nitroglycerin – sublingual, Nitrostat
USES: This medication is used before physical activities to prevent chest pain in people with coronary artery disease. It may also be used to relieve chest pain once it occurs. Nitroglycerin relaxes and widens blood vessels so blood can flow more easily to the heart.
HOW TO USE: Ask your doctor for exact instructions on how to use your nitroglycerin. Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using nitroglycerin and each time you get a refill. Sit down before using this medication. Place 1 tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve as directed by your doctor. Do not chew or swallow the tablet. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are using this medication to prevent chest pain before physical activities, use it 5 to 10 minutes before the activity. If you are using this medication to relieve chest pain once it occurs, use it as soon as possible. If your chest pain has not improved or if it has worsened 5 minutes after you use this drug, call emergency medical help. After calling the emergency number, use another dose. Five minutes after the second dose, if you still have chest pain and the ambulance has not arrived, use a third dose. If your chest pain is not gone after 15 minutes and 3 doses of nitroglycerin, call emergency medical help if you have not called already. Do not use more than 3 doses during an attack unless directed by your doctor.
SIDE EFFECTS: Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, flushing, and burning/tingling under the tongue may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Headache is often a sign that this medication is working. Your doctor may recommend treating headaches with an over-the-counter pain reliever. If the headaches continue or become severe, tell your doctor promptly. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Tell your doctor immediately if these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fainting, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have a certain medical condition. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: recent head injury. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: anemia, low blood pressure, dehydration, other heart problems. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication, especially dizziness and lightheadedness which could increase the risk of falls. During pregnancy, this medication should only be used when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk or if it may harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with certain medications because very serious interactions may occur. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting nitroglycerin. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: rosiglitazone, certain drugs to treat migraine headaches. This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow heartbeat, vision changes, severe nausea/vomiting, sweating, cold/clammy skin, bluish fingers/toes/lips.
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NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. MISSED DOSE: Not applicable. STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light, heat, and moisture. Keep in the original glass bottle with the cap tightly closed. Ask your pharmacist how long this medication will continue to work properly after the bottle is opened for the first time. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details. MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
