Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin is a medicine used to treat chest pain called angina. Take nitroglycerin as directed by your doctor
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
- Always keep your nitroglycerin with you.
- This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up or get out of bed. Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
- Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to drink alcohol while using nitroglycerin medicine.
- Keep nitroglycerin in its original bottle to keep its strength. Store it at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
- Be sure to replace the bottle if it has passed the expiration date.
- Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.
If you use tablets:
- When you have chest pain, sit down and rest. Place 1 tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve. Do not swallow, chew or crush the tablet.
- If you still have chest pain after 5 minutes, put a second tablet under your tongue.
- If the chest pain does not go away after another 5 minutes, use a third tablet. You may take up to 3 tablets in 15 minutes.
- If you still have pain, Do not drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital in a private car because you may be having a heart attack. Your condition could get worse on the way to the hospital.
- If you have aspirin, chew 1 adult tablet (325 mg) or 4 baby aspirin tablets.
If you use spray:
- When you have chest pain, sit down and rest. Hold the can up with the spray button on top as close to your mouth as you can. Press down on the button and spray the medicine into your mouth towards the back of your throat.
- If your chest pain lasts longer than 5 minutes, spray a second dose into your mouth.
- If the chest pain does not go away after another 5 minutes, spray a third dose. You may use up to 3 sprays in 15 minutes.
- If you still have pain, Do not drive yourself or have someone drive you to the hospital in a private car because you may be having a heart attack. Your condition could get worse on the way to the hospital.
- If you have aspirin, chew 1 adult tablet (325 mg) or 4 baby aspirin tablets.
Call to the doctor if you have:
- Trouble breathing
- Increased chest pain
- Dizziness, fainting or severe weakness
- Sweaty, pale skin
- Severe headaches
- Itching or swelling
- Seizures or coma
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth