Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin is a medicine used to treat chest pain called angina. Take
nitroglycerin as directed by your doctor.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using
this medicine.
• Always keep your nitroglycerin with you.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up or
get out of bed. Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
• Avoid alcohol while using nitroglycerin.
• Keep nitroglycerin in its original bottle to keep its strength. The medicine
should cause a sting or a tingle under your tongue.
• Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.
If you use tablets:
1. Sit down and rest 2-3 minutes.
2. If you have chest pain or discomfort that is not better with rest, place 1
tablet under your tongue. Do not swallow the tablet.
3. If you still have chest pain after 5 minutes, put a second tablet under your
tongue.
4. If the chest pain does not go away after another 5 minutes, use a third
tablet. You may take up to 3 tablets in 15 minutes.
5. If you still have pain, call 911. Do not drive yourself to the hospital
because you may be having a heart attack.
If you use spray:
1. Sit down and rest for 2-3 minutes.
2. If you have chest pain or discomfort that is not better with rest, hold the
can up with the spray button on top as close to your mouth as you can.
3. Press down on the button and spray the medicine onto your tongue or
under it. Don’t swallow right away. Wait 10 seconds.
4. If your chest pain lasts longer than 5 minutes, spray a second dose into
your mouth.
5. If the chest pain does not go away after another 5 minutes, spray a third
dose. You may use up to 3 sprays in 15 minutes.
6. If you still have pain, call 911. Do not drive yourself to the hospital
because you may be having a heart attack.