GTN Spray

GTN Spray is used to prevent attacks of angina (chest pain) and treatment of angina due to coronary artery disease. Angina occurs when the heart does not get a sufficient amount of oxygen. When the heart does not get enough oxygenated blood, then it is unable to function properly. If proper treatment is not provided at the right time, it can even cause heart attack, heart failure, or arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms).

GTN Spray contains Glyceryl Trinitrate, a vasodilator in nature, which works by relaxing the blood vessels and decreasing the demand for oxygen the heart requires. As a result, it reduces heart workload and prevents attacks of angina. The dose of GTN Spray may be required to increase after a certain time as tolerance may develop after some time. Your doctor might increase the dose depending on your condition, and please stick to the dosage schedule.

GTN Spray can be taken with or without food in a dose and duration as advised by the doctor. This medicine may cause certain common side effects like dry mouth, blurred vision, insomnia, headache, dizziness, weakness, heart palpitations, low blood pressure upon rising from a seated position, nausea and vomiting, sweating, and flushing (warm or red condition of your skin). Most of these side effects are temporary and do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects persist, reach out to your doctor.

GTN Spray should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Take this medicine only if the doctor prescribes it. Never encourage self-medication or suggest your medicine to other people. GTN Spray is not recommended if you are taking medication for glaucoma, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, or anaemia. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not stop taking GTN Spray abruptly, as it may lead to severe side effects. Avoid alcohol consumption as it might lead to very low blood pressure.

GTN Spray contains Glyceryl Trinitrate, a vasodilator in nature. It works by relaxing the blood vessels and decreasing the demand for oxygen the heart requires. As a result, it reduces heart workload and prevents attacks of angina. The dose of GTN Spray may be required to increase after a certain time as GTN Spray develops tolerance after some time. Your doctor might increase your dose depending on your condition, and please stick to the dosage schedule.

• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision 
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Heart palpitations
• Low blood pressure upon rising from a seated position
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sweating
• Flushing

Do not take GTN Spray if you are allergic to nitrates or its ingredients. Inform your doctor if you are taking other OTC medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. If you have kidney disease, drink or have ever consumed large amounts of alcohol, have anaemia or have a heart attack, GTN Spray should be taken with caution and only if prescribed by a doctor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking GTN Spray. GTN Spray may cause dizziness, light-headedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position; hence take care and rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Drug-Drug Interactions: This medicine may have an interaction with any medicines that are used to treat angina, heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat, anticoagulant medications (warfarin), anti-depressant medications (bupropion), migraine medicines (ergotamine), erectile dysfunction medication (alprostadil, avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil), blood thinners (aspirin), NSAIDs (naproxen, ibuprofen),  and tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin).

Drug-Food Interactions: Limit alcohol consumption and drinks containing caffeine.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have or ever had a myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, anaemia, hemodialysis (a procedure where a dialysis machine and a special filter called an artificial kidney), hypotension, intracranial pressure, pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and glaucoma.

• TADALAFIL
• WARFARIN
• ERGOTAMINE
• BUPROPION
• IBUPROFEN
• AMITRIPTYLINE
• NAPROXEN
• DOXEPIN

• Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages while using GTN Spray as it can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep.
• Quit smoking as smoking increases the heart rate and the heart’s workload.
• Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
• Eat a healthy balanced diet, including plenty of fluids, vegetables, proteins, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. It will also help reduce weight and lower the risk of a heart attack. 
• Regular exercise keeps the heart and blood vessels in good condition, so the chances are reduced having an attack. Also, use the GTN Spray before the exercise.

• Certain diagnostic tests like a Stress test, Echocardiogram, Nuclear stress test, Chest X-ray, Blood tests, and Coronary angiography help in checking angina.
• Regular checkups with the doctor as you may develop tolerance to GTN Spray, and the same dose may be less effective next time. Your doctor might increase your dose depending on your condition, and please stick to the dosage schedule.

Angina: It is a pain in the chest and discomfort that keeps coming back as the heart does not get sufficient blood. In some cases, the pain and discomfort are also felt in the shoulders, neck, jaw, or back. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Symptoms include squeezing, pressure, a feeling of heaviness, tightness, and pain in the chest. Treatment includes lifestyle changes based on severity, angioplasty, surgery, or medications.