Why is nitroglycerin taken sublingually?

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are used to treat episodes of angina (chest pain) in people who have coronary artery disease (narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). It is also used just before activities that may cause episodes of angina in order to prevent the angina from occurring.

Can nitroglycerin be taken orally?

Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or swallowed. They work much faster when absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Place the tablet under the tongue or between the cheek and gum, and let it dissolve. Do not eat, drink, smoke, or use chewing tobacco while a tablet is dissolving.

Why is sublingual more effective?

Sublingual medications are placed under the tongue. They dissolve there, and their active ingredients are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Sublingual drugs go into effect more quickly because they don’t have to go through your stomach and digestive system before being absorbed into the bloodstream.

What is an advantage of prescribing a sublingual medication?

Advantages. Sublingual or buccal forms of drugs have their advantages. Because the medication absorbs quickly, these types of administration can be important during emergencies when you need the drug to work right away, such as during a heart attack.

Why are sublingual medications faster acting than swallowed oral medications?

Because gastric acid and intestinal and hepatic enzymes are bypassed, sublingual absorption can be more efficient overall for certain drugs than intestinal uptake. The onset of drug effect may also be quicker than with oral ingestion.

Does nitroglycerin cause dry mouth?

Blurred vision or dryness of the mouth may occur while using this medicine. Check with your doctor if this concerns you. Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine.

What happens if you swallow a nitroglycerin tablet?

Place the under-the-tongue (sublingual) tablet under your tongue. Leave it there until it dissolves. If you accidentally swallow the tablet, take another. The medicine won’t work if it is swallowed.