drug-information.ru

|Nitroglycerin Patch

Nitroglycerin Patch

Nitroglycerin Patch is used for:

Preventing chest pain due to heart disease. It also may be used for certain conditions as determined by your doctor.

Nitroglycerin Patch is a nitrate vasodilator. It works by relaxing blood vessels in the body, which allows them to widen (dilate). This allows more blood to flow through the blood vessels easier, which reduces the workload on the heart.

Do NOT use Nitroglycerin Patch if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Nitroglycerin Patch
• you are allergic to the adhesive that makes the patch stick to your skin
• you are currently taking a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (eg, sildenafil)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Nitroglycerin Patch:

Some medical conditions may interact with Nitroglycerin Patch. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have bleeding in the brain or have had a recent head injury
• if you have heart problems, severe anemia, an overactive thyroid, or low blood pressure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nitroglycerin Patch. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil) or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (eg, sildenafil) because side effects, such as low blood pressure, may occur
• Alteplase because the effectiveness of Nitroglycerin Patch may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nitroglycerin Patch may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Nitroglycerin Patch:

Use Nitroglycerin Patch as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Nitroglycerin Patch comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Nitroglycerin Patch refilled.
• Nitroglycerin Patch is for external use only.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying.
• Apply the patch to the chest, inner side of the upper arm, or shoulder.
• Clean and dry the skin before applying the patch. If necessary, hair may be removed by clipping.
• Remove the patch from the package. Apply with a firm pressure to the skin. To avoid skin irritation, change the treatment site daily. Do not apply to irritated or damaged skin.
• If the patch becomes loose, remove it and apply a new patch at a different site.
• After you remove the used patch, fold the sticky side together and throw away.
• This patch should only be worn for up to 12 to 14 hours a day, or as directed by your doctor, so that you will have a 10 to 12 hour "nitrate-free" period each day. Do not use more of Nitroglycerin Patch than prescribed. It is important to have a "nitrate-free" period of time each day for Nitroglycerin Patch to continue to work well and to decrease the risk of physical dependence.
• If you miss a dose of Nitroglycerin Patch, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nitroglycerin Patch.

Important safety information:

• Nitroglycerin Patch may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Nitroglycerin Patch. Using Nitroglycerin Patch alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Nitroglycerin Patch may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit or stand up slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
• Nitroglycerin Patch may give you daily headaches. This should become less noticeable with time.
• Nitroglycerin Patch takes about 1 to 2 hours to start working and should not be used for a sudden chest pain attack.
• Use Nitroglycerin Patch with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Nitroglycerin Patch is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Nitroglycerin Patch during pregnancy. It is unknown if Nitroglycerin Patch is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Nitroglycerin Patch.

When used for long periods of time without a break, Nitroglycerin Patch may not work as well. This is known as TOLERANCE. Tolerance to other nitrates and nitrites may also occur. Increasing the dose is not effective in managing tolerance to Nitroglycerin Patch. Talk with your doctor if Nitroglycerin Patch stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

When used for long periods of time without a break, some people develop a physical need to continue taking Nitroglycerin Patch. This is known as physical DEPENDENCE. Do not suddenly stop taking Nitroglycerin Patch without your doctor"s approval. Stopping Nitroglycerin Patch suddenly may cause serious, possibly life-threatening, WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including chest pain and heart attack. Having a nitrate-free period each day will help prevent tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal problems.

Possible side effects of Nitroglycerin Patch:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when sitting up or standing; fast heartbeat; flushing of face and neck; headache; irritation at site of patch; nausea; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; increased chest pain.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include changes in heart rate; changes in vision; confusion; dizziness; flushing; nausea; persistent, throbbing headache; sweating; vomiting; weakness.

Store this medicine at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Nitroglycerin Patch out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Nitroglycerin Patch, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Nitroglycerin Patch is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Nitroglycerin Patch. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.