What is a nitroglycerin patch uses and precautions?

Why did doctors prescribe the nitroglycerin patch?

A nitroglycerin patch is used by people who have coronary artery disease. To prevent episodes of angina nitroglycerin patch is used in the treatment. In this disease, the arteries that supply the blood to the heart will be narrowed. If the attack of angina has begun, it can not be used in the treatment because this medication can only be used to prevent attacks of angina not in the treatment.

Nitroglycerin patch comes under the class of medications known as vasodilators. By giving relaxation to the blood vessels, the nitroglycerin patch works so that the heart does not need to work as hard and therefore does not need as much oxygen. When your heart needs to work as hard to get oxygen, in that case, your healthcare professionals prescribed this medication to prevent angina, by relaxing the blood vessels.

How should nitroglycerin patch be used for?

Nitroglycerin is available in various forms like patches, ointment, spray, and so on. Usually, your healthcare professionals will prescribe you to apply this once a day this patch, worn for 12 to 14 hours, and after that remove the patches. Ensure to follow the directions exactly on your prescription label carefully. Don’t ever try to take less or more of this medication than prescribed by your doctor or pharmacists. Always take this medication at around the same time each and every day.

Never apply your patches to your legs below the knees, to skin folds, or to your arms below the elbows. Always apply your patches on your upper arms or body. Choose the clean, dry, or hairless skin area to apply the patches and each day apply the nitroglycerin patches at different areas.

Try not to go taking bath because water can remove the patch and make it wet. So, try not to do swimming or bathing while you are treated with this medication but after your patch falls down you can apply the new patch on the hairless area behind the other ear. The length and dosage of treatment depend on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Nitroglycerin patches will not help to cure coronary artery disease, it only prevents attacks of angina. Without talking to your doctor, do not stop using nitroglycerin patches even if you feel well. Your doctor will tell you when you have stopped using this medication. If you don’t understand any of the parts then ask your healthcare provider to explain all the things again.

How to apply the Nitroglycerin patch?

Before using this medication always wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water very gently.
Hold the Nitroglycerin patch in which the plastic backing is facing you.
Until you hear a snap, try to bend the sides of the patch away from you and then after towards you.
From one side open the plastic backing.
After that choose the spot where you want to use this patch and to apply the half stick of patch to your skin, use the other side of the patch as a handle.
Now against the sin press the sticky side of the patch and smooth it down.
Another side of the patch will be foldback. Hold onto the remaining piece of plastic backing and use it to pull the patch across the skin.
After applying the patch, wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water again.

What are other uses of the nitroglycerin patch?

Your health care professional can also prescribe this medication for other uses and you can ask them for more information or other uses of nitroglycerin patches.

What special dietary plans should I follow?

Always follow your dietary recommendations and exercise plan made by your healthcare professional. If your doctor didn’t give you any instructions, you can continue your normal diet by just avoiding fast food.

What are nitroglycerin patch side effects?

Nitroglycerin patch is a medication that can be used only for serious side effects. That’s why this medication can only be used by people who have some serious side effects. Without your healthcare professionals don’t try to use this medication and they will suggest this medication by judging the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Don’t try to use it for a longer time period than prescribed.

Contact your healthcare professionals immediately, if you are having any of these side effects or symptoms mentioned below while you are using the nitroglycerin ointment medication.

Some serious and uncommon nitroglycerin patch side effects:

You’ll feel a headache.
You’ll feel dizziness.
You’ll feel lightheaded.
You’ll feel nausea.
You’ll feel redness or irritation of the skin that was covered by the patch.
You’ll feel hives.
You’ll feel itching.
You’ll feel difficulty breathing or swallowing.
You’ll feel flushing.
You’ll feel the slow or fast heartbeat.
You’ll feel worsening chest pain.
You’ll feel rash.

Always remember that after using each patch of this medication a headache can occur. For treating headaches, your healthcare professionals prescribed some non-prescription pain reliever. This is not the complete list of all symptoms and side effects of this medication. In case, if you are facing any unusual problems and do not go away or are getting worse then immediately contact your health care professionals. This ointment may also cause some other side effects also.

