Glyceryl Trinitrate (also known as nitroglycerin) belongs to a class of medications called nitrate vasodilators. It helps relax the muscles on blood vessels and widen the veins and arteries. As a result, it reduces the workload of heart muscles and blood pressure.
Glyceryl Trinitrate is commonly used to prevent and treat angina, or control of blood pressure during and after heart surgeries.
In Hong Kong, there are different forms of Glyceryl Trinitrate, including sublingual tablets and sprays, patches applied to the skin, and injections. Glyceryl Trinitrate can be used to treat an angina attack, or it can be taken 5-10 minutes before activities that can cause angina. The correct use and storage of Glyceryl Trinitrate is essential for the effective prevention and treatment of angina.
Glyceryl Trinitrate sublingual tablets and spray are designed to provide rapid relief of angina symptoms. Follow these steps to use your medicine correctly:
If you are using a Glyceryl Trinitrate skin patch (Nitroderm TTS), the correct steps to use it are listed below:
The suggested adult doses for the prevention of angina are as follows:
Sublingual tablet: 1 tablet to be used prior to activity that might cause an angina attack.
Sublingual spray: 400-800 mcg to be used prior to activity that might cause an angina attack.
Patch: Apply 1 patch in the morning and remove before bedtime.
The most common side effects of Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets and sprays are headache, flushing, rash, low blood pressure.
If you are using a Glyceryl Trinitrate patch, common side effects include headache, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, rash and itchiness.
Common dosing schedule:
Take Glyceryl Trinitrate spray or tablet during an attack of angina.
Take Glyceryl Trinitrate skin patch every day to prevent angina.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Glyceryl Trinitrate may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets, sprays and patches are over-the-counter medicines which can be purchased without a prescription from any pharmacy in Hong Kong by speaking with a pharmacist. It can also be obtained from doctors. For injectable Glyceryl Trinitrate, it is a prescription only medicine and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Glyceryl Trinitrate in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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