Nitroquick

Nitroglycerin is a prescription medication used to treat or prevent episodes of angina (sudden chest pain). Nitroglycerin belongs to a group of drugs called nitrates which work by relaxing (widening) blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood.

This medication comes in tablet form to be dissolved under the tongue or between the cheek and gum at the first sign of chest pain. The dose may be repeated every 5 minutes until chest pain is relieved. Seek emergency medical attention if the pain persists after 3 doses.

Common side effects of nitroglycerin include headache, dizziness, and weakness.

Nitroquick is part of the drug classes:

• Antihemmorhoidal Muscle Relaxants

• Organic nitrates

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of nitroglycerin, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before using nitroglycerin, tell your doctor if you are taking:

• any medicines that are used to treat angina, heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat.
• any medicines that reduce blood pressure.
• any diuretics (water pills).
• medications to treat depression or psychiatric illness.
• ergotamine or similar drugs for migraine headaches.
• aspirin.
• the blood thinner medicine heparin.
• any medicines for erectile dysfunction.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known if nitroglycerin will harm your unborn baby.

Nitroglycerin should be kept in the original glass container and tightly capped after each use to prevent loss of tablet potency.

Store nitroglycerin tablets at room temperature (between 68° and 77°F).

In the U.S.

• Gonitro
• Nitrocot
• Nitrolingual
• NitroMist
• Nitroquick
• Nitrostat
• Nitrotab
• Nitro-Time

In Canada

• Gen-Nitro
• Nitrolingual Pumpspray

Available Dosage Forms:

• Spray
• Tablet, Extended Release
• Tablet
• Capsule, Extended Release
• Packet

Therapeutic Class: Antianginal

Chemical Class: Nitrate

If you will be taking this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not take avanafil (Stendra®), riociguat (Adempas®), sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), or vardenafil (Levitra®) while you are using this medicine. Using these medicines together may cause blurred vision, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. If you are taking these medicines and you have an angina attack, you must go to the hospital right away.

This medicine may cause headaches. These headaches are a sign that the medicine is working. Do not stop using the medicine or change the time you use it in order to avoid the headaches. If you have severe pain, talk with your doctor.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up quickly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. Also, lying down for a while may relieve dizziness or lightheadedness.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting is also more likely to occur if you drink alcohol, stand for long periods of time, exercise, or if the weather is hot. While you are taking this medicine, be careful to limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Also, use extra care during exercise or hot weather or if you must stand for long periods of time.

Do not stop using this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.

Blurred vision or dryness of the mouth may occur while using this medicine. Check with your doctor if this concerns you.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have cracks in the skin, feeling of warmth, loss of heat from the body, rash, red, swollen skin, redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest, or scaly skin while you are using this medicine.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have medical tests.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• difficult or labored breathing
• feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
• feeling of warmth or heat
• flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
• headache
• rapid weight gain
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unusual weight gain or loss

• Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
• dark urine
• fever
• pale skin
• rapid heart rate
• sore throat
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• chest tightness or heaviness
• confusion
• cough
• cracks in the skin
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of warmth
• hives, itching, or rash
• increased sweating
• loss of heat from the body
• nausea or vomiting
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red, swollen skin
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• scaly skin
• sensation of spinning
• weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

• Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
• blurred or loss of vision
• bulging soft spot on the head of an infant
• change in consciousness
• change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
• cold, clammy skin
• dark urine
• difficulty breathing
• disturbed color perception
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• double vision
• fever
• flushed skin
• halos around lights
• headache, severe and throbbing
• increased sweating
• loss of appetite
• loss of consciousness
• night blindness
• overbright appearance of lights
• pale skin
• paralysis
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sore throat
• tunnel vision
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• body aches or pain
• congestion
• hoarseness
• lack or loss of strength
• runny nose
• sneezing
• stuffy nose
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• voice changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Applies to nitroglycerin: buccal tablet extended release, intravenous solution, oral capsule extended release, rectal ointment, sublingual powder, sublingual spray, sublingual tablet, transdermal film extended release, transdermal ointment

General

The most common side effect is headache.[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 64%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, vertigo, drowsiness
Rare (0.1% to 0.01%): Severe and prolonged headache
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cerebral ischemia
Frequency not reported: Faintness, somnolence[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, angina increased, paradoxical bradycardia, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, blood pressure decreased, facial flushing
Uncommon (0.1 to 1%): Circulatory collapse
Rare (less than 0.1%): Bradycardia, cyanosis, flushing, heart rate increase
Frequency not reported: Crescendo angina, rebound hypertension, palpitations, hypertension, decreased arterial oxygen tension, severe arterial hypotension with bradycardia, transient flushing[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dry mouth
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Heartburn, halitosis
Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, retching, lip and tongue swelling[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dermatitis contact, erythema, pruritus, burning, irritation, eczema, urticaria
Rare (0.01 to 0.1%): Allergic skin reactions, rash
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Exfoliative dermatitis, drug rash
Frequency not reported: Cutaneous flushing, diaphoresis, angioedema
Postmarketing reports: Rash generalized[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, weakness
Frequency not reported: Retrosternal discomfort[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis
Frequency not reported: Allergic reaction, anaphylactoid reaction[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Restlessness
Frequency not reported: Apprehension[Ref]

Respiratory

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Impairment of respiration
Frequency not reported: Hypoxemia, dyspnea[Ref]

Hematologic

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Methemoglobinemia[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (less than 0.1%): Blurred vision
Frequency not reported: Increased ocular pressure[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Muscle twitching[Ref]

Some side effects of NitroQuick may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.