Drug interactions
Ethanol + Nitroglycerin
Severity: Moderate
Ethanol and Nitroglycerin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
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.
Summary
Alcohol is a vasodilator and can add to the hypotensive effect of nitroglycerin. Patients may experience dizziness, faintness or syncope, particularly when standing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethanol and Nitroglycerin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive vasodilation and hypotension through pharmacodynamic synergism.
What to do
Advise patients to avoid or limit alcohol around nitroglycerin doses and to sit or lie down if lightheaded. Monitor blood pressure when alcohol exposure is likely.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Nitroglycerin
- Avanafil + Nitroglycerin Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Riociguat Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Tadalafil Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Vardenafil Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Nitroglycerin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethanol with Nitroglycerin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethanol and Nitroglycerin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Alcohol is a vasodilator and can add to the hypotensive effect of nitroglycerin. Patients may experience dizziness, faintness or syncope, particularly when standing.
How serious is the interaction between Ethanol and Nitroglycerin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to avoid or limit alcohol around nitroglycerin doses and to sit or lie down if lightheaded. Monitor blood pressure when alcohol exposure is likely.
What other medicines interact with Nitroglycerin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Nitroglycerin with, for example, Avanafil, Riociguat, Sildenafil. The full list is on the Nitroglycerin page.
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