Nitroglycerin
También conocido como: Nitro-bid, Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitrek
### Important Safety and Application Guidelines * **Safety First (Wear Gloves)**: Always wear **non-permeable gloves** (like latex or nitrile) when applying the ointment or handling patches. Nitroglycerin is easily absorbed through human skin and can cause severe headaches, dizziness, or a dangerous drop in your own blood pressure. * **Measuring the Dose**: The dosage is measured in "inches" of ointment. Use the special measuring papers supplied with the product to get the exact dose prescribed by your veterinarian. * **Application**: Apply the ointment to a hairless area as directed (commonly the inside of the ear flap, the groin, or the armpit). Rub the ointment into the skin well. * **Rotate Sites**: Change the application site with each dose (e.g., switch from the left ear to the right ear). This prevents skin irritation and helps the medication absorb better. If a rash develops, do not use that site again until it has completely cleared. * **Avoid Contact**: Do not pet your animal over the area where the ointment was applied. Keep treated pets away from children or other animals who might touch or lick the area. * **When to Call the Vet**: Contact your veterinarian if a skin rash persists, or if your pet seems unusually weak, wobbly, or lethargic (which could be signs of low blood pressure). * **Fire Safety**: Despite its name and history as an explosive, medical nitroglycerin is heavily diluted and there is **no danger of explosion or fire** with the use of this product.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure (severe pulmonary edema secondary to HCM)
- To enhance resolution of pulmonary edema
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure
- Adjunctive treatment of pulmonary edema
- Cardiogenic pulmonary edema (headed for oxygen)
- Adjunctive treatment of hypertension
- Adjunctive therapy for heart failure
- Dilative cardiomyopathy
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure
- Adjunctive treatment of heart failure
- Adjunctive treatment of pulmonary edema
- Cardiogenic pulmonary edema (headed for oxygen)
- Venodilator for adjunctive treatment of systolic heart failure
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Rashes or erythema at the application site
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Transient headaches (common in humans, suspected in animals)
- Lethargy or weakness secondary to hypotension
Cautions & contraindications
- Severe anemia
- Hypersensitivity to nitrates
- ### Important Warnings * **Hypotension Risk**: Use with extreme caution (if at all) in patients with diuretic-induced hypovolemia, cerebral hemorrhage, head trauma, or other hypotensive conditions. * **Tolerance**: Continuous use (48-72 hours) results in the rapid development of tolerance to the drug's effects. Intermittent dosing is recommended. * **Human Exposure**: Personnel applying the drug **must wear non-permeable gloves** to prevent self-absorption, which can cause severe headaches and hypotension. * **Pregnancy**: FDA Category C. Use cautiously as a last resort when the benefit clearly outweighs the risks. Unknown if excreted in maternal milk; use with caution in nursing animals.
Drug interactions
- Antihypertensive drugs: Use of nitroglycerin with other antihypertensive drugs may cause additive hypotensive effects.
- Phenothiazines: May increase hypotensive effects.
- Sildenafil (and other PDE inhibitors): May profoundly increase risk for severe, potentially fatal hypotension.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is Nitroglycerin used for in pets?
### Important Safety and Application Guidelines • Safety First (Wear Gloves): Always wear non-permeable gloves (like latex or nitrile) when applying the ointment or handling patches. Nitroglycerin is easily absorbed through human skin and can cause severe headaches, dizziness, or a dangerous drop in your own blood pressure. • Measuring the Dose: The dosage is measured in "inches" of ointment. Use the special measuring papers supplied with the product to get the exact dose prescribed by your veterinarian. • Application: Apply the ointment to a hairless area as directed (commonly the inside of the ear flap, the groin, or the armpit). Rub the ointment into the skin well. • Rotate Sites: Change the application site with each dose (e.g., switch from the left ear to the right ear). This prevents skin irritation and helps the medication absorb better. If a rash develops, do not use that site again until it has completely cleared. • Avoid Contact: Do not pet your animal over the area where the ointment was applied. Keep treated pets away from children or other animals who might touch or lick the area. • When to Call the Vet: Contact your veterinarian if a skin rash persists, or if your pet seems unusually weak, wobbly, or lethargic (which could be signs of low blood pressure). • Fire Safety: Despite its name and history as an explosive, medical nitroglycerin is heavily diluted and there is no danger of explosion or fire with the use of this product.
Is Nitroglycerin safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Este artículo es educación general y no sustituye el consejo veterinario profesional. Si tu mascota está mal, consulta a un veterinario.
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