Precautions
Taking nitroglycerin when not needed can lead to severe headaches for one. It also could lead to an unsafe drop in blood pressure and can cause tachycardia which is a rapid heart rate, palpitations and fainting. He should probably be tapered down off the medication if he has been on more than a few weeks.
What happens if you take nitroglycerin and don't need it?
You should not take nitroglycerin if: You have taken the maximum amount of short-acting nitroglycerin prescribed by your doctor You know your blood pressure is very low. Ask your doctor about this....
When not to take nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin, Sublingual tablet
- Nitroglycerin sublingual tablet is available as both a generic and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Nitrostat.
- A sublingual tablet is a tablet that you dissolve under your tongue or inside your cheek. ...
- Nitroglycerin sublingual tablet is used to stop or prevent angina (chest pain).
When should nitroglycerin be used?
When should you take a nitroglycerin pill? Nitroglycerin comes as a sublingual tablet to take under the tongue. The tablets is usually taken as needed, either 5 to 10 minutes before activities that may cause attacks of angina or at the first sign of an attack.
When should you take a nitroglycerin pill?
When should you not give nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients that have reported allergic symptoms to the medication. [18] Known history of increased intracranial pressure, severe anemia, right-sided myocardial infarction, or hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin are contraindications to nitroglycerin therapy.
What should you assess before administering nitroglycerin?
Assess heart rate, ECG, and heart sounds, especially during exercise (See Appendices G, H). Report fast heart rate (tachycardia) or symptoms of other arrhythmias, including palpitations, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fainting, and fatigue/weakness.
What precautions are taken when administering nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or swallowed. They work much faster when absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Place the tablet under the tongue or between the cheek and gum, and let it dissolve. Do not eat, drink, smoke, or use chewing tobacco while a tablet is dissolving.
How much does nitroglycerin lower BP?
Mean values of systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures on admission were 217, 137, 163 mmHg. At 5 and 10 min after sublingual nitroglycerin, mean reduction of mean arterial blood pressure by 12.3 and 16.3% was achieved. Only 2 patients (5.4%) showed an overcorrection of blood pressure.
Does nitroglycerin decrease heart rate?
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.
What stemi do you not give Nitro to?
"Nitrates should not be given to patients with hypotension, marked bradycardia or tachycardia, RV infarction, or 5'phosphodiesterase inhibitor use within the previous 24 to 48 hours."
Does nitroglycerin raise heart rate?
The rise in heart rate began 1-1.5 min after administration of nitroglycerin tablets and was maximal within 3 min. The effect was more rapid with a quickly dissolving compound.
What is a contraindication to nitroglycerin administration?
CONTRAINDICATIONS. Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to it. Sublingual nitroglycerin therapy is contraindicated in patients with early myocardial infarction, severe anemia, increased intracranial pressure, and those with a known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin.
What do you need to monitor when administering nitroglycerin IV?
Monitoring: Check BP before and after every increment. Advise MD if systolic BP <100 mmHg. Withdrawal: slowly titrate down by decreasing by 5mcg/min every 30 min.
Which considerations must the nurse teach the client with nitroglycerine tablet administration?
Patient Teaching & Education Instruct patients to avoid eating or smoking during administration as this may alter absorption. Patients should sit during administration to decrease the risk for injury due to the possibility of hypotension, dizziness, and weakness.
What special considerations must be made for IV nitroglycerin?
For nitroglycerin, the following should be considered:Allergies. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to nitroglycerin or any other medicines. ... Pediatric. ... Geriatric. ... Breastfeeding. ... Interactions with medicines. ... Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol. ... Other medical problems.
What is a contraindication to nitroglycerin administration?
CONTRAINDICATIONS. Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to it. Sublingual nitroglycerin therapy is contraindicated in patients with early myocardial infarction, severe anemia, increased intracranial pressure, and those with a known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin.
When Should You Avoid Taking Nitroglycerin?
As with any medicine, nitroglycerin might be harmful if you don’t take it correctly.
Why do doctors prescribe nitroglycerin?
It’s sudden heart -related chest pain. It happens because something prevents the flow of blood to your heart muscle. Nitroglycerin helps widen the blood vessels so more blood gets to your heart muscle. That helps stop the pain.
What does it feel like to take Nitroglycerin?
Situations that make you feel worried, anxious, or angry. You may take your nitroglycerin when you first feel the symptoms of angina. It’s important to know your own body and what angina is like for you. You may have: Aching, discomfort, or pain in your chest.
Why shouldn't you take ED with nitroglycerin?
Why shouldn’t you take your ED medicine with your nitroglycerin? The reason is that both lower your blood pressure. Taken together, your blood pressure may get to a very low, and dangerous, level.
