Glyceryl Trinitrate Actavis

Glyceryl trinitrate.

Each tablet contains 0.525mg of the active ingredient Glyceryl trinitrate 2% adsorbate which is equivalent to 500micrograms of Glyceryl trinitrate.
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: The other ingredients are lactose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide, mannitol and acacia.

Glyceryl Trinitrate belongs to a group of medicines called nitrate vasodilators. These medicines work by relaxing the blood vessels of the heart. This reduces the strain on the heart by making it easier to pump blood.

Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets BP may be used to: prevent or stop chest pain caused by angina pectoris; stop spasms in the blood vessels of the heart.

Always take Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets exactly as advised by the doctor. If the patient is not sure, check with the doctor or pharmacist.
Do not swallow the tablets.
Doses: Adult: Take the tablets sat down when taking to stop angina pectoris. 1 tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve slowly; this dose should be repeated after 5 minutes if symptoms are not relieved. If pain persists after a total of 3 doses in 15 minutes the patient should seek medical advice immediately.
Older people: When taking to prevent or stop angina pectoris take the tablets sat down to reduce possible fainting or low blood pressure.
The doctor will change the dose to suit the patient's condition. If the patient notices that the tablets are not working as well at relieving pain as they have done, the patient should contact the pharmacist or doctor. If the patient needs more tablets than before to help, the patient should tell the doctor who will advise what to do.

If the patient (or someone else) swallows a lot of tablets at the same time, or the patient thinks a child may have swallowed any, contact the nearest hospital casualty department or tell the doctor immediately. Symptoms of an overdose include being sick, restlessness, low blood pressure, fainting, blueness of the skin, methaemoglobin in the blood, breathing difficulties, lack of oxygen in tissues, slow heart beat and mental illness.

Do not take Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets if the patient: Is allergic (hypersensitive) to glyceryl trinitrate, nitrates or any of the ingredients in the tablet. An allergic reaction may include a rash, itching, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue (see Description).
Has anaemia.
Has raised pressure in the head including that caused by an accident to the head or bleeding on the brain, causing painful eyes, changes in vision and a bad headache especially behind the eyes.
Has increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma).
Is taking sildenafil (Viagra) or similar medicines (such as tadalafil or vardenafil) used for the treatment of erection problems.

Talk to the doctor or pharmacist before taking Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets if the patient has: severe liver or kidney problems; an under active thyroid gland; had a recent heart attack; low body temperature (hypothermia); poor nutrition due to an unbalanced diet or digestion problems (malnutrition); abnormally low levels of oxygen in the blood (hypoxaemia); very low blood pressure, low blood volume or conditions that lower blood volume in the heart; any of the following heart conditions: narrowing of heart valves, inflammation of the heart, build up of fluid around the heart or heart failure; disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain (cerebrovascular disease).
Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets with alcohol: The patient is advised not to drink alcohol with Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets, as some of the effects of this medicine are increased.
Glyceryl Trinitrate Tablets contains lactose: If the patient has been told he/she has an intolerance to some sugars, contact the doctor before taking this medicine, as it contains lactose.
Driving and using machines: As glyceryl trinitrate can cause dizziness the patient should make sure he/she is not affected before driving or operating machinery, especially if taken with alcohol.

If the patient is pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast feeding, she should ask the doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking the medicine.

Like all medicines, Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If any of the following serious side effects happen, stop taking the medicine and tell the doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital: Worsening of angina symptoms, chest pains, hypoxaemia (difficulty breathing, increased rate of breathing), methaemoglobinaemia (breathing problems, headache, tiredness), difficulty breathing, blue colouring of the lips, fingers or toes (cyanosis), rapid (tachycardia) or slowed (bradycardia) heartbeat, blindness in one eye, cerebral ischaemia which may cause weakness in one arm or leg, or weakness in one entire side of the body, difficulty speaking, slurred speech, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness.
Other side effects: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people): throbbing headache.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people): spinning sensation, fall in blood pressure when seated or standing up, dizziness, drowsiness; weakness.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people): fainting, facial flushing, feeling or being sick, localised burning sensation, tongue blistering.
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): allergic skin reactions.
Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people): restlessness; heartburn; bad breath, itchy, flaky or red skin, skin rash.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data): pain around the eye, changes in vision.
Reporting of side effects: If the patient gets any side effects, he/she should talk to the doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed.
By reporting side effects the patient can help provide more information on the safety of the medicine.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist if the patient is taking, has recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Especially: sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) or vardenafil (Levitra) used to treat erection problems; heparin used to thin the blood; n-acetylcysteine used in paracetamol overdose; long acting nitrates (isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate); medicines used to treat high blood pressure; medicines that can cause dry mouth (amitriptyline, disopyramide, atropine and propantheline, tricyclic antidepressants); apomorphine used to treat Parkinson's disease; medicines used to treat migraine (ergot alkaloids).

The active medicine quickly evaporates from the tablet and the patient should observe the following conditions to ensure continued potency of the tablets.
If the patient does not use the tablets within 8 weeks of first opening the bottle, obtain a fresh supply and return the old tablets to the pharmacist. (Fresh tablets should produce a slight burning sensation when placed under the tongue; if this does not occur, obtain a fresh supply). In any event do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown.
The Glyceryl Trinitrate tablets will be in a glass airtight container with a foil-lined cap. Keep them in this.
After each use close the bottle cap tightly.
Do not put cotton wool, other medicines, or anything else in the bottle with the tablets.
Store the tablets below 25°C in a dry place, protected from light. If the patient needs to carry them with him/her do not carry them close to the body, rather in a purse, wallet or handbag.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask the pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

Anti-Anginal Drugs / Cardiac Drugs

C01DA02 - glyceryl trinitrate ; Belongs to the class of organic nitrate vasodilators. Used in the treatment of cardiac disease.

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