Currently, shelves in pharmacies are simply bursting with the amount of medicine that is stored on them. You can buy many drugs only if you have a prescription written by a doctor on hand, but most of the products in the range you sell will be sold without one. "Nitroglycerin" also belongs to freely sold medicines. From what it helps, you can learn from this article. Despite fame, it is necessary to treat its reception with extreme caution.
Drug information
Nitroglycerin (a group of nitrates) quickly found application. They began to use it at the end of the 19th century, after the discovery by the Italian Ascanio Sobrero. At first it was the production of explosives.
After lengthy observations of workers in explosive workshops, Meryl concluded that nitroglycerin vapors have an effect on human health.
A little later it was found that this substance can also be used for medical purposes for the treatment of certain diseases. For example, after taking, it is possible to relieve spasm of the heart vessels. With angina attacks , a few drops of the drug were enough to stop it.
So gradually nitroglycerin began to be used in medical practice.
Today, if you ask any person about Nitroglycerin: “Why should it be used?”, Then almost everyone will say that it is indispensable for heart attacks. They have not yet come up with another medicine that would so quickly relieve pain in angina pectoris.
Forms of drug release
"Nitroglycerin" can be attributed to those grand discoveries in the world of pharmacology that happen infrequently. During its use, and this is already more than 100 years old, they have not invented a more effective medicine for angina pectoris.
Manufacturers produce its various forms and packaging, but the active substance in them remains the same. Now in pharmacies you can find a fairly large assortment. "Nitroglycerin" is produced in the form of tablets that must be put under the tongue. This is the very first form of release of the drug.
Now the nitroglycerin patch has become fashionable, which is enough to stick on the skin or mucous membrane so that the active substance begins its healing work. Even more advanced is Nitroglycerin Aerosol. Despite the fact that all of these preparations contain the same substance, their cost can vary within wide limits.
"Nitroglycerin" - mechanism of action
Many probably wonder about what is the secret of such an instant action of this medicine for heart attacks. The whole answer lies in the principle of the drug. Pain with angina occurs as a result of acute oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle. There are only a few ways to remove it:
- Increase the flow of oxygen to the heart.
- Reduce heart rate and strength to reduce oxygen consumption.
All of this is quite capable of Nitroglycerin. After taking it, the production of nitric oxide is enhanced, which dilates blood vessels, especially veins. This leads to the fact that the flow of venous blood to the heart muscle decreases, and the frequency of contractions and their strength are reduced. Once less work, then less oxygen is required.
But the medicine "Nitroglycerin" also increases the flow of oxygen to the heart due to the expansion of the coronary vessels, and this happens more precisely at the site of ischemia, which leads to a quick relief of an attack of angina pectoris.
The effect of taking the medicine can be observed in a few minutes. The drug is also expelled from the blood just as quickly. After 40-45 minutes it will be gone.
Indications for use
There are a number of diseases in which Nitroglycerin is recommended. Use may be required for single or prolonged use. Among the indications are the following:
- Any manifestations of angina pectoris.
- Coronary spasm, which may complicate intravascular studies.
- Myocardial infarction, especially against the background of hypertension.
- Heart failure.
- Before neurosurgery, they can use Nitroglycerin. Using it artificially reduces the pressure.
- Arterial spasm in the retina of the eyeball.
- Dyskinesia of some sections of the digestive system.
The doctor can recommend any form. You can choose the one that is more convenient for you.
When else can I take Nitroglycerin?
It turns out that this medicine can be used not only in moments of heartache, but also in some other cases. For example, to prevent an attack, if you have physical work or emotional stress is expected.
Often it is taken by patients with a diagnosis of angina pectoris when they climb the stairs to the top floor of a multi-storey building. It is recommended to take it before climbing uphill, especially in winter, frosty and windy weather.
You should not be surprised if the doctor prescribes "Nitroglycerin" for bouts of pancreatitis or biliary colic. The prescription is in Latin, but pharmacists at the pharmacy are well versed in such records. This purpose can be explained by the fact that this drug perfectly relieves spasm of the smooth muscles of the digestive tract.
Proper medication
Despite the great popularity of this drug, you must remember: this is still a medicine, so you need to take it according to certain rules. Only in this case can security be guaranteed.
The most effective and fastest way to help is a tablet called "Nitroglycerin" placed under the tongue. Since there are a lot of blood vessels in the oral cavity , the medicine is almost instantly absorbed into the blood, and relief comes.
If you decide to take the Nitroglycerin tablet, then before that it is better to sit down. Some may feel dizzy, and in exceptional cases, they may faint.
In old age, the reception is best done in the supine position. At the time of the attack, the tablet should act in a couple of minutes. If the pain does not let go, then you can take another one. If after 15 minutes the pain persists, you will have to call a doctor, otherwise it’s not far from myocardial infarction.
If in your medicine cabinet "Nitroglycerin" is in the form of drops, then during a heartache you can drop 2-4 drops on a piece of sugar and keep it under your tongue until it dissolves. Some manage to drip directly onto the tongue or even lick off the cork of the bubble.
Do not self-medicate, even if you are familiar with Nitroglycerin. From what it is recommended to be used - you know, but the wrong dosage is fraught with serious consequences.
Varieties of Nitroglycerin
Everyone knows that this drug works quickly, but not for long. Currently, forms have been created that are able to exert their therapeutic effect within a few hours. Such drugs include prolonged nitroglycerin, such as Sustak, Nitrong, Trinitrolong.
