Pronunciation: NYE-troe-GLIS-er-in
Generic Name: Nitroglycerin
Brand Name: Nitro-Bid
Nitroglycerin Ointment is used for:
Preventing chronic chest pain caused by heart disease. It also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Nitroglycerin Ointment is a nitrate. It works by relaxing (widening) blood vessels. Chest pain occurs when the heart needs more oxygen than it can get. Relaxing blood vessels allows blood to flow more easily. This reduces the heart's workload and the amount of oxygen needed by the heart.
Do NOT use Nitroglycerin Ointment if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Nitroglycerin Ointment
- you have increased pressure in or severe injury to the head
- you have severe anemia
- you are taking a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Nitroglycerin Ointment:
Some medical conditions may interact with Nitroglycerin Ointment. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you drink alcoholic beverages
- if you have a history of other heart problems (eg, heart failure, enlarged heart, heart attack), overactive thyroid, stroke or other bleeding in the brain, or recent head injury
- if you have anemia, low blood pressure, dehydration, or low blood volume
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nitroglycerin Ointment. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem), diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), medicines for high blood pressure, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil) because the risk of low blood pressure and dizziness on standing may be increased
- Salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may increase the risk of Nitroglycerin Ointment's side effects
- Alteplase because the effectiveness of Nitroglycerin Ointment may be decreased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nitroglycerin Ointment may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Nitroglycerin Ointment:
Use Nitroglycerin Ointment as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Nitroglycerin Ointment refilled.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment is for external use only.
- Wash hands before and after applying.
- Apply using the applicator. Place the applicator on a flat surface with the printed side down. Squeeze the prescribed amount of ointment from the tube onto the applicator. Place the applicator on the skin with the ointment side down on the desired area of skin. Using the applicator, spread the ointment in a thin, uniform layer. Cover the area with plastic wrap held in place with adhesive tape.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the old dose when you apply a new dose.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment lasts for about 6 hours. Do not use more of Nitroglycerin Ointment than prescribed. It is important to have a "nitrate-free" period of time for 10 to 12 hours each day for Nitroglycerin Ointment to continue to work well and to decrease the risk of physical dependence.
- If you miss a dose of Nitroglycerin Ointment, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nitroglycerin Ointment.
Important safety information:
- Nitroglycerin Ointment may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Nitroglycerin Ointment with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are using Nitroglycerin Ointment. Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of low blood pressure with Nitroglycerin Ointment.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Sit down while taking Nitroglycerin Ointment to avoid falling caused by lightheadedness or dizziness.
- Contact your doctor right away if you develop slow heartbeat or new or worsening chest pain after you take Nitroglycerin Ointment.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Nitroglycerin Ointment before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment may give you daily headaches. This should become less noticeable with time.
- Other dosage forms of Nitroglycerin Ointment (eg, sublingual, or under the tongue, tablets) may not work as well while you are taking Nitroglycerin Ointment.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment takes about 1 to 2 hours to start working and should not be used for a sudden chest pain attack.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment may stain clothing.
- Lab tests, including heart function, blood pressure, and blood electrolyte levels, may be performed while you use Nitroglycerin Ointment. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Nitroglycerin Ointment with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Nitroglycerin Ointment while you are pregnant. It is not known if Nitroglycerin Ointment is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Nitroglycerin Ointment, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
When used for long periods of time without a break, Nitroglycerin Ointment may not work as well. This is known as TOLERANCE. Increasing the dose is not effective in managing tolerance to Nitroglycerin Ointment. Tolerance to other nitrates or nitrites may also occur. Be sure to have a "nitrate-free" period of time each day to help prevent this tolerance. Talk with your doctor if Nitroglycerin Ointment stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.
Some people who use Nitroglycerin Ointment for a long time without a break may develop a physical need to continue taking it. This is known as physical DEPENDENCE. If you use Nitroglycerin Ointment without a break and then suddenly stop using it, you may get WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include chest pain, heart attack, or possibly sudden death. Be sure to have a "nitrate-free" period of time each day; this may help prevent dependence and withdrawal problems.
Possible side effects of Nitroglycerin Ointment:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when sitting up or standing; flushing of face and neck; headache; nausea; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; dry mouth; fainting; flushing; heavy sweating; irregular heartbeat; new or worsening chest pain; pale skin; pounding in the chest; rapid heartbeat; severe dizziness or headache; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; slow heartbeat; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Nitroglycerin side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include cold or blue skin; confusion; diarrhea; excessive sweating; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; persistent throbbing headache; seizures; trouble breathing; vision problems.
Proper storage of Nitroglycerin Ointment:
Store Nitroglycerin Ointment at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Nitroglycerin Ointment out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Nitroglycerin Ointment, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Nitroglycerin Ointment is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Nitroglycerin Ointment. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Nitroglycerin resources
- Nitroglycerin Side Effects (in more detail)
- Nitroglycerin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Nitroglycerin Drug Interactions
- Nitroglycerin Support Group
- 6 Reviews for Nitroglycerin - Add your own review/rating
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