Nitroglycerin is prescribed to patients who experience angina (chest pain) primarily resulting from coronary artery disease. Less commonly patients may buy nitroglycerin to treat other conditions, such as heart failure, hypertension, and to prevent angina due to cocaine use.

The medication comes in intravenous solution, patches, sublingual (below the tongue) sprays, and, perhaps most widely used, sublingual or buccal (between the gum and cheek) tablets. While patients may buy nitroglycerin for any of the uses above, it is most commonly used to prevent heart pain or heart attack; the medication works best when used intermittently in small doses.

Patients can develop tolerance to nitroglycerin, rendering it less effective over time, if it is used often.

Treatment Overview

The dose is ideally the lowest possible while still being effective. A doctor should determine dosage, and instructions for use should be followed. However, in most cases treatment in the same, though it varies to some extent on if the medication is used as a preventative or active measure.

In its most common use, nitroglycerin is used as-needed to either prevent or halt angina. In these two instances the medication is used shortly before---about 5 to 10 minutes---anticipated chest pain, such as due to physical activity, or shortly after the chest pain has started.

To prevent angina:

• Administer one dose of nitroglycerin 5 to 10 minutes prior to physical activity.

To stop angina that is occurring:

• Administer one dose of nitroglycerin.
• If chest pain has worsened after the first dose, seek emergency medical attention.
• After 5 minutes, administer a second dose, if needed.
• After 5 minutes, administer a third dose, if needed.
• If chest pain has not stopped after the third dose, seek emergency medical attention.

In both cases doses should be administered directly to the mouth, either dissolved in the mouth under the tongue or in the buccal pouch, or sprayed directly under the tongue; this is what makes the medication work so quickly. Tablets should not be swallowed. Administration is best done from a resting position, ideally sitting down.

Patients who buy nitroglycerin patches should follow their doctor's instructions regarding use. These are often applied in 12-hours-on-12-hours-off schedules, but usage may vary considerably from patient to patient.

Important Precautions

The number one most-commonly reported side effect from nitroglycerin is actually a sign the medication is working: headache. Headaches can be treated with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen. If headaches are persistant or very severe, consult a doctor.

Other side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Flushing
• Nausea
• Burning or tingling under the tongue

Very rarely more serious side effects occur, which call for immediate medical attention:

• Fainting
• Fast heartbeat
• Pounding heartbeat
• Irregular heartbeat

Nitroglycerin is known to interact with a few other medications, most notably:

• Alcohol
• Aspirin
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Anticholinergics
• Ergotamine
• PDE-5 inhibitors

Patients taking ergotamine and PDE-5 inhibitors (Cialis, Viagra, and so forth) should not take nitroglycerin. The others can be used with caution after discussing potential risks with a doctor.

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Clients will need a prescription to buy nitroglycerin. Our online doctor can issue a prescription to qualifying patients at no additional cost---simply begin the checkout procedure and answer the questions on the following page.

Patients who already have a prescription to buy nitroglycerin will be provided with options to transfer it to us after completing checkout.

Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is always standing by to help if you have any questions or need help with your order.