GTN spray

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Reviewed on Jan 16, 2026. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Next review due on January 16, 2029.

Last updated on Jan 16, 2026.

Product info

Relaxes your blood vessels to improve blood flow in and out of the heart.
On or two sprays beneath your tongue as an attack starts can stop it.
Fast-acting relief for angina attacks that can be used alongside long-term treatment.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£49.95

Save £0.00 each order

GTN spray: essential info
GTN spray: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

How to take GTN spray

Always take medication as directed by your clinician.

To treat the onset of an attack, or to prevent an imminent attack you will usually be told to:

Sit down
Hold the device upright near to your mouth
Hold your breath
Point the spray under your tongue
Press down firmly on the button, only do this once
Close your mouth immediately
Do not inhale the spray

It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with how to use the spray when you are first prescribed it. This is because you’ll need to use it quickly and effectively during an angina attack. It may also be wise to show friends and family how to use your spray.

Before using the spray for the first time, you should check the button by spraying a small amount of the spray into a tissue.

Even if you don’t use your spray on a regular basis, it’s important to check it to ensure that you can rely on it during an attack.

How long does it take glyceryl trinitrate spray to work?

Your GTN spray should get to work straight away and offer relief from an angina attack in a matter of minutes. If your angina symptoms don’t ease after a dose of your spray then you may be advised to administer another spray.

When used as a preventative treatment before exercise it should also work quickly so that you can workout without symptoms.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking GTN spray?

If you take too much glyceryl trinitrate spray you may experience sweating, nausea and weakness. You should monitor how you’re feeling until these feelings pass. If you start to feel faint, sit down and raise your legs.

If you forget to take your GTN spray before exercising, stop what you are doing and sit down to take it as soon as you remember. Once you’ve taken a dose of your spray, you should wait a few minutes before resuming activity. Don’t take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed before exercising.

In rare cases, a bluish colour may appear on the fingers and lips. If this happens seek medical attention immediately.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on January 16, 2026. Next review due on January 16, 2029.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

FAQ: GTN spray

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How is GTN spray different from other treatments for angina?

Answer:

There are other drugs used to treat the condition that are aimed at preventing angina attacks in the longer term. These can’t be taken during an attack to ease it, or to prevent one before encountering a trigger.

One example of a long term treatment is beta blockers. These work to slow the heart rate and reduce the amount of oxygen needed by the muscles in the heart.

Calcium channel blockers are another common long term treatment. These lower your blood pressure to make it easier for blood to flow into your heart. Unlike GTN spray, this happens over time and calcium channel blockers cannot be taken during an attack to relieve symptoms.

How effective is glyceryl trinitrate spray?

Answer:

Glyceryl trinitrate is highly effective and easy to use.^[1] It can be a suitable medication option for both reactive treatment to an attack, as well as preventative treatment before exercise.

Analysis shows that using glyceryl trinitrate spray prior to exercise prevents the onset of angina. A dose of 400mcg is regarded to be the most effective.^[2]

Is GTN spray similar to any other treatments?

Answer:

There’s also a branded form of GTN spray, called Glytrin. It has the same active ingredient as GTN spray, works in the same way and comes in the same dose.

There are also other treatments for angina with the same active ingredient as GTN spray, glyceryl trinitrate, that come in different forms. It comes as tablets and patches too, like Deponit patches. So if you don’t want to use a spray, you could try another form of the medication.

Do I need a prescription for GTN spray?

Answer:

GTN spray is a pharmacy medicine, so you don’t need a prescription for it. But you will need to talk to a clinician first, and get it from a registered pharmacy. They need to make sure it’s right for you to use, and give you some advice on how to take it.

Chest pain can also be a worrying symptom, so they’ll need to check there isn’t a more serious underlying cause first. If you tell us about your health, our clinicians will check it over and you can order GTN spray straight from us to your home.

Treated trusted sources:

Janicki, K., Działak, P., Franczuk, P. and Pieniazek, W. (2001). [Clinical evaluation of nitrates in exercise-induced angina]. Przeglad Lekarski, 58(6), pp.487–489.
Parker, J.O., Vankoughnett, K.A. and Farrell, B. (1986). Nitroglycerin lingual spray: clinical efficacy and dose-response relation. The American Journal of Cardiology, 57(1), pp.1–5.