Nitroglycerin (0.4mg)
GTN Spray should be taken at the first sign of chest pain. It should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Seek medical help immediately if your chest pain continues for more than 15 minutes. Some people may be advised to use this medicine prior to any exertional activity or exercise, which may precipitate angina.The most common side effect of this medicine is a headache which may be severe. This can sometimes be helped by drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding alcohol. You may also experience lightheadedness, which could increase your risk of having a fall, and other side effects such as flushing, weakness, and increased heart rate.Do not use this medicine if you are taking medicines to treat high blood pressure in your lungs (pulmonary hypertension), or erectile dysfunction; or if you have anemia or glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye). Always tell your doctor what other health conditions you have and what other medicines you are taking. It is best not to drink alcohol with this medicine as it increases some of the side effects. If you are affected by dizziness, avoid driving. If you are pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before taking this medicine.
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about themCommon side effects of GTN
200 MDI Sublingual Spray
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To use the spray, open your mouth, lift your tongue and press the bottle button down firmly to spray the medicine under your tongue. Close your mouth after you have sprayed the dose. You should not shake the bottle before use. GTN Spray may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
GTN Spray is a nitrate. It works by improving blood supply to heart and relaxing the blood vessels which decreases the oxygen demand of the heart and reduces its workload. It thus prevents/treats attacks of angina (chest pain). Relaxation of blood vessels lowers blood pressure.
Related Warnings
Consuming alcohol while taking GTN Spray may cause symptoms such as flushing, increased heart beat, nausea, thirst, chest pain and low blood pressure (Disulfiram reaction).
GTN Spray is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.
GTN Spray is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
GTN Spray may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
GTN Spray is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of GTN Spray may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
There is limited information available on the use of GTN Spray in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
GTN Spray starts working very quickly. If the medicine is kept under the tongue, the effect starts 1-3 minutes later and reaches its maximum within 5 minutes.
GTN Spray decreases the blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels, but is not recommended for the treatment of high blood pressure. The drop in blood pressure may cause lightheadedness, especially when changing your position suddenly.
Yes, excessive use of GTN Spray may cause tolerance which means that GTN Spray may lose its effectiveness on you. Therefore, usually the doctors prescribe the smallest dose required for effective relief of acute angina attack. This helps maintain the effectiveness of GTN Spray.
Excess GTN Spray may result in low blood pressure, sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, weak and fast pulse. It may also cause weakness, lightheadedness on standing and the patient might even faint. The patient will require emergency medical treatment in such a case.
Stopping GTN Spray suddenly may bring on attacks of angina, especially if you have been using it for several weeks or more. Talk to your doctor who will advise you to reduce the dose gradually over 4 to 6 weeks before you stop using it completely.
GTN Spray is prescribed to prevent attacks of heart-related chest pain (angina) in patients with coronary artery disease. In this disease the blood vessels (coronary arteries) which supply blood to the heart become narrowed because of which the heart has to work harder to get enough oxygen. GTN Spray prevents angina by relaxing the blood vessels so that the heart does not have to work very hard. Also, relaxation of coronary arteries increases the oxygen supply to the heart.
No, you should not take GTN Spray if you have taken sildenafil. Taking these two medicines together may increase the risk of excessive fall in blood pressure, which is hazardous. Maintain a gap of at least 24 hours if you have to use GTN Spray after taking sildenafil.
