Nitroglycerin: Difference between revisions
imported>Yuval Langer (Starting this article for the PARTEH (party...)) |
imported>Gareth Leng (medical uses) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Nitroglycerin''' is a very unstable [[high-explosive]]. Its chemical composition is propane-1,2,3-triyl trinitrate, a [[glycerol]] molecule with three nitro groups substituents on the hydroxy groups. | '''Nitroglycerin''' is a very unstable [[high-explosive]]. Its chemical composition is propane-1,2,3-triyl trinitrate, a [[glycerol]] molecule with three nitro groups substituents on the hydroxy groups. | ||
==Medical uses== | |||
Nitroglycerin is used to treat chest pain (angina). It works by relaxing the blood vessels to the heart ([[vasodilation]], thereby increasing the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. Nitroglycerin can thus reduce chest pain but it does not cure the underlying causes. | |||
Nitroglycerin (as a medicine) comes in the form of a sublingual tablet, buccal tablet, extended-release (long-acting) capsule, or oral spray. The extended-release formulations are usually taken 3-6 times a day to treat chronic or frequently recurring chest pain. The sublingual tablet and spray are used to relieve acute chest pain that has already started, or to prevent pain before activities that are known to provoke attacks (e.g., exercise or cold weather). Common side-effects include headache, rash, dizziness, upset stomach and flushing (feeling of warmth). [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601086.html] | |||
''Brand names'' | |||
Nitro-Bid® | |||
Nitrogard® | |||
Nitroglycerin Slocaps® | |||
Nitrolingual® Pumpspray | |||
NitroQuick® | |||
Nitrostat® | |||
Nitrotab® | |||
Nitro-Time® | |||
Revision as of 09:06, 5 September 2007
Nitroglycerin is a very unstable high-explosive. Its chemical composition is propane-1,2,3-triyl trinitrate, a glycerol molecule with three nitro groups substituents on the hydroxy groups.
Medical uses
Nitroglycerin is used to treat chest pain (angina). It works by relaxing the blood vessels to the heart (vasodilation, thereby increasing the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. Nitroglycerin can thus reduce chest pain but it does not cure the underlying causes.
Nitroglycerin (as a medicine) comes in the form of a sublingual tablet, buccal tablet, extended-release (long-acting) capsule, or oral spray. The extended-release formulations are usually taken 3-6 times a day to treat chronic or frequently recurring chest pain. The sublingual tablet and spray are used to relieve acute chest pain that has already started, or to prevent pain before activities that are known to provoke attacks (e.g., exercise or cold weather). Common side-effects include headache, rash, dizziness, upset stomach and flushing (feeling of warmth). [1]
Brand names
Nitro-Bid® Nitrogard® Nitroglycerin Slocaps® Nitrolingual® Pumpspray NitroQuick® Nitrostat® Nitrotab® Nitro-Time®