Can you take nitroglycerin with angina?
Nausea, a feeling of fullness or bloating, or gas. If you have angina, take your nitroglycerin as instructed by your doctor. This might mean you take it as soon as you feel symptoms, or you wait a minute before you take it, or you take more than one pill over several minutes.
How long before an activity can you take nitroglycerin?
People can also take fast-acting nitroglycerin formulations 5 to 10 minutes before doing an activity that may cause an angina attack.
Why do people take nitroglycerin?
People often use the drug nitroglycerin to relieve chest pain that angina causes . Most often, the reason for the decrease in blood flow is plaque formation and narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the heart. Nitroglycerin helps to open up the blood vessels and allow blood to flow. People also use nitroglycerin to treat chronic anal fissures.
How much nitroglycerin is in a tablet?
Generic nitroglycerin comes in the form of a sublingual tablet. The strengths of these tablets are 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, and 0.6 mg.
Why do doctors use nitroglycerin?
Uses. Doctors usually use nitroglycerin to treat the pain that angina causes. Narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart with blood is what causes unstable angina. Doctors call this condition coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is the most common type of heart disease. More than 370,000 people.
What is the best medicine for angina?
Doctors usually use nitroglycerin to treat the pain associated with angina.
Where to put nitroglycerin patch?
A person places the patch on their skin anywhere except the areas below the knee and elbow. Most people place the patch on their chest. The area should be clean, dry, and hairless to allow the nitroglycerin to absorb across the skin.
What are the side effects of nitroglycerin?
Severe side effects that healthcare professionals associate with a nitroglycerin overdose include: a sudden drop in blood pressure. increased heart rate. increased blood flow and pressure in the brain.
How long does nitrate help with angina?
The ointment and patch forms release medicine gradually to provide an effect for 7 to 10 hours. Check with your doctor if you also need a fast-acting medicine to relieve the pain of an angina attack.
What to do if you miss a dose of a syringe?
Missed Dose. If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can.
How to apply ointment to skin?
Do not rub or massage the ointment into the skin. Spread it in a thin, even layer, and cover an area of skin that is the same size each time it is applied. Apply the ointment to skin with little or no hair that is free of scars, cuts, or irritation. Apply each dose of ointment to a different area of skin to prevent irritation.
How to store a med?
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
When to apply a new patch?
Apply a new patch if the first one becomes loose or falls off.
Can you use nitroglycerin before applying a new ointment?
Before applying a new dose of ointment, remove any ointment remaining on the skin from a previous dose. This will allow the fresh ointment to release the nitroglycerin properly. This medicine comes with papers to help measure the dose.
How long does nitroglycerin stay in the body?
Nitroglycerin is primarily eliminated via metabolism in the liver and has a mean half-life of approximately 2 to 3 minutes. There are intravenous (IV) routes of administration for nitroglycerin used most commonly in emergency rooms and intensive care units (ICU).
What is nitroglycerin used for?
Earn continuing education credits (CME/CE) on this topic. Indications. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilatory drug used primarily to provide relief from anginal chest pain. Nitroglycerin has been FDA approved since 2000 and was first sold by Pfizer under the brand name Nitrostat. It is currently FDA approved for the acute relief ...
What are the contraindications for nitroglycerin?
The contraindications of nitroglycerine therapy include: 1 Allergic reactions to nitroglycerin are extremely rare, but reports do exist. Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients that have reported allergic symptoms to the medication. 2 Known history of increased intracranial pressure, severe anemia, right-sided myocardial infarction, or hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin are contraindications to nitroglycerin therapy. 3 Concurrent use of nitroglycerin with PDE-5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil citrate, vardenafil hydroxide, tadalafil) is absolutely contraindicated. PDE-5 inhibitors have proven to accentuate the hypotensive effects of nitrates and precipitate syncopal episodes.
How long does it take for nitroglycerin to absorb?
Absorption takes about 5 to 10 minutes for full effect.
Does nitroglycerin cause venodilation?
Although nitroglycer in has a vasodilatory effect in both arteries and veins, the profound desired effects caused by nitroglycerin are primarily due to venodilation.[2] Venodilation causes pooling of blood within the venous system, reducing preload to the heart, which causes a decrease in cardiac work, reducing anginal symptoms secondary to demand ischemia. Arterial vasodilation will still occur and contribute to the relief of anginal symptoms. [3][4] Vasodilation of the coronary arteries will cause increased blood flow to the heart, increasing perfusion, but this effect remains minimal compared to the effects of venodilation.
Is Nitrous Oxide a vasodilatory drug?
