Thursday, November 20, 2008
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NITROGLYCERIN
Medication use
Nitroglycerin is used when you have any discomfort that may be related to your heart. This discomfort may appear as: chest pain, chest pressure, chest tightness, discomfort in the arms or neck, indigestion in the chest or sudden shortness of breath.
Action of medication
Dilates the coronary arteries and improves blood flow and oxygen to the heart.
Special Instructions
1. Before using your nitroglycerin, you should sit down. This medication may cause headaches or dizziness, which will subside shortly after use.
2. Spray the medication once under your tongue or place one tablet under your tongue.
3. Observe for any changes in your symptom(s).
4. If after five minutes your symptom(s) do not resolve, repeat the process of spraying the medication under your tongue or placing another pill under your tongue.
5. Observe for any changes in your symptom(s).
6. If after an additional five minutes your symptom(s) do not resolve, use the spray or pill one more time under the tongue and call the paramedics to take you to the hospital.
*Nitroglycerin pills should remain in their original container and should be
replaced yearly.
*Nitroglycerin spray does not require any special storage and does not lose its
potency.