How Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate works

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is a nitrate.It reduces the workload of the heart. As a result, the heart muscle does not need as much blood and oxygen supply.

Side Effects

Headache, Dizziness, Flushing of face, Increased heart rate, Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)

Usage

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is used in the treatment of chest pain (Angina).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrate vasodilators.

Q. What does Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate treat?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is used to prevent or stop angina pectoris (chest pain due to blockage of blood vessels of the heart) and stop spasms in the blood vessels of the heart.

Q. Is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate a vasodilator?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrate vasodilators. It works by relaxing the blood vessels of the heart, reducing the strain on the heart and making it easier to pump blood.

Q. How does Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate cause vasodilation?

Vasodilation with Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is achieved by the release of nitric oxide which causes the dilatation (widening) of the blood vessels by relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels.

Q. How is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is taken?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is taken in the form of sublingual tablets, sprays, and transdermal patches for the treatment of angina pectoris (chest pain due to blockage of blood vessels of the heart).

Q. Is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate a beta blocker?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is not a beta blocker. Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrate vasodilators.

Q. Is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate harmful?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is safe if taken for prescribed duration in prescribed doses as advised by your doctor.

Q. Is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate a steroid?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is not a steroid. Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrate vasodilators.

Q. What is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate spray used for?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate spray is used to relieve the pain of an angina attack as soon as it has started. It is also used to prevent angina caused by exercise, emotional stress or exposure to cold.

Q. How does Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate spray work?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate spray is a metered aerosol which delivers a fixed amount of Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate, the active ingredient, each time the button is pressed. It is to be used under your tongue and should not be inhaled. It is used to relieve the pain of an angina attack as soon as it has started. It is also used to prevent angina caused by exercise, emotional stress or exposure to cold.

Q. Why is Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate given sublingually?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is given sublingually because it is readily absorbed from the oral mucosa. Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate is also readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but due to its large breakdown (extensive first-pass metabolism) in the liver, its bioavailability (fraction of a given dose in an unchanged form that reaches the systemic circulation) is decreased.

Q. Does glyceryl trinitrate work like sildenafil?

Both sildenafil and glyceryl trinitrate work by dilation of blood vessels which helps in a better blood flow but the mechanisms are entirely different and they are used for different conditions. Sildenafil is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and glyceryl trinitrate is used for the treatment of chest pain. Please consult your doctor before taking any medicine for your disease conditions.

Q. Does Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate work?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate works if taken in a dose for the time for which it is advised by your doctor.

Q. Why does Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate cause a headache?

Headache is a side effect of Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate and this can be due to the dilation of cerebral arteries (those arteries supplying different parts of the brain). It usually disappears within several days of continued treatment.

Q. How does Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate relieve angina pectoris?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrate vasodilators. It acts by the release of nitric oxide which causes the dilatation (widening) of the blood vessels by relaxing its smooth muscles. This reduces the strain on the heart by making it easier to pump blood. In this manner, Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate relieves pain in angina pectoris.

Q. How does Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate reduce blood pressure?

Nitroglycerin / Glyceryl Trinitrate reduces the blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels and decreasing the workload of the heart. However, it is not used for the treatment of high blood pressure.