"

Nitroglycerin (NTG)

Class: Nitrate

Mechanism of Action: Causes vasodilation that reduces preload/afterload thereby reducing cardiac workload and myocardial oxygen demand. Dilates coronary arteries, resulting in improved perfusion to ischemic myocardium.  Relief of ischemia is thought to alleviate chest pain.

Onset: Rapid

Indications: Suspected ischemic chest pain, ACS

Contraindications: Hypotension (generally systolic < 100mmHg)

Recent use of erectile dysfunction medications [e.g. Viagra (sildenafil citrate) and Lavitra (vardenafil) within last 24 hr, Cialis (tadalafil) within last 48 hr]

Precautions: Check vitals before each administration, NTG induced hypotension responds well to supine positioning.

Side Effects: Hypotension, headache, dizziness, dry mouth

Dosage: 1 tablet / metered dose spray,(0.4 mg) given sublingually every 5 minutes. Note* some protocols have maximum repeat dosages.

Nitroglycerin

1

2

3

4

5 IM (instructor)

Initials

The original copy of this book resides at openoregon.pressbooks.pub/emslabmanual. If you are reading this work at an alternate web address, it may contain content that has not been vetted by the original authors and physician reviewers.

 

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Oregon EMS Psychomotor Skills Lab Manual Copyright © 2023 by Chris Hamper, BS, NRP; Carmen Curtz, Paramedic, BS; Holly A. Edwins, Paramedic, B.S.; and Jamie Kennel, PhD, MAS, NRP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.