Introduction : In a healthy individual coronary arteries keep on contracting and relaxing under various physiological and pathological influences. Atherosclerosis makes these coronary arteries brittle and narrow. These narrowed arteries cannot relax well and blood supply to the heart reduces.
Effects : Nitrate medicines relax and dilate the coronary arteries leading to better blood supply to the heart.
When to use ?
- Stable angina
- Unstable angina
- Heart attack
- Weak pumping of Heart : Heart Failure
- During or before the anticipated episode of angina
Dose :
Tab Isosorbide Dinitrate : 10-30 mg : Every 4 hours
Tab Isosorbide Mononitrate : 20-60 mg : Twice a day, at an interval of 8 hours
Tab Nitroglycerine : 0.5 mg : keep under the tongue and chew
Tab Isosorbide Dinitrate : 5 mg : keep under the tongue and chew
Nitroglycerine Spray : Spray two times in the mouth
Nitroglycerine Patch : Paste on the skin for 12-18 hours
Injection Nitroglycerin : For continuous intravenous infusion when a patient is admitted in ICU under medical supervision
Side effects :
- Headache.
- Drop in blood pressure.
- Tolerance : Effect reduces after long term use.