What it means
Nitrates widen veins and, to a lesser degree, arteries, so the heart has less blood to pump and needs less oxygen. They are used to treat and prevent angina (chest pain from too little blood to the heart muscle) and sometimes heart failure. Nitroglycerin comes as tablets under the tongue, sprays, patches, ointment and IV; isosorbide mononitrate and dinitrate are taken by mouth. Headache, dizziness, flushing and low blood pressure are common.
For the nurse
Check blood pressure before giving. For chest pain, teach one tablet under the tongue every 5 minutes, up to three, and to call 911 if pain is not better 5 minutes after the first. Store tablets in the dark glass bottle. Nitrates must not be taken with erectile dysfunction drugs such as sildenafil, because blood pressure can drop dangerously. Patches are often removed for part of each day so the drug keeps working.
At a glance
| Drug class | nitrate (vasodilator, antianginal) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | nitrato |
| Also written | nitrates, organic nitrate |
Related terms
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
myocardial infarction
Death of part of the heart muscle because its blood supply is blocked; a heart attack.
preload
How much the heart's ventricles are stretched by the blood filling them just before they squeeze.
flushing
A sudden warm reddening of the skin, usually of the face, neck or chest.