Nitrocine

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > N



How does it work?

Glyceryl trinitrate works by releasing a chemical known as nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes the veins and arteries to relax and widen so that the heart can work more easily. As a result the heart uses less energy, and therefore requires less oxygen. These effects are useful in the emergency treatment of severe heart failure that occurs after a heart attack, and in unstable angina which is unresponsive to other treatment. It is also used to control blood pressure and blood flow during heart surgery.

What is it used for?

- Angina not well controlled by medical treatment
- Control of blood pressure and blood flow during surgery
- Unresponsive heart failure following a recent heart attack

Warning!

- Monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG), electrolytes and platelet count is recommended.

Use with caution in

- Dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
- Hypothyroidism
- Malnutrition
- Severe kidney disease
- Severe liver disease

Not to be used in

- Allergy to nitrates
- Bleeding in the brain (cerebral haemorrhage)
- Head injury
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
- Low volume of circulating blood (hypovolaemia)
- Severe anaemia
- Very low blood pressure (severe hypotension)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should not be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding, unless considered essential by the doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects