Nitroglycerin – Short acting spray
Information for patients
UHN
Read this medicine fact sheet to learn about:
• What this medicine is
• Why you need to take it
• What side effects to watch for
What is the name of my medicine?
Nitroglycerin (pronounced Nye – troe – gli – ser – in)
Other names for this medicine:
Brand Name
Nitrolingual Pumpspray®, generics
Why do I need to take this medicine?
• To treat angina (chest pain) during an angina attack. This medicine helps
relax your blood vessels, letting blood flow more easily. This increases the
supply of blood and oxygen to your heart and reduces how hard your heart
has to work.
• To prevent an angina attack. You can take it before activities that caused
attacks in the past.
Please visit the UHN Patient Education website for more health information: www.uhnpatienteducation.ca
© 2015 University Health Network. All rights reserved.
This information is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific
medical condition. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for non-commercial personal use only.
Author: Alice Hogg; revised by Caitlin Meyer
Revised 02/2015
Form: D-5289
What do I need to know when taking this medicine?
• Carry this medicine with you at all times. Check the expiry date on the
bottle, and refill your prescription before the medicine expires.
• Store this medicine at room temperature.
• If you need any medical or dental care, tell the doctor or dentist that you are
taking this medicine.
• Don't take sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®) or vardenafil (Levitra®).
Taking these medicines and nitroglycerin together can cause your blood
pressure to drop dangerously low.
• Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other
medicine. This includes:
▪▪ medicines prescribed by a doctor or bought in a pharmacy
▪▪ vitamins or herbal remedies
Using the pumpspray
• You need to prime the pumpspray if you have not used it in more than
14 days or it is your first time using it. To do this:
1. Hold the pumpspray upright and remove the plastic cover.
2. Point the nozzle way from you and press the button with your index
finger to release 1 spray.
3. Repeat to release 2 more sprays
Don't shake the pumpspray.
Treating an angina attack
1. When you first feel tightness or pain in your chest from an attack, sit down
or lean against a wall for support.
2. Hold the pumpspray upright and press on the button once to spray a dose
onto or under your tongue. Don't breath in or swallow the spray.
3. Let the inside of your mouth absorb the spray.
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This medicine usually relieves chest pain in 1 to 5 minutes.
• If the pain is not gone after 5 minutes, spray a 2nd dose.
• If the pain is not gone 5 minutes after the 2nd dose, spray a 3rd dose.
If the pain is still not gone after the 3rd spray (15 minutes), get
emergency medical help right away.
Preventing an angina attack
Think about what activities have caused you to have an angina attack in the past.
To prevent an attack before doing one of these activites:
• Spray 1 dose under your tongue 15 to 20 minutes before the activity.
• Do the activity. If you do not get chest pain, the spray worked.
• If you do get chest pain, treat the attack.
What are the side effects of this medicine?
• You may get a headache for a short time after taking a dose of this
medicine. If you are taking it to prevent angina, you can take acetaminophen
(Tylenol®) 30 minutes before a dose to prevent or lessen any headache.
• This medicine can make you feel dizzy. To avoid feeling dizzy, stand up
slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Do not drive a car or use
heavy machines if this medicine makes you feel dizzy.
• a warm, red face or neck (also called flushing)
• tingling feeling in your mouth
• nausea
Some side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medicine.
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Call your doctor right away if you:
• have a very bad headache or a headache that does not get better
• notice your chest pain becomes worse or happens more often
• feel very light headed or faint
Who do I talk to if I have a problem or question?
This fact sheet does not cover all of the side effects that may happen. If you are
concerned about any side effects, please ask your doctor or pharmacist for more
information or advice.
If you are not sure what to do when taking this medicine, talk to your doctor
or pharmacist.
This fact sheet was created by the University Health Network Pharmacy
Department. It is for your information only. It shouldn't replace talking
with your pharmacist. Please talk to your pharmacist or other health care
professional if you have any questions about this medicine.
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