not better or get worse, call or other emergency services immediately. After you call , continue to stay on the phone with the emergency operator.
For this medicine, the following should be considered:. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of nitroglycerin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of nitroglycerin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving nitroglycerin.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended.
Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases.
If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This medicine comes with a patient information insert.
Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Nitroglycerin is available as two types of products that are used for different reasons. The extended-release capsules are used every day on a specific schedule to prevent angina attacks. The oral spray, sublingual powder, and sublingual tablets work quickly to stop an angina attack that has already started or they can be used to prevent angina if you plan to exercise or expect a stressful event.
When you begin to feel an attack of angina starting chest pains, tightness or squeezing in the chest , sit down. Then place a sublingual powder or tablet in your mouth or under your tongue. If you use the oral spray, you should spray it on or under the tongue. You may become dizzy, lightheaded, or faint soon after using a tablet or spray, so it is safer to sit rather than stand while the medicine is working.
If you become dizzy or faint while sitting, take several deep breaths and bend forward with your head between your knees. Remain calm and you should feel better in a few minutes. If you are taking the nitroglycerin sublingual powder: Empty the contents of a packet under your tongue. Close your mouth and breathe normally. Allow powder to dissolve without swallowing. Do not rinse or spit for 5 minutes after taking this medicine.
Do not take more than 3 packets in 15 minutes. If you still have pain after you take a total of 3 packets, this is an emergency. What should I avoid while taking this medicine? What if I am taking other medicines? Viagra should not be taken within 24 hours of taking nitrates. When combined with nitrates, Viagra may cause lowered blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or more serious effects.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist about similar drugs or herbal remedies that treat erectile dysfunction. Medicines to treat high blood pressure. Certain heart medicines. Over-the-counter cough, cold, and flu medicines. Over-the-counter herbal cough, cold, and flu medicines.
What else should I tell my doctor? What are some side effects? Lifestyle changes Eating a healthy diet that is lower in fat, especially saturated and trans fats, being smoke free, limiting alcohol use, being physically active and reducing stress are also important in lowering the risk of heart disease.
Related information Health Canada - Drugs and Health Products provides health and medical information to help Canadians maintain and improve their health. Drug coverage.
0コメント