How does gtn work

Your doctor will try and find the most effective combination for you. These may include:. Most people with angina need GTN to relieve pain as it happens. After being diagnosed with angina it is important that you learn how to deal with an 'attack'.

The following table shows what to do when you feel your angina coming on. Stable angina is normally relieved by stopping what you are doing and taking your GTN. You will not normally move beyond step 1 in the above table. Follow steps 2, 3 and 4 and do not hesitate in calling if you think you need to.

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Medication Information Leaflet What is this medication for? Glyceryl trinitrate GTN belongs to a class of medications called Nitrates. Nitrates are used to prevent and treat the symptoms of angina chest pain. Angina is caused by lack of blood supply and oxygen to your heart. Nitrates work by relaxing blood vessels so that more blood and oxygen is supplied to the heart.

To relieve an ongoing attack by using the medication at the start of the attack. To prevent attacks from occurring by using the medication just before an attack is expected to occur.

To reduce the number of attacks that occur by using the medication regularly on a long-term basis. Glyceryl trinitrate is available in different forms, namely sublingual under the tongue tablets, mouth sprays and skin patches.

GTN sublingual tablets or mouth spray can be used to relieve angina attacks or to prevent an expected angina attack, e. The tablet or spray should be used at the first sign of an attack of angina. Do not wait until severe pain occurs. This medication usually provides relief within five minutes. If you are using GTN to prevent an expected angina attack, you may dissolve a tablet under your tongue if using tablets or administer a spray under the tongue if using spray, five to ten minutes before you participate in an activity that could cause angina, such as exercise.

Directions on how to take GTN sublingual tablets: Place a tablet under your tongue when you experience chest pain. Do not swallow the tablet. If the pain is not relieved after five minutes, use a second tablet. If you still have pain after two to three tablets, call for an ambulance immediately. While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, continue placing a tablet under your tongue every five minutes if your pain continues.

Directions on how to use GTN mouth spray: Before using GTN mouth spray for the first time, check that the spray is working by pressing the spray button a few times until it produces a fine liquid mist. If you do not need to use GTN mouth spray very often, remember to check the spray regularly to see that it still works properly.

Remove the plastic cover, and do NOT shake the plastic bottle. Hold the bottle upright and close to your mouth, and point the nozzle at the area under your tongue. These are longer-acting nitrates, as the medicine in these preparations works for a longer period of time.

They are often referred to as transdermal nitrates. They are prescribed to prevent the pain from developing. Pain associated with angina develops if part of your heart muscle does not get as much blood and oxygen as it needs. It is usually caused by narrowing of your coronary arteries due to a build-up of a fatty substance called atheroma. The narrowing makes it more difficult for blood to flow to your heart muscle.

GTN works in two ways. It relaxes blood vessels in your body causing them to widen and this reduces the strain on your heart, making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It also relaxes and widens blood vessels in your heart coronary arteries , which increases the flow of blood to your heart muscle.

There is also a rectal ointment of GTN available but this is used for a completely different condition. If this has been prescribed for you, please see the separate medicine leaflet called Glyceryl trinitrate rectal ointment for more information.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start GTN it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:.

Spray : spray one or two sprays under your tongue when a pain develops. Close your mouth immediately after using the spray.

Your pain should ease within a minute or so. If the first dose does not work, use the spray again after five minutes. If the pain continues for 15 minutes despite using the spray twice then call an ambulance straightaway.

Sublingual tablets : place one tablet under your tongue when a pain develops and allow it to dissolve. If the first tablet does not work, take another tablet after five minutes. If the pain continues for 15 minutes despite taking three tablets then call an ambulance straightaway.

Patches : apply one patch every 24 hours. It is usual to apply the patches to your chest or upper arm but this may vary depending upon which brand of patches you have been given. If you are in any doubt, check the manufacturer's information leaflet from inside the pack. Use a different area of skin each time you apply a patch. When you use GTN all the time, your body can become used to it called tolerance , and then it can have less of an effect.