Probably there is no adult who could not imagine what anal fissures and hemorrhoids are. Those who are faced with these problems remember for a long time exhausting painful sensations when trying to defecate, and simply while walking.
One of the main components of the conservative treatment of the mentioned diseases of the anus (anus) is nitroglycerin ointment (glycerol trinitrate). We will talk about the rules for its use and the effectiveness of treatment with this drug today.
When is nitroglycerin ointment used?
More than 40 years ago, doctors drew attention to the fact that the spasm of the anal sphincter, which is accompanied by the appearance of hemorrhoidal nodes and cracks in the patient, greatly interferes with their healing. This is because this involuntary contraction of the tonic muscles greatly complicates the local blood flow (causes ischemia) and significantly complicates the already painful defecation process, resulting in new ruptures and injuries of the anus.
A similar problem prompted doctors to use ointment with nitroglycerin for the treatment of cracks. This substance is able to relax the sphincter muscles and, as verified, positively affect the acceleration of the healing process.
How does nitroglycerin ointment work: its composition
The composition of this drug includes the active substance nitroglycerin and lanolin – petrolatum base.
The described drug, when applied topically, is absorbed, dilates blood vessels and relaxes the sphincter. Due to this, blood circulation, which helps healing, improves, and the spasm disappears. And thanks to the latter effect, trauma to the anus is reduced and, accordingly, a painful crack heals faster. By the way, some patients may experience slight itching and burning during the use of the ointment.
Features of the use of ointment
Nitroglycerin ointment is used on the affected areas from two to four times a day. As a rule, the course of treatment is 1 month. During treatment, strictly adhere to the dosage indicated by your doctor!
The instruction suggests applying a little ointment to a cotton swab on the shaft and injecting it at a shallow depth into the anus (if you just lubricate the surface around the sphincter, the active substance will not give a sufficient therapeutic effect, but it can cause side effects). However, with severe pain with the introduction of the swab, lubrication of the surface around the anus is allowed.
Nitroglycerin is especially rapidly absorbed with good blood flow. Therefore, doctors advise you not to use the ointment for half an hour after taking a bath, in order to avoid getting into the blood an excessive amount of the active substance
Side effects of the ointment
When treating with this drug, it is important not to overdo it with its use! In large quantities, the ointment can provoke dizziness and headache caused by a decrease in blood pressure due to the expansion of blood vessels (by the way, therefore, doctors recommend applying the drug in a prone position). To avoid unwanted side effects, you also need to remember to wash your hands from ointment residues after the procedure. Interestingly, all of these effects have the ability to self-restrict: with the constant use of drugs with nitroglycerin, they become less pronounced. But still, when they appear, the use of ointment should be stopped and consult a doctor.
Contraindications
The described rectal ointment is prescribed by a proctologist. The patient should not decide for himself whether it should be used.
It should also be remembered that in some cases, nitroglycerin ointment may be contraindicated. The instruction on this says the following:
- Before starting treatment, the patient must always consult with the doctor observing him;
- the drug is not prescribed if the patient suffers from cardiovascular diseases or severe hypotension (low blood pressure);
- older people should use the mentioned remedy with extreme caution;
- treatment with this drug is contraindicated for patients taking products containing organic nitrates or having hypersensitivity to the active substance;
- during pregnancy and during lactation, before using the ointment, a doctor's consultation is required;
- in the presence of dizziness caused by the use of ointment, it is necessary to refuse to drive a car until the side effect disappears.
In what other cases is nitroglycerin used in the ointment?
In proctology, nitroglycerin ointment 0.2% is used. But there is also an ointment with a two percent content of the active substance.
This drug is used in cardiology as a prophylactic for angina attacks, as well as in cases of chronic heart failure. Nitroglycerin ointment is also effective as one of the components of the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
In these cases, the amount of ointment prescribed by the doctor is applied to the dosing paper scale and attached to a skin area without hair. The effect, as a rule, occurs in half an hour and lasts up to 5 hours.
Nitroglycerin ointment: price
It should be borne in mind that there is no factory production of nitroglycerin ointment 0.2% in Russia. The described drug is made in pharmacies to order according to individual recipes. Therefore, when prescribing it by your doctor, specify where to buy nitroglycerin ointment. Some clinics manufacture and offer it to their patients.
This product is usually placed in a 20 g dark glass bottle. Store it at room temperature, avoiding direct sunlight and moisture.
Ointment in the Russian Federation is within 350 rubles.