
Administer to the patient in a seated or semi-recumbent position Prime the bottle before using it for the first time by pressing the nozzle 5 times, spraying it into the air Do not shake GTN bottle prior to administration Assess BP before every dose Severe hypotension is an uncommon side effect COVID-19 / Febrile Respiratory Illness
How do you take GTN?
It is usually taken as a spray, but is also available as a tablet. Either the spray or tablet should be used under the tongue so they are absorbed most quickly. GTN also widens the blood vessels that go to the brain, which can cause some people to get a headache.
How do you use a GTN sprayer?
Hold the nozzle in front of your mouth, with your finger on the button, and take a deep breath. Open your mouth and lift your tongue up. Spray the GTN under your tongue by pressing once firmly – do not breathe in while you spray. Close your mouth immediately. Breathe through your nose keeping your mouth closed.
How does glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray work?
Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray can relieve symptoms of chest pain (angina). Read about how GTN works and its possible side effects. How does it work? Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray quickly widens your blood vessels, increasing the blood flow to the heart. This helps to reduce chest pain ( angina ).
What does GTN spray do for angina?
Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray quickly widens your blood vessels, increasing the blood flow to the heart. This helps to reduce chest pain ( angina ). Talk you doctor or nurse about how to use your spray correctly. If you're still having symptoms after using the GTN spray as advised in the action plan CALL 111 IMMEDIATELY.

What is a main nursing consideration when administering GTN?
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS - Evaluate therapeutic response. - Metal-containing transdermal systems should be removed before cardioversion or diathermy. - Periodic blood pressure checks are necessary. - Most side-effects will reduce over time.
How many times a day can I use GTN spray?
No more than three doses are recommended at any one time. For the prevention of inducible angina (e.g. physical effort, emotional stress, exposure to cold) one or two 400 microgram metered doses sprayed under the tongue within 2-3 minutes of the event starting.
What happens when you take GTN spray?
It is usually taken as a spray, but is also available as a tablet. Either the spray or tablet should be used under the tongue so they are absorbed most quickly. GTN also widens the blood vessels that go to the brain, which can cause some people to get a headache. Although unpleasant, this isn't anything to worry about.
How do you use GTN spray video?
0:241:49MedTap: How to use glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEither spray one to two puffs or place a tablet under your tongue. And close your mouth. Wait. FiveMoreEither spray one to two puffs or place a tablet under your tongue. And close your mouth. Wait. Five minutes and see if the pain has gone away.
How much does GTN drop BP?
The effects of GTN on CBF and BP were adjusted for baseline measurements (ANCOVA). GTN lowered peripheral systolic BP by (mean) 23 mm Hg (95% CI, 2 to 45; P=0.03) and central systolic BP by 22 mm Hg (95% CI, 0 to 44; P=0.048).
How long does GTN spray take to work?
Spray – use 1 or 2 sprays under your tongue before you start your activity. The spray usually takes 1 to 3 minutes to work.
When should you not use GTN spray?
Do not use GTN Spray: • If you are allergic to glyceryl trinitrate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you have severe low blood pressure. If you have shock caused by low blood pressure. If you have severe anaemia.
How long can you live with angina?
If your symptoms are well controlled and you make healthy lifestyle changes, you can usually have a normal life with angina.
Does GTN spray lower heart rate?
GTN spray works by widening blood vessels, letting more blood and oxygen reach your heart. This reduces strain on your heart, making it easier for your heart to pump blood. Read more about angina.
What are the four E's of angina?
In fact, exercise is one of what doctors call the four E's of angina. The others are eating, emotional stress and exposure to cold. All increase the heart's workload.
Why does GTN cause headaches?
Nitroglycerin works in the heart arteries by opening up those arteries and allowing more blood to flow through. That's how it can be useful to relieve chest pain. As a side effect, though, that same sort of opening up of blood vessels can occur in the head and the brain, and this is what can lead to a headache.
How often can you take nitroglycerin for angina?
In an angina attack, you should feel better within 5 minutes after your first dose. You can take a dose every 5 minutes up to a total of 3 doses. If you do not feel better or feel worse after 1 dose, call 9-1-1 at once.
