Normal, temporary side effects of nitroglycerin include a warm or flushed feeling, headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness. You may also feel a burning sensation under your tongue. Do not take an erection-enhancing medicine if you are taking nitroglycerin.
These medicines include sildenafil Viagra , tadalafil Cialis , and vardenafil Levitra. Combining nitroglycerin with any of these medicines can cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. If you have angina and have taken one of these erection-enhancing medicines, be sure to tell your doctor so that you are not given nitroglycerin or another nitrate medicine.
Do not take the pulmonary hypertension medicine sildenafil Revatio if you are taking nitroglycerin or another nitrate medicine. Store nitroglycerin pills in a dark-colored such as brown , airtight, glass container that you cannot see through. Keep the container tightly closed. Keep nitroglycerin pills and liquid spray away from heat or moisture. Nitroglycerin can get old. And when it is old, it may not work. If your nitroglycerin supply is past its expiration date, get a new prescription as soon as possible.
Keep your nitroglycerin in the container it came in and tightly closed. Do not open your sublingual nitroglycerin until you need a dose. Replace your tablets every 3 to 6 months. A nitroglycerin spray may last up to 2 years before it expires.
You may get a headache when you use nitroglycerin. Or you may feel burning or tingling under your tongue with nitroglycerin that is used under the tongue. But if you don't have a headache or feel burning or tingling under your tongue, it does not mean the medicine is not working.
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about any other information you may need to know about your medications. Always give your doctor your complete medical history, especially if you are over 60 years of age, have recently had a stroke or heart attack or have severe headaches, low iron anemia or glaucoma. You may also want to talk to your doctor about how effective nitrates are for managing your angina. Your doctor can adjust the amount of medicine or suggest other ways of managing your condition.
Some common side effects of nitrates include headaches, flushing, dizziness, fainting, low blood pressure hypotension and irregular heart rhythms arrhythmia. Report any and all side effects to your doctor. 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.
Talk to your healthcare practitioner about how you can achieve these lifestyle changes. Health Canada - Drugs and Health Products provides health and medical information to help Canadians maintain and improve their health. Drug Product Database provides information about drugs approved for use in Canada. For EMS providers, typical nitroglycerin indications include chest pain or discomfort associated with angina pectoris or suspected acute myocardial infarction, as well as pulmonary edema with hypertension.
For patients at home, indications typically include prevention or treatment of chest pain, or discomfort associated with angina pectoris or suspected acute myocardial infarction. Like many commonly encountered prehospital treatments, some of the common knowledge surrounding nitroglycerin contains more myths and misconceptions than evidence-based facts. Here are some of the top myths and misconceptions about nitroglycerin treatment:.
Take the opportunity to share this article with your fellow providers. Powerful treatments like nitroglycerin demand well-informed responders. Listen for more: Serial killers: Acute chest pain. Rom Duckworth is a dedicated emergency responder, author and educator with more than 30 years of experience working in career and volunteer fire departments, hospital healthcare systems, and private EMS.
Connect with Duckworth via RescueDigest. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. Get more info. More EMS1 Articles. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are usually taken as needed to treat episodes of angina; do not take them on a regular basis. Nitroglycerin sublingual may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed after each use, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. 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.
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