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This medication is used to relieve episodes of chest pain (angina). This medication is called a nitrate. It works by relaxing blood vessels and allowing more blood flow to the heart. Increasing blood flow to the heart can relieve chest pain due to angina.
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| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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NitroTab SL
Uses
This medication is used to relieve episodes of chest pain (angina). This medication is called a nitrate. It works by relaxing blood vessels and allowing more blood flow to the heart. Increasing blood flow to the heart can relieve chest pain due to angina.
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
- Consult your doctor for more details.Lifestyle changes such as stress-reduction programs, exercise, stopping smoking, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.Avoid situations that may lead to chest pain (e.g., vigorous exercise, cold air, heavy meals).
- Discuss with your doctor.
Storage
- Store at room temperature at 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light, heat, and moisture.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep it in the original glass bottle with the cap tightly closed.
- Otherwise, this drug may not work as well.
- Ask your pharmacist about how long this medication will stay effective after the bottle is open.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include: persistent throbbing headache, fainting, confusion, fever, slow/irregular heartbeat, vision changes, severe nausea/vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath, cold/clammy skin, seizures.
How To Use
- If you are using this medication to relieve chest pain, use it as soon as chest pain starts.
- If you are using this medication to prevent chest pain that you may have during an activity (e.g., exercise), use it 5-10 minutes beforehand.Carry this medication with you at all times.
- At the first sign of chest pain (angina), sit down.
- Place one tablet under the tongue or between your cheek and gum, allowing it to dissolve.
- The drug is absorbed directly through the lining of the mouth.
- Do not chew or swallow the tablet.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke while the tablet is in your mouth.
- If the chest pain is the same or has worsened after 5 minutes, call 911 (emergency).
- However, if the pain is less severe but not gone, place another tablet under your tongue.
- If the pain is not completely gone after waiting another 5 minutes, place another tablet under your tongue.
- If the pain is not completely gone after 5 more minutes, call 911 (emergency).When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well.
- Different dosing may be required.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on how to use this product to decrease the risk that the medication will become less effective over time.
- Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.
- Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., the number of angina attacks increases or you have to take more nitroglycerin pills to relieve angina attacks).
Side Effects
- Headache, lightheadedness, flushing, dizziness, and burning/tingling under the tongue may occur.
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Headache generally means that the medication is working.
- Treat headaches with an over-the-counter pain reliever (e.g., acetaminophen) as directed by your doctor.
- If the headaches continue or become severe, notify your doctor.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: severe dizziness, fainting, fast/pounding heartbeat with headaches, paleness, sweating, blurred vision, dry mouth.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: worsening chest pain, dark urine, bluish lips/skin/nails, unusual tiredness, severe weakness, irregular heartbeat, seizures.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to any other nitrates; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have a certain medical condition.
- Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe anemia.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: low blood pressure, a severe loss of body water (dehydration), certain heart problems (e.g., recent heart attack, chronic heart failure, cardiomyopathy), increased pressure in the brain (e.g., due to head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage), exposure to nitrates while on the job.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause temporary blurred vision; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness and clear vision such as driving or using machinery.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially dizziness, increased risk of falling, and worsening chest pain.This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed Dose
Drug Interactions
- Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
- Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious (possibly fatal) interactions may occur: drugs used to treat sexual problems (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil).If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting nitroglycerin.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alcohol, alteplase, migraine drugs (e.g., ergotamine), water pills/diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), other drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors).Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure, cause a fast heartbeat, or increase chest pain (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen).
- Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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