Paramedic Drug Facts: Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin

Trade Name: Nitrostat

Class: Vasodilator

Pharmacology:

Onset: 1-3 min
Duration: 30-60 min

Dilates arterioles and veins in the periphery, reduction of on preload, decrease in workload of the heart

Indications:
  • Ischemic Chest Pain
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • AMI
  • Hypertensive emergencies with ACS
Contraindications:
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Hypotension
  • Head injury
  • Extreme bradycardia
  • Extreme tachycardia
  • Right ventricle infarction
  • Cerebral hemorrhage
  • Recent use of viagra type medications
  • Aortic stenosis
Precautions:

Other vasodilators may have additive hypotensive effects
Do not mix with other drugs

Dosages:
  • Tablet: 0.3-0.4 mg sl may repeat for a total of 3 doses at 5 min intervals
  • Metered Spray: 1-2 sprays (0.4 mg/dose) for 0.5-1 sec at 5 min intervals
  • Infusion: Begin at rate of 10 mcg/min increase by 10 mcg/min every 3-5 min cieling dose of 200 mcg/min
Side Effects:
  • Headache
  • Reflex tachycardia
  • Hypotension
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Postural syncope
  • Diaphoresis
  • Flushing