How often can you take nitroglycerin for angina?
In an angina attack, you should feel better within 5 minutes after your first dose. You can take a dose every 5 minutes up to a total of 3 doses. If you do not feel better or feel worse after 1 dose, call 9-1-1 at once.
What is the fastest way to cure angina?
Typically your doctor will prescribe medication and lifestyle changes before they suggest surgery. However, if you have severe angina, you may need to undergo an angioplasty or stenting. The fastest way to treat angina is by getting rest and making lifestyle changes.
Does GTN spray increase heart rate?
GTN spray works by widening blood vessels, letting more blood and oxygen reach your heart. This reduces strain on your heart, making it easier for your heart to pump blood.
How long does nitroglycerin last in your system?
6. Response and effectiveness. Nitroglycerin acts in the body for an extremely short period (the half-life is 1 to 4 minutes), although it is metabolized to longer-lived active metabolites. However, these are less effective vasodilators than nitroglycerin.
What to do if you have angina?
If you're having angina symptoms, stop what you’re doing and rest now.
Is it a good idea to test spray?
It’s a good idea to test your spray to make sure it’s working effectively.
Does GTN spray help with angina?
Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray quickly widens your blood vessels, increasing the blood flow to the heart. This helps to reduce chest pain ( angina ). Talk you doctor or nurse about how to use your spray correctly.
Can you use GTN spray on Cialis?
Do not use GTN spray if you’re taking medicines for difficulties with erections, such as: sildenafil (Viagra, Avigra, Vedafil, Silvasta) tadalafil (Cialis) vardenafil (Levitra). Using these medications with GTN spray can cause a drop in blood pressure.
Can you get pregnant with GTN?
Talk to your doctor if you use GTN spray and you’re planning to get pregnant or are breastfeeding. GTN spray works immediately to relieve chest pain, however there are some daily-dose medications that reduce the risk of chest pain happening in the first place.
How to keep GTN spray?
Keep your GTN spray with you at all times – make sure you always have your GTN spray with you so you know where it is when you need it. Don't hesitate to use it.
What is GTN spray?
GTN spray is used to relieve angina . Angina is chest pain which may spread to your throat, jaw, neck, shoulders or arms. Angina happens when the blood supply to the muscles of your heart are restricted, due to narrowing of the blood vessels supplying your heart. GTN spray works by widening blood vessels, letting more blood ...
What are the side effects of GTN spray?
Like all medicines, GTN spray can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
How to use a spray canister?
Hold the canister upright with your forefinger on top of the white button. There is no need to shake the canister. Open your mouth and bring the spray nozzle as close as possible, aiming it under your tongue. Press the button firmly, directing the spray under your tongue while holding your breath.
How does GTN work?
GTN spray works by widening blood vessels, letting more blood and oxygen reach your heart. This reduces strain on your heart, making it easier for your heart to pump blood. Read more about angina . GTN spray is sprayed under your tongue so that it starts having an effect immediately.
How to use a sprayer for a swollen tongue?
Press the button firmly, directing the spray under your tongue while holding your breath.
Can GTN make you dizzy?
Sit down before using GTN spray – it can make you feel light-headed and dizzy.
How long does a GTN last?
A GTN spray has an expiry time of up to three years, whereas GTN tablets expire eight weeks after opening. You can buy GTN medicines from a pharmacy without a prescription if you need to.
How does GTN help with heart pain?
GTN can help to relieve this pain by widening your blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the heart. It is usually taken as a spray, but is also available as a tablet. Either the spray or tablet should be used under the tongue so they are absorbed most quickly.
Why do you spray while sitting down?
Use the spray while sitting down to avoid the risk of dizziness and fainting. The spray can also cause a drop in blood pressure, so use the spray while sitting down to avoid the risk of dizziness and fainting. If you experience an angina attack, sit down and use your spray.
Can you use GTN spray on angina?
If you have no pain relief within a few minutes of taking the second dose, or if it gets worse, call 999. You can use your GTN spray preventatively if you know an activity will bring on your angina, but be aware of how often you are using it, as overuse can reduce its effectiveness.
