O General Information and Indications:
Nitroglycerin skin patches are used to
prevent chest pain (angina). They work by relaxing the blood vessels to the
heart, so the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart is increased.
O Information For Users:
Nitroglycerin comes as a patch you apply to the
skin. It is usually applied once a day. Your doctor may tell you to remove
the patch at a certain time each day. Follow the directions on your
prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions.
Use the nitroglycerin skin patch exactly as directed. Do not apply it more
or less often than prescribed by your doctor.
Nitroglycerin skin patches control chest pain but do not cure it. Continue
to use the nitroglycerin skin patch even if you feel well. Do not stop using
the nitroglycerin skin patch without informing your doctor. Stopping the
drug abruptly may cause chest pain.
Apply the patch to clean, dry skin that is relatively free of hair (above
your knee) or upper arm (above your elbow). Avoid irritated, scarred,
broken, and calloused skin. Select a different area each day to avoid skin
irritation. Be sure to remove the patch before you apply another one.
If the patch loosens or falls off, replace it with a fresh one. Fold the
used patch in half with the sticky sides together and dispose of it
carefully. The patch still contains active medication that could be harmful
to children or pets.
Nitroglycerin can lose its effectiveness when used for a long time. This
effect is called tolerance. If your angina attacks happen more often, last
longer, or are more severe, call your doctor.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to nitroglycerin skin patches, tablets, capsules, or ointment;
isosorbide (Imdur, Isordil, Sorbitrate); or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially aspirin; beta blockers such as
atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne,Trandate),
metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace),
and timolol (Blocadren); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc),
diltiazem (Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc),
nifedipine (Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin); dihydroergotamine (D.H.E.
45); sildenafil (Viagra); and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding low red blood cell counts
(anemia), glaucoma, or recent head trauma.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using a nitroglycerin skin
patch, call your doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or
dentist that you are using a nitroglycerin skin patch.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive
a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are
using a nitroglycerin skin patch. Alcohol can make the side effects from the
nitroglycerin skin patch worse.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Side effects from nitroglycerin skin patches
are common. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe
or do not go away:
o headache
o skin irritation or rash
o dizziness
o upset stomach
o flushing
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o dry mouth
o chest pain
o fainting
O Brand Name(s):
o Deponit®
o Minitran®
o Nitrek®
o Nitro-Bid®
o NitroQuick®
o Nitrostat®
o Nitrotab®
o Nitro-Time®
o Nitro-Dur®
o Nitrogard®
o Nitroglycerin Slocaps®
o Nitrolingual® Pumpspray |
