Glyceryl Trinitrate

About Glyceryl Trinitrate

This belongs to the group of medicines known as Nitrates.

Nitrates are used to treat and prevent the symptoms of angina (chest pain) and other heart conditions including heart failure.

Angina is pain or tightness of the chest caused by a lack of oxygen reaching the heart muscle. Nitrates work in two different ways. They widen the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle and they relax the veins that return blood from the body to the heart. Together these actions allow more oxygen to reach the heart muscle and reduce the work of the heart. This lowers the overall strain on the heart reducing the risk of angina and relieving the pain associated with an acute angina attack.

Glyceryl Trinitrate can be used to treat an angina attack or can be taken before exercise or exertion to help prevent an attack.

Glyceryl Trinitrate is available in sublingual (under the tongue) tablets, aerosol spray, buccal tablets (dissolve next to the cheek), patches, ointment and injection form. It is also available as a modified release tablet which means it is released slowly to give a more even effect..

Glyceryl Trinitrate is also sometimes known as: GTN; Coro-Nitro; Glytrin; Nitrolingual; Nitromin; Suscard; Sustac; Nitrocine; Nitronal; Deponit; Minitran; Nitrodur; Transiderm Nitro; Trintek; Percutol.. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before Using Glyceryl Trinitrate

Before using any of this preparation make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you suffer from heart, liver or kidney problems
• if you suffer from hypotension (low blood pressure)
• if you have recently suffered a head injury or brain haemorrhage
• if you suffer from anaemia
• if you suffer from thyroid problems
• if you suffer from glaucoma
• if you are taking any products to help treat erectile dysfunction
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to Take Glyceryl Trinitrate

• Your doctor will tell you when and how often you should take your medicine.
• Always read the manufacturer's information leaflet, if possible, before beginning treatment.
• Do not stop using this medicine without consulting your doctor.
• Sublingual Tablets: One tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve when needed as directed by your doctor.
• Aerosol Spray: Spray one or two sprays under your tongue. Close your mouth immediately after each spray.
• Buccal Tablet: The tablet should be put between your top lip and your gum just to the left or right of your front teeth and allowed to dissolve. It may take a few hours to completely disappear. Do not move the tablet around your mouth. Put the tablet to the other side of your front teeth the next time you take one.
• Modified release tablet: Swallow the tablet whole without crushing or chewing it. Take between meals.
• Patches and Ointment: Use this preparation exactly as directed by your doctor. The instructions on which part of the body you should place your patches or apply the ointment may vary, if in doubt where to place the patch or apply the ointment check the manufacturer's information leaflet you should have received with this preparation. The patches and ointment should be used on a different area of the skin each time.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of Glyceryl Trinitrate contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if empty.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Before taking any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with your pharmacist which medicines are safe for you to take alongside Glyceryl Trinitrate.
• If your angina symptoms are not helped after using your glyceryl trinitrate product speak to your doctor.
• This preparation may cause dizziness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing other jobs, which could be dangerous, if you were not fully alert.
• If you feel dizzy, particularly when getting up from a sitting or lying position, getting up slowly may help.
• Alcohol can make the dizziness worse. If you drink alcohol, drink only a little and be aware of its effect on you.
• Before having any kind of surgery, including dental or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon you are taking Glyceryl Trinitrate.

Can Glyceryl Trinitrate cause problems?

Along with their needed effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your pharmacist or doctor if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Throbbing headache, hot flushes, dizziness and fast or fluttering heartbeat.

Injection only: If you have been given the injection you may feel sick, sweat, feel restless, have twitching muscles, stomach pain or faint.

If you experience any other worrying side effects, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your pharmacist or doctor.

How to store Glyceryl Trinitrate

• Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• The sublingual tablets should be kept in the container they came in and should be thrown away 8 weeks after opening.
• Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your local pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS 2005   Updated: 21/01/2005