Table of contents:
- What is nitroglycerin?
- Sublingual nitroglycerin side effects
- How to use sublingual nitroglycerin
- Do not use this medication without a doctor's advice
Have you ever heard of a nitroglycerin drug? Many people think that this is a "god" drug, a drug that can save lives in an emergency, especially for people with heart disease. However, is that true? Can nitroglycerin be given in all conditions? What are the side effects of giving this medicine without a clear medical indication?
What is nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin is a drug that usually has to be purchased by prescription. This medication is usually available as a sublingual tablet, which means, to take it, you have to put it under your tongue or on the inside of your cheek. Apart from that, this drug is also available in a form spray, aerosol, slow-release oral capsules, patches, and ointments. Nitroglycerin is also available in the form of an injectable liquid, but it should only be administered by health workers.
Nitroglycerin is commonly used to treat chest pain (angina). Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart doesn't get an adequate supply of oxygen. The feeling that is experienced is usually like being pressed by a heavy load and can be felt in the chest, neck, left arm, and even the lower jaw.
Nitroglycerin itself is a drug that is included in the group vasodilator, which means this drug works by widening the diameter of blood vessels. Other medicines that are in this group are also commonly used to treat chest pain.
Sublingual nitroglycerin side effects
Sublingual tablet nitroglycerin can have side effects such as:
- headache
- dizzy
- weakness
- increased heart rate
- nausea
- gag
- flushing or redness of the skin
- rash
If the side effects are mild, they usually go away on their own within a few days or weeks. If these symptoms do not disappear or even get worse, you should immediately consult a doctor.
In addition to the above side effects, the most dreaded side effect of using this drug is the occurrence of hypotension or a drastic drop in blood pressure. This condition can be life threatening. Therefore, immediately call an ambulance or take the patient to the nearest hospital if after taking nitroglycerin the patient experiences symptoms:
- dizzy
- passed out
- blurred vision
- nausea
- cool, moisturized skin
- rapid and shallow breathing
How to use sublingual nitroglycerin
This medicine is only indicated for sufferers of angina or chest pain due to heart attacks and is only taken when needed. In case of pain, place one tablet under the tongue, and let the tablet dissolve on its own.
Do not swallow this drug directly. Do not smoke and consume any food or drink while taking this medicine. If your condition does not improve after 5 minutes of taking one nitroglycerin tablet, immediately go to the nearest emergency room or call an ambulance. Do not take more than three tablets in 15 minutes.
If your doctor has prescribed this medicine to you for a heart attack or chest pain caused by heart disease, always carry this medicine with you wherever you go. Sit or lie down if you are taking this medicine to avoid falling due to dizziness or fainting after taking this medicine. If you feel dizzy, stay calm, take a few deep breaths, and lie down with your feet up (higher than your heart).
Do not use this medication without a doctor's advice
Nitroglycerin, like other drugs, is a drug that should only be used under special circumstances. In this case, nitroglycerin is a drug commonly used to treat heart attacks or chest pain caused by heart. Because of the wide range of side effects and drug interactions that can result, this drug should not be used without a doctor's instructions. If you are facing an emergency condition and do not know the cause, it is better if you do not give any medicine and immediately take the patient to the nearest hospital.
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