How To Use Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin comes in various dosage forms such as capsule, sublingual tablet, spray, patch, gel, and ointment. 

The sublingual tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve. The tablet should be used as needed to relieve chest pain. It can also be used 5-10 minutes before activities that are likely to cause chest pain. Do not crush, chew, or swallow the sublingual tablet. You may experience some burning or tingling when you place the tablet under your tongue. This means the drug is working. However, if you don’t feel any burning or tingling, it doesn’t mean that the nitroglycerin is not working. 

Ask your healthcare professional to explain how to use nitroglycerin during an angina attack. Your doctor may tell you to take a second or third dose at intervals of 5 minutes if your symptoms do not go away. If your symptoms are still present after the third dose, call for emergency help. You may be having a heart attack and should be evaluated in the emergency room without delay.

If you are using the transdermal patches to prevent angina, place one transdermal patch on your skin once a day in the morning. 

If your healthcare professional has prescribed nitroglycerin to treat anal fissure pain, apply nitroglycerin ointment inside your anus twice a day as directed. 

Read the prescription label carefully and use nitroglycerin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more nitroglycerin or take it more frequently than directed.

Missed dose: Nitroglycerin is usually taken as needed. If you are taking this medicine on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Storage: Store nitroglycerin at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused nitroglycerin should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw nitroglycerin in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded nitroglycerin is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on nitroglycerin. The medical information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about nitroglycerin, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for medical advice and further information.

Discounted prices for nitroglycerin
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