Why should nitroglycerin not be swallowed?

Why should nitroglycerin not be swallowed?

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or swallowed. They work much faster when absorbed through the lining of the mouth.

Is nitroglycerin poisonous?

HUMAN EXPOSURE: Main risks and target organs: Toxic effects of glyceryl trinitrate are caused by vasodilatation and methemoglobinemia. Venous and arterial vasodilatation causes lowering of blood pressure leading to shock. Heart, blood vessels and red blood cells are the target organs in glyceryl trinitrate poisoning.

How long does nitroglycerin last in your system?

6. Response and effectiveness. Nitroglycerin acts in the body for an extremely short period (the half-life is 1 to 4 minutes), although it is metabolized to longer-lived active metabolites.

What do nitro pills do?

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are used to treat episodes of angina (chest pain) in people who have coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). It is also used just before activities that may cause episodes of angina in order to prevent the angina from occurring.

Is nitroglycerin a high explosive?

Nitroglycerin is an oily, colourless liquid, but also a high explosive that is so unstable that the slightest jolt, impact or friction can cause it to spontaneously detonate. It is the speed of the decomposition reaction which makes nitroglycerin such a violent explosive.

How do you feel after taking nitroglycerin?

Normal, temporary side effects of nitroglycerin include a warm or flushed feeling, headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness. You may also feel a burning sensation under your tongue. Do not take an erection-enhancing medicine if you are taking nitroglycerin.

Can nitroglycerin damage your heart?

One of the reasons that nitroglycerin can eventually be harmful to the heart is that it destroys an enzyme called ALDH2. This enzyme is responsible for converting nitroglycerin to nitric oxide, the compound that dilates blood vessels and increases blood flow.

Can I eat after taking nitroglycerin?

Saliva around the tablet will help it to dissolve more quickly. Do not eat or drink, smoke or chew tobacco while a tablet is dissolving. If you are not better within 5 minutes after taking ONE dose of nitroglycerin, call 9-1-1 immediately to seek emergency medical care.

How long does a nitro pill last?

The effects of nitrates taken under the tongue, as sublingual nitroglycerin, only last about 5 to 10 minutes or so. Longer-lasting nitroglycerin and other nitrate compounds also can be taken to prevent angina — chest pain. Chest pain or pressure can occur when the heart is not getting enough blood.

What does it feel like when you take nitroglycerin?

Is nitroglycerin the same as dynamite?

1. Dynamite is not the same thing as TNT. Instead, the active explosive in dynamite is a chemical called nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin was first made in 1847 by Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero — not by Alfred Nobel.

Can nitroglycerin make you pass out?

Taking nitroglycerin can lower your blood pressure, which could cause you to pass out if you are standing up.

What to do if you swallow nitroglycerin tablet?

Place the under-the-tongue (sublingual) tablet under your tongue. Leave it there until it dissolves. If you accidentally swallow the tablet, take another. The medicine won’t work if it is swallowed.

What are the symptoms of nitroglycerin side effects?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: blurred vision. dry mouth. rash, blistering, or peeling of the skin. hives. itching. difficulty breathing or swallowing. nausea.

Where to put nitroglycerin sublingual tablets in the mouth?

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or swallowed. They work much faster when absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Place the tablet under the tongue or between the cheek and gum, and let it dissolve. Do not eat, drink, smoke, or use chewing tobacco while a tablet is dissolving.

How long does it take for nitroglycerin tablets to work?

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets usually give relief in 1 to 5 minutes. However, if the pain is not relieved, you may use a second tablet 5 minutes after you take the first tablet. If the pain continues for another 5 minutes, a third tablet may be used.