GLYCERYL TRINITRATE

Glyceryl trinitrate is a drug that leads to the formation of free radical nitric oxide (NO), which stimulates guanylate cyclase in the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessels. This further results in the relaxation of smooth muscles. It reduces oxygen demand on the heart and dilates heart arteries as well as improves circulation to ischemic areas. It is also known as nitroglycerine.

Uses

Glyceryl trinitrate is used in the treatment of heart failure, high blood pressure, and to chest pain associated with angina pectoris.

Warnings

Do not give Glyceryl trinitrate in people with the following medical conditions:

Uncorrected hypovolemia
Postural hypotension
Hypotension
Marked anemia
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
Constrictive pericarditis or pericardial tamponade
Aortic or mitral stenosis
Raised intracranial pressure (example cerebral hemorrhage, head trauma)
Migraine or recurrent headache
Closed-angle glaucoma
Concomitant use w/ phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors

Side Effects

Glyceryl trinitrate may give rise to the following side effects:

Orthostatic hypotension
Peripheral edema
Bradycardia
Tachycardia
Flushing
Hypotension
Syncope
Dizziness
Headache
Light-headedness
Nause
Vomiting
Xerostomia
Weakness
Paresthesia
Diaphoresis
Dyspnea
Rhinitis
Pharyngitis

Precautions

Precautions

Special precautions should be observed by the following:

Patients with hypothyroidism
Hypothermia
Malnutrition
Recent heart attack
Arterial hypoxemia due to severe anemia
Hypoxemia or ventilation/perfusion imbalance due to lung disease or ischemic heart failure
Severe kidney or liver impairment
Pregnancy
Lactation

Interactions

Glyceryl trinitrate may interact with the following medicines:

Vasodilators and other hypotensive drugs
Drugs that cause dry mouth (example TCAs, other antimuscarinics)
Acetylcysteine
Alteplase
Dihydroergotamine
PDE5 inhibitors (example sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil)
Riociguat and other organic nitrates with nitric oxide (NO) donors
Heparin

Overdose & Brands

Symptoms of Glyceryl trinitrate overdose include the following:

Hypotension
Reflex tachycardia
Pallor
Sweating
Diarrhea
Weak pulse
Collapse
Syncope
Dizziness
Headache
Asthenia
Nausea
Vomiting
Methemoglobinemia
Bradycardia
Psychosis and respiratory depression may occur in severe poisoning

Seek medical help immediately.

Available Brands:

Deponit NT 5, Nitrolingual, Nitronal, Nyserin, Transderm-Nitro 5