If you are in the United States and you are facing these serious side effects or someone near you then you can contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or call at 1-888-463-6332 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What happens if I overdose?

After taking this medication, if you have experienced any other serious symptoms suddenly then contact your healthcare professionals immediately because this is a sign of overdose and it would be very dangerous for you.

Some common nitroglycerin patch symptoms of overdose:

You’ll feel a slow or pounding heartbeat.
You’ll feel bloody diarrhea.
You’ll feel fainting.
You’ll feel a headache.
You’ll feel flushing.
You’ll feel cold, clammy skin.
You’ll feel nausea.
You’ll feel vomiting.
You’ll feel the loss of ability to move the body.
You’ll feel coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time).
You’ll feel confused.
You’ll feel fever.
You’ll feel dizziness.
You’ll feel shortness of breath.
You’ll feel sweating.
You’ll feel seizures.

What special precautions could I take?

You should have followed this special precaution before using the nitroglycerin patch:

If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while you are using nitroglycerin patch medication then tell your doctor and pharmacist immediately.
If you are having surgery, including dental surgery while having the nitroglycerin patch medication then tell the doctor or dentist.
If you start taking the treatment with this medication you should know about the common problem you’ll face that when you try to get up too quickly from a lying position you’ll feel dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. So, if you want to avoid this problem then stand up from bed slowly, and for a few minutes, before standing up, rest your feet on the floor. You can contact your healthcare professionals if your condition doesn’t improve, or you can sit or lie down if you experience these symptoms.
If you are taking some vitamins, nutritional supplements, prescription, and non-prescription medication or drugs and any other drug or medicine, and herbal products, or planning to take them while using this medication then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
Because of nitroglycerin patch medication, alcohol can have serious side effects. So, before drinking alcohol ask your healthcare professionals about the safe use of alcoholic beverages.
If you are allergic to nitroglycerin patch medication or any other medications and other drugs, or any of the ingredients in this medicine then tell your doctor and pharmacist and ask them for all ingredients of nitroglycerin patch medication by which you are allergic.
If you have recently had a heart attack, low blood pressure, heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or you think your body is dehydrated then you should have to tell your doctor and pharmacist.
If you are taking or have recently taken riociguat, sildenafil such as Revatio, Viagra, phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-5) such as avanafil Stendra, tadalafil such as Adcirca, Cialis, and vardenafil such as Levitra, Staxyn then you should have to tell your doctor and pharmacist. When you are taking any of these medications, he/she will probably tell you not to use nitroglycerin patches.
During your treatment with a nitroglycerin patch, you may experience headaches every day. For treating headaches, your healthcare professionals prescribed some non-prescription pain reliever. And remember headaches may be a sign that the medication is working properly. So, don’t try to change the time period of using this medication in order to avoid headaches. In case if you did this maybe the medication can not work properly.
If you are using this medication, So be ensure to mention these medicine to your healthcare professionals: nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine (Plendil), isradipine, nifedipine.

What do I do if I forget a dose?

If you forgot to take this medication and if it is near the time of your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time. Don’t take the dose at irregular times. It makes your dose double.

What can I know about the storage and disposal of this medication?

Store this medication at room temperature and keep them away from light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came because there are as many containers like eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers that are not child-resistant and young children or pets can easily open them.

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

What other information should I know?

If you are taking any prescription and non-prescription medication or drugs, while you are using this medication, it is very important to tell your healthcare professionals about this. To make it easy and unforgettable, you can create a list of all prescription and non-prescription medications or drugs and any other drug or medicine you are taking. You can show that list to your healthcare professionals or pharmacists at the time of visit or meeting them. It would help you in case of emergencies. It would help you in case of emergencies.

At the time of meeting your healthcare professionals, don’t forget to carry the laboratory report. And the most important thing is to never miss your doctor and laboratory appointments because your healthcare professionals will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information. So, keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, and the laboratory. And before having any laboratory test, if you are already taking this product then tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel. Talk to your healthcare professionals if you feel your health condition is getting worse or your dose may need to be adjusted.

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