Among heart disease drugs, nitrate drugs or emergency drugs commonly known as “nitroglycerin tablets” can be said to be one of the life-saving drugs that patients are familiar with. Correct use can not only relieve angina pectoris, but also win gold for patients with myocardial infarction. First aid time, but if misused, it may also cause horrific consequences!

This article explains to you what nitroglycerin tablets are, the functions of nitroglycerin, the timing of use and instructions for use, so that you will no longer feel confused when facing your relatives, friends or yourself when you encounter a heart crisis.

What is Nitroglycerin (NTG)

Nitroglycerin (NTG) was first invented by the Italian chemist Ascanio in 1847. Synthesized by Ascanio Sobrero, it was initially used to make explosives, but after a series of medical experiments, nitroglycerin also began to be used as a medical drug.

Most nitroglycerin drugs are available in the form of sublingual tablets. Patients only need to put the tablets in their mouth and hold them under their tongue, and the drug’s effect will be released. Common medications such as NITROSTAT.

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets

The pharmacological mechanism of nitroglycerin is mainly by providing nitric oxide, which can be dissolved under the tongue into the veins within 30 seconds. After being absorbed by the vascular endothelial cells, it can instantly and powerfully expand the vascular smooth muscle, increase the oxygen supply, and temporarily achieve emergency improvement. Effects of narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries. ​

8 Instructions for Using Nitroglycerin Sublingual Tablets

1. Do not use it together with vasodilator drugs such as Viagra to avoid dangerous drops in blood pressure.
   
2. Side effects of the drug include headache, dizziness, skin redness, body fever, etc. After taking the drug, you should avoid driving or operating industrial machinery to avoid danger.
   
3. Since one of the side effects of taking the medicine may cause dizziness, you should sit or semi-recumbent when taking the medicine to increase the effect and avoid accidents.
   
4. Patients with coronary heart disease can keep Nagangin in their bags so that they can be taken immediately when an angina pectoris attacks.
   
5. To prevent the medicine from deteriorating, please avoid storing it in an environment with high temperature, humidity, or direct sunlight, and discard it 6 months after opening (it is recommended to mark the opening date on the bottle).
   
6. Do not place it where children can easily access it.
   
7. Those who are pregnant, have low blood pressure, have kidney disease, or need to breastfeed should inform their doctor first to determine whether alternative medication is necessary or necessary.
   
8. Nitroglycerin is only for emergency use. Chest pain improves due to temporary dilation of blood vessels, which does not mean it has been cured. Further medical diagnosis should be arranged with the physician after the visit.

How to use nitroglycerin sublingual tablets?

1. If you feel obvious chest tightness, such as heavy objects pressing on your chest or chest pain, sit down and rest first to avoid dizziness due to a drop in blood pressure after taking the medicine, which may lead to falls and injuries. Then hold a sublingual tablet under the tongue (do not chew it) or swallow) and allow the tablet to dissolve on its own.
   
2. If symptoms are not significantly relieved, wait five minutes before taking the second tablet.
   
3. If symptoms are not significantly relieved, wait five minutes before taking the third tablet.
   
4. If you still feel very uncomfortable after taking 3 tablets, it means that the coronary arteries are seriously blocked and you should call 999 for medical treatment immediately.

Can nitroglycerin be given to others?

Of course not! Since it is impossible to know for sure whether other people’s discomfort symptoms are caused by insufficient coronary blood flow, even though the emergency rescue effect of nitroglycerin sublingual tablets is very significant, it is still mainly aimed at patients with coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Rush administration may cause the patient’s condition deterioration.

Not only that, but nitroglycerin is not a “common medication” or a “life-saving miracle drug” that everyone should prepare. Nitroglycerin is a prescription drug, and it is generally only patients with a history of coronary heart disease who need to be prescribed sublingual tablets according to the doctor’s judgment to prevent angina attacks.

The risk of using drugs without authorization lies in whether the “self-interpretation of symptoms” is correct? When angina pectoris attacks, most people complain of chest pain and chest tightness. However, what is considered “chest pain or chest tightness caused by coronary heart disease” cannot be determined by a single symptom. If you feel heart discomfort and want to take sublingual tablets, I am afraid it will increase unnecessary risks.

For example, if you rush to take sublingual tablets when you have low blood pressure, the blood vessels will rapidly expand, causing the patient’s blood pressure to further drop, leading to fainting (fainting) or shock.

Therefore, nitroglycerin drugs should not be provided to anyone by themselves, or purchased and taken by themselves without diagnosis, causing irreparable regrets!

Spray Form of Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin spray treats chest pain by relaxing your blood vessels. It reduces the amount of work your heart has to do. You can use this spray in your mouth at the first sign of chest pain or a few minutes before an event that causes chest pain occurs.

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