Glyceryl Trinitrate Tablets

Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) tablets are taken for symptoms of angina, a condition that causes episodes of chest pain. The tablets dissolve under your tongue, bringing you quick relief.

Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets can help with angina in two ways. First of all, they reduce the symptoms of attacks that are already happening. They work rapidly to put a stop to any pain or discomfort.

They also prevent angina attacks. So if you know you’re about to do something that often triggers an attack for you, taking a Glyceryl Trinitrate tablet beforehand can help. Common triggers are things like exercise, cold environments and large meals.

How do Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets work?

The active ingredient in the tablets is glyceryl trinitrate, a type of drug called a nitrate. Nitrates work by widening your blood vessels, allowing the muscles and vessels around your heart to relax. This allows oxygen to travel more easily to the heart and increases blood flow. ^[1]

Angina is usually caused by the arteries around the heart narrowing due to a buildup of plaque, which makes it harder for blood to travel to and from the heart. This is what causes angina attacks. So by widening the blood vessels, GTN tablets can both treat and prevent attacks.

What doses of Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets are there?

GTN tablets come in 500mcg and 600mcg doses. Your clinician can help you figure out which dose is right for you. If your attacks start to happen more often, or they become more painful, you should talk to your clinician.

If you have taken three glyceryl trinitrate tablets within fifteen minutes and you’re still suffering chest pain or other symptoms, get emergency medical attention. You may be experiencing a heart attack.

Only take the tablets as advised by a clinician. If you have any questions, read the leaflet and ask your clinician if you have any more questions.

It’s best to take GTN tablets while sitting down, in case they make you lightheaded. Place one under your tongue when you feel pain or discomfort, or before you encounter a trigger. Rest until the tablet dissolves and your symptoms improve.

Don’t eat or drink anything until the tablet has fully dissolved and your symptoms have disappeared. Otherwise, it might affect the medicine being absorbed.

Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets should start working within a minute. If you still feel symptoms, wait for five minutes and then take another tablet. If this still doesn’t ease your pain or discomfort, wait another five minutes and then take a final tablet.

Don’t take more than three tablets in fifteen minutes. You need to call an ambulance if you are still having chest pains after fifteen minutes, as this could be a heart attack.

GTN tablets are a short term treatment for managing attacks, so they won’t improve your symptoms long-term. You’ll usually also take a long term treatment to help prevent attacks and ease your day-to-day symptoms.

It’s best not to drink while using GTN tablets. Both alcohol and glyceryl trinitrate can make you dizzy and lightheaded, so using them together tends to amplify these effects. Drinking too much alcohol can also make your angina worse. It’s also good to avoid driving or using heavy machinery around the time you take the tablets, in case you’re drowsy.

GTN tablets also have a pretty short shelf-life, so you’ll need to get fresh tablets regularly. If your tablets have expired, don’t take them. Return them to your pharmacy and collect more. If you take too many glyceryl trinitrate tablets, get medical attention right away.