They are recommended to be used in advance, they are able to prevent an attack within a few hours. The active substance - nitroglycerin - begins to gradually enter the bloodstream, thereby these drugs are many times longer than their original "brother" in terms of duration of action.
Along with such an advantage, they are still inferior in speed of action, and this is very important at the time of the attack. This is due to the fact that they are not placed under the tongue, but washed down with water, respectively, it takes a certain time for the medicine to dissolve and be absorbed into the blood.
Therefore, if an attack suddenly catches you, you can not do without the usual "Nitroglycerin" in the form of sublingual tablets.
Side effects
In any drug, side effects can always be found. They are indicated in the annotation to the medicine. This, of course, does not mean that this or that effect will manifest itself in you, but you need to know about them.
Side effects of Nitroglycerin can be explained by the fact that it dilates blood vessels. The following common adverse events can be mentioned:
- Redness of the face and sensation of heat.
- Headache, because the vessels of the brain expand sharply and pulsate, which sometimes provokes severe pain.
- Drop in blood pressure.
- Noise in ears.
- With a strong overdose, collapse can occur, up to fainting.
- Nausea and vomiting, maybe even a breakdown in stool.
- Dermatitis.
Prolonged forms of this drug can cause the same side effects. It is worth noting that with prolonged use, addiction to them begins to develop, so the side effect of Nitroglycerin and its forms significantly decreases or disappears altogether.
Frequency of taking the drug
Those patients who suffer from heart attacks often try to endure pain and do not take Nitroglycerin. But this will not help in this situation. If the attack is not stopped, then the pain may intensify, then it will be much more difficult to eliminate it.
In difficult situations, some patients can take more than 50 tablets per day. Doctors consider such a dose to be quite reasonable in certain situations.
Most scientists who are researching this drug believe that its constant use can lead to the opposite effect - an increase in the frequency of attacks and their strength.
Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to take "Nitroglycerin", the answer is only positive, but still you should not do this without the recommendation of a doctor and in large doses.
Contraindications for admission
Each drug always has its own list of contraindications, so do not rush to go to the pharmacy and buy the medicine without a doctor’s prescription.
"Nitroglycerin" in any form is strictly contraindicated in the following diseases:
- Low pressure.
- Anemia.
- Acute myocardial infarction.
- Circulatory problems.
- Pulmonary edema.
- Glaucoma.
- Alcohol intoxication.
- Stroke.
- Heart defects.
- Pregnancy.
- Thyroid problems.
- Renal and liver failure.
You should not take "Nitroglycerin" if you are treated with the drug "Sildenafil".
If you have heart attacks, and if your history of taking Nitroglycerin is contraindicated, it is advisable to discuss with your doctor what medications you can take in this case.
Poorly tolerated Nitroglycerin
After taking the medication, some people experience a sharp headache, dizziness and begin to believe that this drug simply does not suit them. But this is due to its vasodilating effect. With repeated use, this may not happen, or these symptoms will manifest themselves more mildly.
If at each appointment you feel bad, experience severe pain in the head, then it is worth discussing with the doctor the advisability of using this tool.
With frequent attacks of angina pectoris, this drug is the only one that can save you at a critical moment, so you should not refuse it immediately at the first manifestations of side effects. Try lowering your dosage and discussing the situation with your doctor.
Storage conditions
After the purchase of any medicine, it must not only be taken in accordance with the instructions or recommendations of the doctor, but also stored under certain conditions. Nitroglycerin cannot be left in the light. Under his action, he quickly begins to collapse, the same thing happens in a warm place.
To prevent this, this medicine should be stored in the refrigerator. If the doctor prescribed “Nitroglycerin” (a prescription in Latin), the instructions that came with it will suffice. There you can read about all storage requirements.
In the instructions, you can notice a paragraph that recommends storing "Nitroglycerin" in the packaging in which it was sold. This can be explained by the fact that the bubble and cotton wool are treated with a special composition that helps preserve the properties of the drug.
After you have uncorked the package, Nitroglycerin, and subject to all storage conditions, cannot maintain its healing qualities for a long time. In a couple of months, its effectiveness will drop by 30%. In this regard, capsules are more resistant.
If you use this medicine often enough, then tablets are quite suitable, and if rarely, it is better to purchase a spray that has a long shelf life.
If you do not want to take a whole bottle or a pack of tablets with you on the road, and you decide to wrap a few pieces in a napkin and put in your purse, then you can not even try, after such transportation the drug will not help you.
Advice and recommendations for admission
Despite the fact that most of us know what “Nitroglycerin" is, what it helps from, it will not hurt to remind once again the features of its use:
- Do not be afraid of a sharp headache after taking the drug, this suggests that the medicine has begun its work. After a few tricks, such sensations will cease to bother you.
- If you suffer from angina pectoris, then Nitroglycerin should always be at your fingertips.
- For heart attacks, it is advisable not to use capsules, they contain an oily solution that is absorbed longer.
- If you take the medicine for a long time, then the effect of it decreases sharply, so you need to take a break.
- In the presence of eye diseases, taking "Nitroglycerin" is with extreme caution.
- With reduced pressure, taking this medicine is better postponed, otherwise it may fall even more, and a person will lose consciousness.
No one doubts the miraculous effect of Nitroglycerin, since it was not in vain that in more than 100 years, scientists were unable to invent a more effective drug for angina pectoris. But despite all this, the reception should be carried out strictly on the recommendation of a doctor in compliance with all dosages, so as not to harm your health.