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Nitroglycerin Transdermal

(nye troe gli' ser in)

Why is this medication prescribed?   Return to top

Nitroglycerin transdermal patches are used to prevent episodes of angina (chest pain) in people who have coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). Nitroglycerin transdermal patches can only be used to prevent attacks of angina; they cannot be used to treat an attack of angina once it has begun. Nitroglycerin is in a class of medications called vasodilators. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so that the heart does not need to work as hard and therefore does not need as much oxygen

How should this medicine be used?   Return to top

Transdermal nitroglycerin comes as a patch to apply to the skin. It is usually applied once a day, worn for 12 to 14 hours, and then removed. Apply nitroglycerin patches at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use nitroglycerin patches exactly as directed. Do not apply more or fewer patches or apply the patches more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Choose a spot on your upper body or upper arms to apply your patch. Do not apply the patch to your arms below the elbows, to your legs below the knees, or to skin folds. Apply the patch to clean, dry, hairless skin that is not irritated, scarred, burned, broken, or calloused. Choose a different area each day.

You may shower while you are wearing a nitroglycerin skin patch.

If a patch loosens or falls off, replace it with a fresh one.

To use nitroglycerin patches, follow the steps below. Different brands of nitroglycerin patches may be applied in slightly different ways, so be sure to follow the directions included with your patches:

• Wash your hands.
• Hold the patch so that the plastic backing is facing you.
• Bend the sides of the patch away from you and then toward you until you hear a snap.
• Peel off one side of the plastic backing.
• Use the other side of the patch as a handle, and apply the stick half to your skin in the spot you have chosen.
• Press the sticky side of the patch against the skin and smooth it down.
• Fold back the other side of the patch. Hold onto the remaining piece of plastic backing and use it to pull the patch across the skin.
• Wash your hands again
• When you are ready to remove the patch, press down on its center to lift the edges away from the skin.
• Hold the edge gently and slowly peel the patch away from the skin.
• Fold the patch in half with the sticky side pressed together and throw it away in a garbage can that is out of the reach of children and pets. The used patch may still contain active medication that can harm others.
• Wash the skin that was covered with the patch with soap and water. The skin may be red and may feel warm for a short time. You may apply lotion if the skin is dry, and you should call your doctor if the redness does not go away after a short time.

Nitroglycerin patches may no longer work as well after you have used them for some time. To prevent this, your doctor will probably tell you to wear each patch for only 12-14 hours each day so that there is a period of time when you are not exposed to nitroglycerin every day. If your angina attacks happen more often, last longer, or become more severe at any time during your treatment, call your doctor.

Nitroglycerin patches help prevent attacks of angina but do not cure coronary artery disease. Continue to use nitroglycerin patches even if you feel well. Do not stop using nitroglycerin patches without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine   Return to top

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?   Return to top

Before using nitroglycerin patches,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nitroglycerin patches, tablets, capsules, spray, or ointment; any other medications; adhesives; or any of the ingredients in nitroglycerin skin patches. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol labetalol (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, Migranal); medications for high blood pressure, heart failure, mental illness or nausea; and phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitors such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) . Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you think you may be dehydrated, if you have recently had a heart attack, and if you have or have ever had heart failure, low blood pressure, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscle).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using nitroglycerin patches, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using nitroglycerin patches.
• ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are using nitroglycerin skin patches. Alcohol can make the side effects from nitroglycerin patches worse.
• you should know that nitroglycerin patches may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position, or at any time, especially if you have been drinking alcoholic beverages. To avoid this problem, get up slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. Take extra precautions to avoid falling during your treatment with nitroglycerin patches.
• you should know that you may experience headaches every day during your treatment with nitroglycerin patches. These headaches may be a sign that the medication is working as it should. Do not try to change the times or the way that you apply nitroglycerin patches in order to avoid headaches because then the medication may not work as well. Your doctor may tell you to take a pain reliever to treat your headaches.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?   Return to top

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?   Return to top

Apply the missed patch as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time to apply your next patch, skip the missed patch and continue your regular dosing schedule. Remove your patch at your regularly scheduled time even if you applied it later than usual. Do not apply two patches to make up for a missed dose.

What side effects can this medication cause?   Return to top

Nitroglycerin patches may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• lightheadedness
• dizziness
• redness or irritation of the skin that was covered by the patch
• flushing

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• slow or fast heartbeat
• worsening chest pain
• fainting
• rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing

Nitroglycerin patches may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are using this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?   Return to top

Keep this medication out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Dispose of used patches by folding them in half with the sticky side together and placing in a garbage can that is out of the reach of children and pets. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose   Return to top

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

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

What other information should I know?   Return to top

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names   Return to top

Last Revised - 11/01/2009

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer

AHFS^® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2009. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

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