What is nitroglycerin?
Nitroglycerin is in a group of drugs called nitrates. Nitroglycerin dilates (widens) blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow through them and easier for the heart to pump.
Nitroglycerin is used to treat or prevent attacks of chest pain (angina).
Nitroglycerin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about nitroglycerin?
Do not use nitroglycerin if you are taking sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra). Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take nitroglycerin while you are using sildenafil.
Nitroglycerin can cause severe headaches, especially when you first start using it. These headaches may gradually become less severe as you continue to use nitroglycerin. Do not stop taking the medication. Ask your doctor before using any headache pain medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nitroglycerin?
Do not use nitroglycerin if you are taking sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra). Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take nitroglycerin while you are using sildenafil.
Do not use this medication without the advice of a doctor if you have early signs of a heart attack (chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling). Seek emergency medical attention if you have symptoms of a heart attack.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to nitroglycerin or other nitrates such as isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate, Isordil, Isochron) or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur, ISMO, Monoket), or if you have:
severe anemia (a lack of red blood cells); or
a brain injury, hemorrhage, or tumor.
To make sure you can safely take nitroglycerin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
congestive heart failure;
a history of heart attack, stroke, or head injury;
low blood pressure;
glaucoma;
migraine headaches; or
liver disease.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether nitroglycerin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
It is not known whether nitroglycerin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Nitroglycerin can cause severe headaches, especially when you first start using it. These headaches may gradually become less severe as you continue to use nitroglycerin. Do not stop taking the medication. Ask your doctor before using any headache pain medication.