Nitrates

Nitroglycerin is a rapid smooth muscle relaxant that reduces peripheral vascular resistance, blood pressure, venous return, and cardiac workload

• 1. Chest pain associated with angina
• 2. Acute myocardial infarction
• 3. Acute pulmonary edema

• 1. Hypersensitivity
• 2. Tolerance to nitrates
• 3. Severe anemia
• 4. Head trauma
• 5. Hypotension
• 6. Increased ICP
• 7. Patients taking sildenafil
• 8. Glaucoma
• 9. Shock

• May induce headache that is sometimes severe.
• Light sensitive and will lose potency when exposed to air.

• 1. 1 tablet (0.4mg) SL. May be repeated every 3-5min up to 3 tablets
• 2. 1/2 inch of topical ointment
• 3. 0.4mg (one spray) SL up to 3 sprays every 25min

• 1. relaxes blood vessels
• 2. increases blood and oxygen supply to the heart

• Nitroglycerin infusions are used to help relieve the pain associated with angina that does not respond to oral treatment
• - to control blood pressure
• - help treat CHF

• 1. Hypotension
• 2. Uncorrected hypovolemia
• 3. Increased ICP
• 4. Constrictive pericarditis
• 5. Pericardial tamponade

• 1. headache
• 2. severe hypotension
• 3. reflex tachycardia

0.2 - 1.5 mcg/kg/minute