This activity outlines the indications, mechanism of action, methods of administration, important adverse effects, contraindications, monitoring, and toxicity of nitrous oxide, so providers can direct patient therapy successfully in instances where nitrous oxide provides a benefit to patient care. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilatory drug used primarily ...
Is nitroglycerin safe for nursing?
Interprofessional team members including clinicians, cardiology specialists, primary care providers, pharmacists, internists, and nursing staff who work with patients taking nitroglycerin should be fully aware of the indications and contraindications of the drug, as well as the potential adverse effects. Overall, nitroglycerin is relatively safe, and monitoring of the levels is not required. In the event of overdose, monitoring vital signs may be necessary to monitor the hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin. Continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation is recommended. Pharmacists can assist the team by monitoring for drug-drug interactions. Nitroglycerin is pregnancy category C, and its use requires caution in breastfeeding mothers. It is currently unknown whether nitroglycerin is excreted in breast milk. Interprofessional collaboration and information sharing will drive better outcomes with fewer adverse events with nitroglycerine therapy. [Level 5]
How to store nitroglycerin?
Store nitroglycerin at room temperature. Keep it between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
What is sublingual nitroglycerin?
A sublingual tablet is a tablet that you dissolve under your tongue or inside your cheek. Nitroglycerin also comes as a spray, aerosol solution, transdermal patch, and ointment. In addition, it comes in an injectable form that’s only given by a healthcare professional.
How to take sublingual tablet?
To take the sublingual tablet, you place it under your tongue or inside your cheek and let it dissolve.
How to avoid interactions with medications?
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
What to do if you have serious side effects?
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Can Nitroglycerin cause dizziness?
Nitroglycerin can cause dizziness during the first few hours after you take it. You shouldn’t drive or use machinery until you know how this medication affects you. This drug can also cause other side effects.
Can nitroglycerin cause allergic reactions?
Allergic reactions to nitroglycerin are extremely rare, but they do occur. Symptoms can include:
How long does it take for nitroglycerin to work?
You may use nitroglycerin sublingual within 5 to 10 minutes before an activity that might cause chest pain. This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests.
What is nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin is used to treat or prevent attacks of chest pain ( angina ).
What are the side effects of Nitroglycerin?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, sweating, pale skin; nausea, vomiting; feeling weak or light-headed; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have:
How old do you have to be to use a syringe?
Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
Can you take Nitroglycerin with anemia?
Before taking this medicine. You may not be able to use nitroglycerin if you have: severe anemia (low red blood cells); increased pressure inside the skull; circulation problems or shock (pale or clammy skin, cold sweat, numbness or tingling, fast or irregular heartbeats, or feeling like you might pass out); or.
Can nitroglycerin affect your test results?
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using nitroglycerin.
Can nitroglycerin cause headaches?
Nitroglycerin can cause severe headaches that should become less severe as you continue to use the medicine. Common side effects may include: flushing (sudden warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); feeling light-headed, fainting; headache, dizziness; or. numbness, tingling, burning pain.
When to take Nitroglycerin?
Yet as Dr. Lown advises, nitroglycerin is most helpful when taken at the first onset of chest discomfort – rather than after it has been present for several minutes.
When was Nitroglycerin first used?
While many heart patients now know and love nitro as an effective vasodilator to treat severe chest pain symptoms or heart failure, nitroglycerin has also been used since the 1860s as an active ingredient in the manufacture of explosives, most notably dynamite, patented in 1867 by the famous scientist, Alfred Nobel.
Does nitroglycerin help with angina?
It is common to see patients with angina return to full activity , largely because they have mastered the proper use of nitroglycerin. “No matter how often you use it, it will consistently continue to work. It can help in the following circumstances: Brisk walking. Cold, windy weather.
Who was the first person to use Nitroglycerin?
Ironically, many years later, Alfred Nobel – the scientist who had first used nitro in the dynamite his company patented – was prescribed nitroglycerin for his own chronic angina pain.
Is nitroglycerin a long acting medication?
Nitroglycerin (or nitroglycerine, glyceryl trinitrate, or GTN) comes in either short- or long-acting forms: spray, pills, skin ointment or transdermal patch, and as the AHA journal reminds us, it’s still one of the least expensive – and most immediately effective – of all my cardiac meds.
Is nitroglycerin a wonder drug?
During worry, tension or anger. “Nitroglycerin is truly a wonder drug. It dilates coronary arteries and decreases the workload of the heart, two factors responsible for the discomfort. “Yet many anginal patients use the drug only sparingly, if at all.
Is nitroglycerin a heart attack?
It is not a heart attack. There is no heart damage.
