Treating Angina Pectoris
Three Kinds of Angina
Since each kind of angina has different symptoms, and may need different treatment, it's important to know what kind of angina you have.
- Stable angina consists of episodes of chest pain that are usually predictable and triggered by exertion (such as heavy lifting), or mental or emotional stress.1 Usually, the chest discomfort is relieved with rest, nitroglycerin, or both.
- Unstable angina doesn't follow a pattern, is very serious, and needs emergency treatment. It usually happens when at rest.1 The chest discomfort may be more severe and may last longer than typical angina. This may be the person's first episode of angina.
- Variant or Prinzmetal's angina is usually spontaneous, and nearly always occurs when a person is at rest.1 Chest discomfort doesn't follow physical exertion or emotional stress and can be very painful. Variant angina is caused by coronary artery spasm.
Remember, only your doctor can accurately determine which kind of angina you have and recommend the angina treatment plan that's right for you.
How Angina Is Treated
There are a variety of ways your doctor may choose to treat your angina pectoris and the chest discomfort that accompanies it. Your angina treatment may include one or a combination of medicines including short- or long-acting nitrates, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), or procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).2
For acute relief of the chest pain associated with angina pectoris, short-acting nitrates are most commonly prescribed3, 4. Nitrates, such as nitroglycerin lingual spray or sublingual tablets work by expanding (or dilating) blood vessels. By doing this, blood flow to the heart improves and the heart gets the oxygen it needs.
Short-Acting Nitroglycerin Is Available in Different Forms
In the past, short-acting nitroglycerin treatment for angina was only available in tablets. Today, nitroglycerin lingual spray is also available. If you are taking nitroglycerin, it's important to keep it with you at all times.
- Tablets are placed under the tongue, not swallowed
- The nitroglycerin lingual spray is delivered onto or under the tongue
What You Can Expect from Treatment
When you take nitroglycerin tablets or nitroglycerin lingual spray, you should sit or lie down for a few minutes because nitrates can lower blood pressure and this may make you feel dizzy or faint.
Indications and Usage:
Nitrolingual Pumpspray is indicated for acute relief of an attack or prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.
Ask your healthcare professional if Nitrolingual Pumpspray is right for you.
Effective Pain Relief
- Acute relief of an attack or prophylaxis of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease
- Increase in exercise tolerance and time to onset of angina
- Well tolerated, with generally mild to moderate side effects
Spray Form
- Consistent dosing with each metered lingual spray
- Available in two convenient bottle sizes: a travel-size 60 metered lingual spray bottle and a 200 metered lingual spray bottle.
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Stability & Potency
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Important Safety Information
Nitrolingual Pumpspray should not be used if you are allergic to nitroglycerin or if you are using medications for erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil. Using Nitrolingual Pumpspray with these products may cause low blood pressure, known as hypotension, due to widening of blood vessels.
You should use Nitroglycerin with caution in the early days after a heart attack and it may aggravate the angina caused by a condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Increased hypotension, mainly when standing upright, may occur even with small doses of nitroglycerin and may result in slow heart beat and increased angina. It should be used with caution if you are dehydrated due to drug therapy or if you have low blood pressure.
You might develop a tolerance to this drug or to other nitrates and nitrites.
Headache is the most reported side-effect and may be severe and persistent. Other side effects that may have been reported are headache, dizziness, or numbness and tingling of the skin.
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Talk to your healthcare provider to see if Nitrolingual is right for you.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088
References
- American Heart Association. "Angina Pectoris". Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4472. Accessed April 11, 2011.
- Boden, WE, Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Stable Angina: A Case Study for Clinical Practice. Available at: http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/702217?src=cmemp. Accessed May 29, 2009.
- Parker, JD, Parker, JO. Nitrate therapy for stable angina pectoris. N Engl J Med 1998; 338:520.
- Abrams, J. Hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin and long-acting nitrates. Am Heart J 1985; 110:216.
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