This article describes possible side effects of nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. A sublingual tablet is placed under your tongue and allowed to dissolve without swallowing. You can explore this overview article to learn more about nitroglycerin, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Nitrostat. Nitroglycerin also comes in an injectable form, a patch form, and a sublingual spray. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
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More common side effects of nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of nitroglycerin sublingual tablet include:
- dizziness
- headache*
- numbness, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensation
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of nitroglycerin in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of nitroglycerin sublingual tablet that occurred in studies include:
- dizziness
- fast heart rate
- flushing
- headache*
- nausea or vomiting
- numbness, tingling, or pins-and-needles sensation
- weakness
- mild allergic reaction*†
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of nitroglycerin in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from nitroglycerin sublingual tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with nitroglycerin.
Serious side effects of nitroglycerin sublingual tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of nitroglycerin in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.
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Common questions about side effects of nitroglycerin
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is nitroglycerin safe for older adults?
Yes, nitroglycerin is generally safe for older adults (age 65 years and older).
If you have concerns about taking nitroglycerin given your age, talk with your doctor.
Does nitroglycerin cause long-term side effects?
Long-term side effects aren’t expected with nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had used the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended also weren’t reported.
Talk with your doctor if you have more questions about possible long-term side effects of nitroglycerin.
Side effects of nitroglycerin in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of nitroglycerin sublingual tablet.
Very low blood pressure
Very low blood pressure was reported in studies of people taking nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With very low blood pressure, you may experience orthostatic hypotension. This is a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up or sit up. It can lead to fainting, which can cause serious falls and injuries.
Other symptoms may include:
- blurry vision
- fast, slow, or atypical heart rate
- increased angina (chest pain)
- nausea or vomiting
- paleness (loss of color)
- sweating
- vertigo (sensation of motion or spinning)
- weakness
Certain factors can increase the risk of very low blood pressure with nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. These include:
Ways to manage
If you feel dizzy or like you’re going to faint, sit or lie down until the feeling passes. Get up slowly to avoid problems again.
Tell your doctor if you experience dizziness or fainting. Get medical help right away if you fall or injure yourself.
Headache
In studies, headache was common in people taking nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. This side effect is usually mild, but may be severe.
Headaches can range from mild to severe. It’s possible for them to last a long time. They tend to be more common when you first start treatment with nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. They’re also dose-related. This means that headaches are more common with higher doses of nitroglycerin.
Ways to manage
Headaches with nitroglycerin sublingual tablet usually go away or get better with continued treatment. If your headaches become bothersome, tell your doctor. If you have a severe headache that isn’t going away, get immediate medical care.
For some people, nitroglycerin sublingual tablet may cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, typically affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to nitroglycerin sublingual tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for nitroglycerin
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking nitroglycerin sublingual tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take nitroglycerin sublingual tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether nitroglycerin sublingual tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking nitroglycerin sublingual tablet, tell your doctor about your health and any medications you take. Things to consider include:
Nitroglycerin and pregnancy
It’s not known whether nitroglycerin sublingual tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Nitroglycerin and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether nitroglycerin sublingual tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Nitroglycerin sublingual tablet is known to interact with alcohol. Drinking alcohol while taking nitroglycerin sublingual tablet can cause very low blood pressure.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with nitroglycerin sublingual tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of nitroglycerin sublingual tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of low blood pressure depend on the dosage I take?
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people?
- Is my risk of side effects higher due to any of the other medications I take?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
