GTN sublingual tablets (glyceryl trinitrate)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache.

Dizziness.

Weakness.

Nausea.

Flushing.

Burning or stinging sensation in the mouth.

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when moving from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension).

Increased heart rate (tachycardia).

Decreased heart rate (bradycardia).

Allergic skin reactions.

Fainting.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

The medicines for erectile dysfunction (impotence) listed below must not be used by people taking glyceryl trinitrate, because the combination can produce a severe drop in blood pressure resulting in dizziness, fainting, or even a heart attack:

sildenafil (Viagra)

tadalafil (Cialis)

vardenafil (Levitra).

If this medicine is taken in combination with other medicines that reduce blood pressure, either as a treatment for high blood pressure (antihypertensives), or as a side effect, there may be an enhanced blood pressure lowering effect. This might make some people feel dizzy. If you do feel dizzy, you should lie down until the symptoms pass. Other medicines that can reduce blood pressure include the following:

ACE inhibitors, eg enalapril, captopril

alpha blockers, eg alfuzosin, doxazosin

alprostadil

anaesthetics

angiotensin II receptor antagonists, eg losartan

certain antipsychotic medicines, eg chlorpromazine

baclofen

benzodiazepines, eg temazepam

beta-blockers, eg propranolol

calcium channel blockers, eg diltiazem, verapamil, nifedipine

clonidine

diuretics, eg furosemide

hydralazine

levodopa

MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine

methyldopa

minoxidil

moxisylyte

moxonidine

other nitrates, eg isosorbide mononitrate, amyl nitrate (poppers)

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

If you are taking medicines that can cause a dry mouth, glyceryl trinitrate sublingual tablets may be less effective because they are not able to dissolve properly under your tongue. Medicines that can cause a dry mouth include the following:

anticholinergic medicines for Parkinson's disease, eg procyclidine, trihexyphenidyl, orphenadrine

anticholinergic medicines for urinary incontinence, eg oxybutynin, flavoxate, tolterodine, propiverine, trospium

antihistamines, eg brompheniramine, chlorphenamine

antispasmodic medicines, eg hyoscine

MAOI or tricyclic antidepressants, eg phenelzine, amitriptyline

antipsychotic medicines, eg chlorpromazine, clozapine.

If you experience this problem, you can help the GTN tablet dissolve by drinking a mouthful of water before putting the tablet under your tongue.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Coro-Nitro pump spray	Deponit patches	Glytrin spray
Minitran patches	Nitrocine injection	Nitro-Dur patches
Nitrolingual pump spray	Nitromin spray	Percutol ointment
Suscard tablets	Transiderm-nitro patches

Glyceryl trinitrate sublingual tablets, sprays and injection are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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