Heart & CV NITRO

by Dr. Karen Leggett December 19, 2019

General Information

Nitroglycerin has long been used in the treatment of heart pain. It causes the arterial blood vessels to widen (dilate), increasing the blood flow through them to the organ that they supply. This permits increased blood flow to the heart muscle, which in turn eases the pain from the heart.

Nitroglycerin is made in a form that is absorbed slowly through the skin. Sometimes a paste is used for this purpose. This paste or ointment is applied directly to the skin.

Many other forms of nitroglycerin are available. If heart pain tends to come on suddenly and without warning, the treatment for it may require rapid administration of a drug to stop the pain. The commonest form is the sublingual (under the tongue) form of the drug. Some sprays may be applied under the tongue, which provides rapid absorption. When patients have frequent or prolonged heart pain, the doctor may prescribe a long-acting oral preparation. Another form is a patch that can be stuck directly on to the skin.

Each form of nitroglycerin has specific indications for its use. Your physician will discuss with you which form may be most helpful for the kind of heart pain that you are experiencing.

Important Points in Therapy
If the nitroglycerin is prescribed as an ointment, it will work best if care is taken with the application to the skin. The hands and skin in the area of application should be clean and dry. Wash with soap and warm water if necessary. The dose is determined by the length of ointment squeezed out of the tube. The medication will come with papers printed with a scale for this measurement. Rub the ointment over the selected area. Permit it to be absorbed. Wash your hands after application to remove any nitroglycerin that may have come off on your fingers.

Notify Our Office If ...

You experience chest pain.
When you use your nitroglycerin ointment you do not get relief from your chest discomfort.

Nitro patch

General Information
Nitroglycerin has long been used in the treatment of heart pain. It causes the arterial blood vessels to widen (dilate) increasing the blood flow through them to the organ that they supply. This permits increased blood flow to the heart muscle, which in turn eases the pain from the heart.

One form of nitroglycerin is a patch containing medication that can be stuck directly onto the skin. This is a slow release form that is used for patients who have frequent recurrent pain.

Many other forms of nitroglycerin are available. If heart pain tends to come on suddenly and without warning, the treatment for it may require rapid administration of a drug to stop the pain. The commonest form is the sublingual (under the tongue) form of the drug. Some sprays may be applied under the tongue, which provides rapid absorption. When patients have frequent or prolonged heart pain, the doctor may prescribe a long-acting oral preparation. Nitroglycerin is also made in a form that is absorbed slowly through the skin. Sometimes a paste is used for this purpose. This paste or ointment is applied directly to the skin.

Each form of nitroglycerin has specific indications for its use. Your physician will discuss with you which form may be most helpful for the kind of heart pain that you are experiencing.

Important Points in Therapy
If a nitroglycerin skin patch is prescribed, apply it only to a designated skin area. Avoid skin that is hairy. Also avoid areas that are irritated or calloused. It is wise to pick a site that will not be rubbed by clothing. The skin should be clean and dry. Wash with soap and warm water if necessary. Handle the patch by the outside, not the sticky side, because you may rub away some of the medication. Wash your hands after application to remove any nitroglycerin that may have come off on your fingers. If you are changing patches, apply the fresh patch to a new area. This will avoid irritation to the skin.

Notify Our Office If ...

You experience chest pain.
Your nitroglycerin patch does not give you relief from the chest discomfort.

Nitro Tablets

General Information
Nitroglycerin has long been used in the treatment of heart pain. It causes the arterial blood vessels to widen (dilate), increasing the blood flow through them to the organ that they supply. This permits increased blood flow to the heart muscle, which in turn eases the pain from the heart.

Because heart pain tends to come on suddenly and without warning, treatment for it may require rapid administration of drug to stop the pain. The commonest form is the sublingual (under the tongue) form of the drug. Nitroglycerin tablets designed for this method of administration dissolve quickly and are absorbed into the blood circulation through the mucosa that forms the covering of the tongue and lining of the mouth.

Many other forms of nitroglycerin are available. Some sprays may be applied under the tongue, which also provides rapid absorption. When patients have frequent or prolonged heart pain the doctor may prescribe a long-acting oral preparation. Nitroglycerin is also made in a form that is absorbed slowly through the skin. Sometimes a paste is used for this purpose. This paste or ointment is applied directly to the skin. Another form is a patch that can be stuck directly onto the skin.

Each form of nitroglycerin has specific indications for its use. Your physician will discuss with you which form may be most helpful for the kind of heart pain that you are experiencing.

Important Points in Therapy
Nitroglycerin designed to be taken under the tongue should be fresh. This medication can lose some of its potency with the passage of time. Unless you use a great deal of the medicine in a short time, it is wise to ask for a limited prescription with some renewals so you can obtain fresh drug at regular intervals. The drug needs to be stored in a tightly closed vial.

Before taking the pill the mouth should be moist. If it is dry, take a sip of water or other beverage and swallow the liquid. Then place the tablet under your tongue. Let the tablet sit there with your mouth closed until it has dissolved. Do not try to swallow the tablet. Do not drink, smoke, or chew until it is gone. Even then wait several minutes before taking a drink of water or other beverage.

A potent nitroglycerin tablet should give the feeling of a throbbing pulse and in some patients may cause a headache. This is a sign that the drug is active.

Notify Our Office If ...

You experience chest pain.
When you use your sublingual (under the tongue) nitroglycerin tablets you do not experience a thumping pulse or a headache.