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Nitroglycerin

Brand names: Nitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur

Nitroglycerin quickly relieves chest pain from angina by widening blood vessels. It comes as tablets under the tongue, spray, patches, and ointment.

Brand namesNitrostat, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur
Type of medicineNitrate (angina medicine)
Prescription?Prescription
ImportantThis page is general information, not a prescription. Don't start, stop, or change a medicine without talking to your provider or pharmacist.

Overview

Fast-acting forms treat an attack; patches and ointment help prevent attacks.

What it's used for

  • Relieving an angina attack
  • Preventing angina before activity
  • Preventing angina (patches)

How to take it

  • At the first sign of chest pain, sit down and use one dose under the tongue or one spray.
  • If pain isn't better or is worse 5 minutes after the first dose, call 911 right away.
  • Keep tablets in their original glass bottle, tightly closed, and replace before the expiration date.
  • Remove patches for 10 to 14 hours each day as directed so they keep working.

Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

Side effects

Common side effects

  • Headache
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
Call 911Chest pain that doesn't improve 5 minutes after one dose
Call 911Fainting

Warnings

  • Sit down before using it; it can make you dizzy.

Other medicines, foods, and alcohol

  • Never take with erectile dysfunction medicines (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil) or riociguat. Blood pressure can drop dangerously.
  • Alcohol and blood pressure medicines add to dizziness.

Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Talk with your provider.

Missed doses, overdose, and storage

If you miss a dose

This medicine is often taken only when needed. If you take it on a schedule, take a missed dose when you remember, unless it's almost time for the next one. Don't double up.

If someone takes too much

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.

Storing it

Keep tablets in their original glass bottle with the cap tight, at room temperature. Carry them with you, but not in a pocket against your body.

Conditions it's used for

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.