Have you ever heard of a special medicine that is given to someone who suddenly has chest pain or whose blood pressure is so high that they have to be taken to the hospital? Nitroglycerin is a life-saving injection that is used in such emergencies. Let's talk about it in more detail today, because it is very important for everyone to be aware of such things.
What is this medicine called nitroglycerin? Simply put...
Nitroglycerin is a medicine used to treat severe high blood pressure and heart failure, such as heart attacks . It is also used to treat chest pain, also known as angina .
Think of the blood vessels in our body as pipes that carry water. What this medicine does is widen those blood vessels a little, which means relaxing the blood vessels . This allows blood to flow more easily, which decreases blood pressure . It also reduces the amount of work the heart has to do to pump blood. This belongs to a class of drugs called nitrates.
Sometimes doctors may use this medicine for other conditions as well. So if you have any questions, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine is sometimes available under brand names such as Nitronal or Tridil.
What are the things you need to tell your healthcare team before using this medicine?
Before you are given this nitroglycerin injection, it is very important that the doctor or nurse knows your full medical history. Be sure to tell them about the following:
- If you have anemia : This means that there is a lack of blood in the body.
- If you have had a head injury, recently had a stroke, or have bleeding in the brain.
- If you have heart disease : That means if you are already taking medication for a heart condition, that's okay.
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have an allergic reaction to nitroglycerin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives. This is very important!
- If you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are breastfeeding.
Only by telling these facts accurately will doctors be able to treat you safely.
How is this medicine administered to the body?
This is an intravenous injection, which means it is given into a vein . It is usually given only in a hospital or clinic. That means under the supervision of a doctor or a trained nurse.
Important: This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else. Also, this is not a medicine that you will use at home regularly.
If you are giving this medicine to young children, you should discuss it with your doctor. Although it is given in some selected cases, there are precautions that apply.
Overdose: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, that is, an overdose, call a poison control center or emergency room immediately.
What if I miss a dose? This usually doesn't apply. This is because this is not a medication that is used frequently, but rather an emergency medication.
What other medications may interact with nitroglycerin?
This is something to be very careful about . There are some medications that can have very dangerous effects if taken with nitroglycerin.
Never take nitroglycerin with these medications:
- Some medications used for migraines: for example, ergotamine and dihydroergotamine (DHE).
- Erectile dysfunction medications: For example, sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. Taking these can cause a very low blood pressure, which can be dangerous.
- A drug called Riociguat .
These medications can also interact with nitroglycerin:
- Alteplase
- Aspirin
- Heparin
- Other medications for high blood pressure
- Medications for mental depression
- Other medications for angina
- Phenothiazines: For example, chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine.
This list does not include all interactions. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, over-the-counter medicines, and dietary supplements) . Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some of these can interact with this medicine.
What are the special things to be careful about when taking this medicine?
When you are given this nitroglycerin injection, your condition will be monitored very closely by the doctors and nursing staff.
- You may feel drowsy or dizzy . Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires concentration until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Don't stand or sit up suddenly , especially if you're elderly. Doing so can reduce the chance of dizziness and falling.
- Avoid drinking alcohol . Alcohol can make you more sleepy and dizzy.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medicine, nitroglycerin can cause some side effects, but not everyone gets them.
If anything like this happens, tell the medical team immediately:
- Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Symptoms of a condition called methemoglobinemia: This is when the blood's ability to carry oxygen is reduced. Symptoms include: headache, unusual weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and blue skin or lips.
- Increased pressure around the brain: Severe headache, blurred vision, changes in vision, nausea, vomiting.
- Low blood pressure: Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision.
- Slow heartbeat: dizziness, fainting, confusion, difficulty breathing, unusual weakness.
- Chest pain (angina) worsening: Pain or tightness in the chest, neck, back, or arms.
Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist and become bothersome:
- Dizziness
- Redness of the face, flushing
- Headache
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor. You can also report these side effects to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How do you store this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home. It is only given in a hospital or clinic . So you don't have to keep it at home.
The most important thing to remember (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so, I hope you can remember a few important things from what we've talked about with the nitroglycerin injection.
Simply put, this can be a life-saving drug used in emergencies, especially for heart problems and high blood pressure.
- This is given under the supervision of a doctor, in a hospital.
- It is very important to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medications you are taking.
- Using this with some medications can be very dangerous , so be aware of that as well.
- Be aware of side effects , and if you notice anything unusual, tell your medical team immediately.
I hope this information is helpful to you. Always remember, if you have any questions about your health, it is best to consult a doctor.
` Nitroglycerin, heart attack, angina, high blood pressure, nitrates, emergency care, vaccination
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න