Nitrates Sublingual, Chewable, or Buccal (Systemic)
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nitrates, the following
should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to nitrates or nitrites. Also tell your health care professional
if you are allergic to any other substances, such as certain foods, preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy - Nitrates have not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in rabbits given large doses of isosorbide dinitrate have
shown adverse effects on the fetus. Before taking these medicines, make sure
your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether these medicines pass into
breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts,
many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking
these medicines and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their
doctor.
Children - Studies on these medicines have been done only in
adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of nitrates
in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - Dizziness or lightheadedness may be more likely to
occur in the elderly, who may be more sensitive to the effects of nitrates.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
nitrates, it is especially important that your health care professional know
if you are taking any of the following:
-
Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine) or
-
Other heart medicine or
-
Sildenafil - May increase the effects of nitrates on blood pressure
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of nitrates. Make sure you tell your doctor if
you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Glaucoma - May be worsened by nitrates
-
Head injury (recent) or
-
Stroke (recent) - Nitrates may increase pressure in the brain,
which can make problems worse
-
Heart attack (recent) - Nitrates may lower blood pressure, which
can aggravate problems associated with heart attack
-
Kidney disease or
-
Liver disease - Effects may be increased because of slower removal
of nitroglycerin from the body
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