Drug reference
nitroglycerin
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Cardiovascular (Organic Nitrates)
Mechanism of action
Organic nitrate which causes systemic venodilation, decreasing preload, Cellular mechanism: nitrate enters vascular smooth muscle and converted to nitric oxide(NO) leading to activation of cGMP & vasodilation, Relaxes smooth muscle via dose-dependent dilation of arterial and venous beds to reduce both preload and afterload, and myocardial O2 demand
Common side effects
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia
Contraindications
- Recent use (within several days) of PDE-5 inhibitors (eg, avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) may cause dangerously low hypotension; the time course of the interaction appears to be related to the PDE-5 inhibitor half-life
- Early myocardial infarction, severe anemia, increased intracranial pressure, and known hypersensitivity to nitroglycerin
- Riociguat; coadministration may cause hypotension
- Narrow angle glaucoma (controversial: may not be clinically significant) Hypersensitivity Symptomatic hypotension, uncorrected hypovolemia, increased intracranial pressure (head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage), severe anemia, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, restrictive cardiomy…
- Increased intracranial pressure (eg, head trauma, cerebral hemorrhage) or inadequate cerebral circulation
Known interactions (12)
- avanafil + nitroglycerin Contraindicated
- nitroglycerin + sildenafil Contraindicated
- nitroglycerin + tadalafil Contraindicated
- Amlodipine/Atenolol + nitroglycerin Moderate
- Atorvastatin/Amlodipine + nitroglycerin Moderate
- Bisoprolol/Hydrochlorothiazide + nitroglycerin Moderate
- bromocriptine + nitroglycerin Moderate
- Bumetanide + nitroglycerin Moderate
- cabergoline + nitroglycerin Moderate
- Candesartan + nitroglycerin Moderate
- ergotamine + nitroglycerin Moderate
- Losartan + nitroglycerin Moderate
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is nitroglycerin?
nitroglycerin belongs to: Cardiovascular.
How does nitroglycerin work?
Organic nitrate which causes systemic venodilation, decreasing preload, Cellular mechanism: nitrate enters vascular smooth muscle and converted to nitric oxide(NO) leading to activation of cGMP & vasodilation, Relaxes smooth muscle via dose-dependent dilation of arterial and venous beds to reduce both preload and afterload, and myocardial O2 demand
What are the common side effects of nitroglycerin?
Lightheadedness, Dizziness, Headache, Blurred vision, Hypotension, Tachycardia
Which drugs interact with nitroglycerin?
avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, Amlodipine/Atenolol, Atorvastatin/Amlodipine, Bisoprolol/Hydrochlorothiazide, bromocriptine, Bumetanide, cabergoline, Candesartan, ergotamine, Losartan
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