Nitroglycerin (Tablet or Capsule)
Indications:
Acute symptomatic relief of angina pectoris; prophylactic management in situations likely to provoke angina attacks; long-term prophylactic management of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.
Presentation:
Nitroglycerin 2.6 SR Capsule: Each capsule contains Nitroglycerin sustained-release pellets equivalent to Nitroglycerin USP 2.6 mg.
Nitroglycerin 2.6 SR Tablet: Each sustained release tablet contains Nitroglycerin BP 2.6 mg.
Description:
Nitroglycerin causes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, producing a vasodilator effect on both peripheral arteries and veins. Dilation of veins promotes peripheral pooling of blood and decreases venous return to the heart, thereby reducing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload) and relaxation of arteries reduce systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure (afterload).
Dosage & Administration:
The usual dosage for adults and elderly patients:
1 capsule/tablet 2 times a day before meal (e.g. at 8 AM & 2 PM, with a daily nitrate-free interval of 10-12 hours). If necessary the dosage may be raised gradually to 2 or 3 capsules/tablets 2 times daily. But dosage should be individualized depending on the Nitroglycerin sensitivity of the patient, the severity of illness and the occurrence of side effects.
Use in Children: Not recommended for children. This should be taken empty stomach.
Storage:
Store in a cool and dry place away from light and heat. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular (Coronary vasodilators)
Indications:
Acute symptomatic relief of angina pectoris; prophylactic management in situations likely to provoke angina attacks; long-term prophylactic management of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.
Nitroglycerin 2.6 SR Capsule: Each capsule contains Nitroglycerin sustained-release pellets equivalent to Nitroglycerin USP 2.6 mg.
Nitroglycerin 2.6 SR Tablet: Each sustained release tablet contains Nitroglycerin BP 2.6 mg.
Description:
Nitroglycerin causes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, producing a vasodilator effect on both peripheral arteries and veins. Dilation of veins promotes peripheral pooling of blood and decreases venous return to the heart, thereby reducing left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (preload) and relaxation of arteries reduce systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure (afterload).
Dosage & Administration:
The usual dosage for adults and elderly patients:
1 capsule/tablet 2 times a day before meal (e.g. at 8 AM & 2 PM, with a daily nitrate-free interval of 10-12 hours). If necessary the dosage may be raised gradually to 2 or 3 capsules/tablets 2 times daily. But dosage should be individualized depending on the Nitroglycerin sensitivity of the patient, the severity of illness and the occurrence of side effects.
Use in Children: Not recommended for children. This should be taken empty stomach.
Interaction:
Nitroglycerin dilates peripheral blood vessels and may increase the antihypertensive properties of vasodilators, calcium antagonists, beta-adrenergic blockers. Concomitant use of nitrates with tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol may cause high blood pressure. Concomitant use of nitrates with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil cause a fall in blood pressure. Aspirin decreases the clearance and enhances the hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin may reduce the pharmacologic effects of heparin when used concomitantly. Nitrates increase the bioavailability of dihydroergotamine.
Contraindications:
Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin, other organic nitrates, or nitrites, or to the excipients of the medicine. It is also contraindicated in patients with acute myocardial infarction, marked anemia, head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage, or closed-angle glaucoma.
Side Effects:
Headache may occur at the onset of treatment but will usually subside after a few days. If the headache persists dosage should be decreased. Other side effects include tachycardia, postural hypotension, and syncope, cyanosis, and methemoglobinemia.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Nitroglycerin should not be used during pregnancy or lactation unless considered essential by the physician.
Precautions & Warnings:
Nitroglycerin should be used with caution in patients who are predisposed to closed-angle glaucoma. As with other drugs for the treatment of angina pectoris, abrupt discontinuation of therapy may lead to exacerbation of symptoms. When discontinuing long-term treatment, the dosage should be reduced gradually over several days, and the patient carefully monitored. The use of nitroglycerin during the early days of acute myocardial infarction requires particular attention to hemodynamic monitoring and clinical status to avoid the hazards of hypotension and tachycardia.
Nitroglycerin dilates peripheral blood vessels and may increase the antihypertensive properties of vasodilators, calcium antagonists, beta-adrenergic blockers. Concomitant use of nitrates with tricyclic antidepressants and alcohol may cause high blood pressure. Concomitant use of nitrates with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil cause a fall in blood pressure. Aspirin decreases the clearance and enhances the hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin may reduce the pharmacologic effects of heparin when used concomitantly. Nitrates increase the bioavailability of dihydroergotamine.
Contraindications:
Nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin, other organic nitrates, or nitrites, or to the excipients of the medicine. It is also contraindicated in patients with acute myocardial infarction, marked anemia, head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage, or closed-angle glaucoma.
Side Effects:
Headache may occur at the onset of treatment but will usually subside after a few days. If the headache persists dosage should be decreased. Other side effects include tachycardia, postural hypotension, and syncope, cyanosis, and methemoglobinemia.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Nitroglycerin should not be used during pregnancy or lactation unless considered essential by the physician.
Precautions & Warnings:
Nitroglycerin should be used with caution in patients who are predisposed to closed-angle glaucoma. As with other drugs for the treatment of angina pectoris, abrupt discontinuation of therapy may lead to exacerbation of symptoms. When discontinuing long-term treatment, the dosage should be reduced gradually over several days, and the patient carefully monitored. The use of nitroglycerin during the early days of acute myocardial infarction requires particular attention to hemodynamic monitoring and clinical status to avoid the hazards of hypotension and tachycardia.
Storage:
Store in a cool and dry place away from light and heat. Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.