Why is sublingual nitroglycerin the ideal medication for angina

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking nitroglycerin sublingual.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital.

It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Nitroglycerin Sublingual pronounced as nye troe gli' ser in. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? Arch Intern Med. Silber S.

Nitrates: why and how should they be used today? Current status of the clinical usefulness of nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbidemononitrate. Eur J Clin Pharmacol.

Redistribution of myocardial blood flow with topical nitroglycerin in patients with coronary artery disease. Effect of intravenous nitroglycerin on collateral blood flow and infarct size in the conscious dog. Effect of nitroglycerin and dipyridamole on epicardial and endocardial oxygen tension — further evidence for redistribution of myocardial blood flow.

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. Effect of coronary vasodilator drugs on retrograde flow in areas of chronic myocardial ischemia. Circ Res. Effect of nitroglycerin and dipyridamole on regional coronary resistance. Effects of nitroglycerin on regional myocardial blood flow in coronary artery disease.

J Clin Invest. Reflex constriction of significant coronary stenosis as a mechanism contributing to ischemic left ventricular dysfunction during isometric exercise. Preferential dilation of recipient coronary arteries of the collateral circulation by intracoronary administration of nitroglycerin. Effect of sublingually administered nitroglycerin on regional myocardial blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease.

Am J Cardiol. Loscalzo J. Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects of organic nitrates. Effects of nitroglycerin at therapeutic doses on platelet aggregation in unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Comparison of the effects of two different galenical preparations of glyceryl trinitrate on pulmonary artery pressure and on the finger pulse curve.

Relation between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and peripheral vasomotor function. Pulse pressure and peripheral arterial vasoreactivity. J Hum Hypertens. The effect of nitroglycerin on myocardial blood flow in various segments characterized by rest-redistribution thallium SPECT.

J Nucl Med. Pathophysiology of atherosclerosis plaque progression. Heart Lung Circ. Thadani U, Parker JO. Influence of glyceryl trinitrate during supine and upright exercise in patients with angina pectoris. Br Heart J. New York: Medscape Education; N Engl J Med. Compr Physiol. A large scale comparative study in general practice with nitroglycerin spray and tablet formulations in elderly patients with angina pectoris.

Comparison of nitroglycerin lingual spray and sublingual tablet on time of onset and duration of brachial artery vasodilation in normal subjects. Blood levels after sublingual nitroglycerin. Studies on the response of nitroglycerin oral spray compared with sublingual tablets for angina pectoris patients with dry mouth.

A multicenter trial. Sublingual nitroglycerin or spray in the treatment of angina. Br J Clin Pract. Nitric oxide supersensitivity: a possible molecular mechanism of migraine pain. Nitroglycerin headache and nitroglycerin-induced primary headaches from and onwards: a historical overview and an update. Explaining the phenomenon of nitrate tolerance. Dynamic changes in left ventricular outflow tract flow velocities after amyl nitrite inhalation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Mechanism of nitroglycerin effect in valvular aortic stenosis. Nitrates in aortic valve disease: acute and chronic effects. Z Kardiol. Clinical, haemodynamic, and coronary angiographic correlates of angina pectoris in patients with severe aortic valve disease.

Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. Maron DJ. Medscape J Med. Cardiology patient page. Managing your angina symptoms with nitroglycerin: what about exercise? National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Management of Stable Angina. Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Ottawa: Canadian Cardiovascular Society; Support Center Support Center. External link.

Please review our privacy policy. The task force on the management of stable coronary heart disease of the European Society of Cardiology ESC 1 recommends:. Special diagnostic considerations mention that patients with pain that involves a small portion of the left hemithorax, lasts for several hours or even days, is not relieved by nitroglycerin, and may be provoked by palpation should be considered non-anginal pain often musculoskeletal in origin.

As sexual activity is likely to trigger ischemia, nitroglycerin prior to sexual intercourse may be helpful as with other physical activity. Pharmacologic management of stable CHD patients recommends rapidly acting formulations of nitroglycerin once the episode has started or when the symptom is likely to occur immediate treatment or prevention of angina for relief from anginal symptoms.

Among short-acting nitrates, sublingual nitroglycerin is the standard initial therapy for effort angina. Sublingual nitroglycerin or nitroglycerin spray is recommended for immediate relief of angina in patients with SIHD. All patients with SIHD should be prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin tablets or nitroglycerin spray for immediate relief of angina.

While awaiting ambulance arrival, health care providers and dispatchers can advise patients who tolerate nitroglycerin to repeat nitroglycerin every 5 minutes for a maximum of three doses Level of Evidence: C.

Furthermore, if the symptoms subside within 5 minutes of when they began, patients should notify their physician of the episode. Rapidly absorbed; therefore, formulations of nitroglycerin are the mainstay for rapid relief of angina. Prophylaxis for anticipated short-term physical and emotional stress. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets usually give relief in 1 to 5 minutes. However, if the pain is not relieved, you may use a second tablet 5 minutes after you take the first tablet.

If the pain continues for another 5 minutes, a third tablet may be used. If you still have chest pain after a total of 3 tablets, contact your doctor or go to a hospital emergency room right away. Do not drive yourself and call , if necessary. You may administer 1 or 2 sprays of Nitroglycerin oral spray at the onset of chest pain.

If the pain continues after 5 minutes, a third spray may be used. You must wait 5 minutes after the first 1 or 2 sprays before using a third spray.

If you still have chest pain after a total of 3 sprays, contact your doctor or go to a hospital emergency room right away. Do not drive yourself and call if necessary. Do not use more than 3 sprays in a minute period. You should take the extended-release capsule first thing in the morning and follow the same schedule each day.

This medicine works best if you have a "drug-free" period of time every day when you do not take it. Your doctor will schedule your doses during the day to allow for a drug-free time. Follow the schedule of dosing carefully so the medicine will work properly. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.

Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.

Bring this journal with you to your checkups. This drug may lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Your doctor may check your blood pressure and heart rate before and during your treatment. They may also ask you to check your blood pressure and heart rate at home. If your blood pressure and heart rate drop too low, your doctor may reduce your dosage, stop your treatment, or give you a different form of nitroglycerin.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others.

Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication.

The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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