A patient takes a sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain and begins to feel dizzy

Nitroglycerin (NTG) sublingual tablet Patient information
Nitroglycerin耐絞寧舌下錠藥物使用須知

Drug information No.42

Generic Name	Brand Name	Dosage and strengths	Appearance
Nitroglycerin	Nitrostat	0.6mg／Tab

Effect

Prevent of relieve symptoms of angina attacks (such as chest pain, tightness in the chest and dyspnea)

Usage

Place a tablet under your tongue or in the cheek when you begin to feel an angina attack starting. If symptoms are not relieved in 5 minutes, please go to emergency room (or call an ambulance) immediately and take a second tablet. DO NOT drive yourself to the ER during an angina attack. On the way to the emergency room, if the pain continues for another 5 minutes, a third tablet may be used. (DO NOT use more than 3 tablets within a 15-minute period.) Inform your doctor that you have already taken nitroglycerin.

Precautions

• You may feel dizzy, become lightheaded or fainted after using the medication, therefore it is safer to sit rather than stand while taking NTG. If dizziness or lightheadedness occurs, take several deep breaths and bend forward with your head between your knees. This will relieve the uncomfortable symptoms.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had any allergic reactions to nitroglycerin or any other medicines.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have hypotension, congestive heart failure or renal diseases.
• Common side effects of nitroglycerin include dizziness and headache. As a result, DO NOT drive or operate machinery until you figure out how this medication affects you.
• DO NOT eat, drink or smoke within 5-10 minutes after taking the medication.
• Avoid pouring too many tablets at once or handling the medicine for too long. The moisture in the palms of your hands will make the medication melt. Tighten the cap on the bottle immediately after taking the medicine.
• Taking nitroglycerin with Viagra®, Levitra® or Cialis® is NOT recommended.

Please go to the emergency room if you have any of the following problems:

Allergic reactions: skin rash, urticaria, swelling or pain in mouth/throat and/or dyspnea (difficulty breathing).

Other situations: lip or nail becoming blue, loss of consciousness, blurred vision, dry mouth, chest pain and/or bradycardia.

Please contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions:

Persistent flushing, nausea or vomiting

Storage

• Keep this medicine in its original glass container in a cool and dry place.
• Store nitroglycerin away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• To protect against loss of potency, please store the medication as directed above.
• Keep the medicine out of reach of children.

※ Please consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Contact information

•  Chi Mei Medical Center：
•  Chi Mei Hospital, Liouying：
•  Chi Mei Hospital, Chiali：
•  Drug Information 

What is this medication?

NITROGLYCERIN (nye troe GLI ser in) prevents and treats chest pain (angina). It works by relaxing blood vessels, which decreases the amount of work the heart has to do. It belongs to a group of medications called nitrates.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Nitroquick, Nitrostat, Nitrotab

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth as needed. Use at the first sign of an angina attack (chest pain or tightness). You can also take this medication 5 to 10 minutes before an event likely to produce chest pain. Follow the directions exactly as written on the prescription label. Place one tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve. Do not swallow whole. Replace the dose if you accidentally swallow it. It will help if your mouth is not dry. Saliva around the tablet will help it to dissolve more quickly. Do not eat or drink, smoke or chew tobacco while a tablet is dissolving. Sit down when taking this medication.

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. Do not take more than 3 doses in 15 minutes. Your care team might give you other directions. Follow those directions if they do. Do not take your medication more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is only used as needed.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

This medication may also interact with the following:

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your care team if you feel your medication is no longer working.

Keep this medication with you at all times. Sit or lie down when you take your medication to prevent falling if you feel dizzy or faint after using it. Try to remain calm. This will help you to feel better faster. If you feel dizzy, take several deep breaths and lie down with your feet propped up, or bend forward with your head resting between your knees.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or pain while you are taking this medication without asking your care team for advice. Some ingredients may increase your blood pressure.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Store in original container. Protect from light and moisture. Keep tightly closed. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What should I check after administering nitroglycerin?

What is the most common adverse effect of nitroglycerin for which the patient is monitored?

Which of the following is most likely a side effect of nitroglycerin?

What are the side effects for nitroglycerin?