How to administer GTN?
Ways to administer GTN. The most common method is to spray one or two puffs under the tongue. A GTN tablet can also be placed under the tongue and absorbed, or a GTN patch applied to the skin for longer term pain control.
How does GTN work?
GTN relaxes and widens your blood vessels increasing oxygen delivery to the heart. It also reduces oxygen demand as pressures within the heart are reduced so it doesn’t have to work so hard to contract.
What to do if you have angina after GTN?
If angina persists after GTN, doctors suggest another one–two puffs of your spray. If the pain doesn’t go away, you may be having a heart attack and need to call an ambulance. It may be that your coronary artery is truly blocked, despite having been widened by GTN. Clot-busting drugs may clear the way; if it’s a fatty lump, doctors can laser it away, squash it or blast it to pieces. When the blockage won’t clear, bypass surgery may be needed.
Does GTN cause headaches?
Side effects. By widening your blood vessels, GTN drops your blood pressure. You may momentarily feel dizzy or have a headache. One man noted that GTN warmed his hands by increasing blood flow to the fingers, so he would use his GTN like a pair of mittens.
Does GTN spray help with angina?
We’ve all got our smartphones within reach, but for the patient with angina it’s essential that their under-the-tongue GTN spray remains at hand to provide rapid pain relief.
What is GTN spray?
Spray, sublingual tablets (for under the tongue), ointment and patches. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is prescribed for chest pain associated with angina. Tablet and spray formulations are referred to as short-acting preparations. This is because the effect of the medicine lasts for around 20-30 minutes.
How long does it take for a tongue spray to work?
Spray: spray one or two sprays under your tongue when a pain develops. Close your mouth immediately after using the spray. Your pain should ease within a minute or so. If the first dose does not work, use the spray again after five minutes. If the pain continues for 15 minutes despite using the spray twice then call an ambulance straightaway.
What is GTN in skin patches?
Other formulations which contain GTN are skin patches and ointment. These are longer-acting nitrates, as the medicine in these preparations works for a longer period of time. They are often referred to as transdermal nitrates. They are prescribed to prevent the pain from developing.
How long does it take for glyceryl trinitrate to help with chest pain?
Glyceryl trinitrate for angina. Tablets and sprays provide rapid relief from the chest pain associated with angina. Remember to carry them with you all the time. Angina chest pain should ease within a few minutes after using glyceryl trinitrate (GTN); if the pain does not ease within 15 minutes, call for an ambulance.
How long does it take for angina pain to go away after taking glyceryl trinitrate?
Angina chest pain should ease within a few minutes after using glyceryl trinitrate (GTN); if the pain does not ease within 15 minutes, call for an ambulance. The most common side-effect is a headache. This should soon pass. Glyceryl trinitrate for angina. GTN.
What is glyceryl trinitrate?
About glyceryl trinitrate for angina. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is prescribed for chest pain associated with angina. Tablet and spray formulations are referred to as short-acting preparations. This is because the effect of the medicine lasts for around 20-30 minutes.
How long does it take for a pain to go away after using a spray?
If the pain continues for 15 minutes despite using the spray twice then call an ambulance straightaway. Sublingual tablets: place one tablet under your tongue when a pain develops and allow it to dissolve. Your pain should ease within a minute or so.
How long does it take for glyceryl trinitrate to lose its effectiveness?
Short-acting glyceryl trinitrate tablets should be kept in the container they are dispensed in and discarded after eight weeks. The tablets may lose their effectiveness if the container has been open for longer than eight weeks or if they are transferred to a different container.
Can you swallow glyceryl trinitrate?
Glyceryl trinitrate sublingual tablets should be allowed to dissolve under the tongue - they should not be swallowed like normal tablets. Glyceryl trinitrate spray should be sprayed under the tongue, and the mouth closed after each dose. Do not inhale the spray.
Does glyceryl trinitrate spray help with angina?
I have been useing glyceryl trinitrate spray which is for Angina and opens the blood vessells up more and increases the flow of blood to and from the heart.
