Cardiac Medications
Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin is one of the oldest medications available for the treatment
of angina and heart disease. Nitroglycerin dilates blood vessels reducing
the workload of the heart and improves blood flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin
is used under the tongue to treat attacks of angina. Follow these directions
for the use of Nitroglycerin.
If you have chest pain:
Stop what you are doing. If the discomfort does not subside within several
minutes, take a Nitroglycerin under your tongue. Avoid swallowing while
the tablet dissolves. When doing so you should ensure that you are sitting
or lying. Nitroglycerin can lower the blood pressure and cause dizziness.
Avoid standing after taking the medications for approximately 20 minutes.
There are two different sizes of Nitroglycerin tablets, 0.3 mg and 0.6
mg. Nitroglycerin is also available in spray form (0.4 mg). You may take
one 0.3 mg tablet or one 0.4 mg spray every fives minutes up to a total
of four doses or one 0.6 mg every 10 minutes up to a total of two to three
doses. You should never use Nitroglycerin while driving.
It is not possible to take too many Nitroglycerins however, if your angina
has not subsided after 20 to 30 minutes, then there is a chance you may
be having a heart attack and you should either contact your physician
immediately or have someone take you to the nearest hospital.
Nitroglycerin must be fresh to be effective. Cap the bottle quickly and
tightly after each use. Replace unopened bottle after three months even
if there are tablets left. Protect tablets from light.
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