Nitrates are a class of drugs used to prevent and relieve chest pain (angina) caused by heart disease, especially due to disorders of the arteries in the heart.
Nitrates are vasodilator drugs. This drug works by widening the arteries and veins. That way, the flow of blood and oxygen can be smoother and the heart's work in pumping blood will be lighter.
Drugs belonging to the nitrate group include nitroglycerin or glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), isosorbide mononitrate, and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). Keep in mind, although it can be used to relieve chest pain due to heart disease (angina pectoris), nitrates do not cure heart disease.
Precautions Before Using Nitrates:
- Do not use drugs belonging to the nitrate class if you have a history of allergies to these drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Do not use nitrates if you have a history of severe anemia, hypotension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, cardiac tamponade, increased intracranial pressure, brain hemorrhage, head injury, conditions that can cause hypovolemia, such as bleeding.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of liver problems, kidney problems, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, myocardial infarction, pulmonary edema, pericarditis, or malnutrition.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism and drug abuse.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking nitrates before having any medical tests, as these drugs can affect the level of methemoglobin in the blood, as well as the levels of catecholamines and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) in the urine.
- Perform regular blood pressure checks as recommended by your doctor while using nitrates.
- Avoid driving a motor vehicle or doing activities that require alertness if this medicine causes dizziness. Nitrates can cause different effects in each user.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, especially drugs for sexual dysfunction, such as sildelnafil or tadalafil and herbal products or supplements.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after using nitrates.
Side Effects and Dangers of Nitrates
There are a number of side effects that can be caused by nitrates, including:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Nervous
- Heart beat
- Face and neck look red
- Low blood pressure
- dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Burning or tingling sensation on the tongue, especially when using nitrates in the form of an under-tongue spray
Check with your doctor if your symptoms don't improve or get worse. You should also see a doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug, such as swelling of your eyelids or lips, difficulty breathing, and an itchy rash.
Types and Trademarks of Nitrates
Nitrates are divided into several types. The following is an explanation of each type:
Nitroglycerin or glyceryl trinitate (GTN)
Drug form: oral tablet, sublingual tablet, and injection
Trademarks: DBL Glyceryl Trinitrate Concentrate Injection, Glyceryl Trinitrate, NTG, Nitral, Nitrocine and Nitrocaf Retard
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the nitroglycerin drug page.
Isosorbide mononitrate
Drug form: tablet
Trademarks: Cardismo, Imdur, Imocard SR and Mecto-20
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the isosorbide mononitrate drug page.
isosorbide dinitrate
Drug form: oral tablet, sublingual tablet, and injection
Drug brands: Cedocard, Cedocard 5, Cedocard 10, Cedocard Retard, Farsorbid 5, Farsorbid 10, Farsorbid injection, Gasorbid, Isorbid, Isosorbide Dinitrate, Isonate, Monecto 20, Nosorbid, and Vascardin
To find out the dosage and further information about this drug, please visit the isosorbide dinitrate drug page.