Emergency departments across the United States are facing a shortage of intravenous nitroglycerin, a drug commonly used to treat heart complications.
Here are six alternatives to intravenous nitroglycerin to help reduce the burden of the shortage, presented by MedPage Today.
1. Nitroglycerin paste: This topical ointment helps prevent chest pain by relaxing blood vessels so the heart does not need to work as hard.
2. Nitroglycerin spray: Patients spray the nitroglycerin directly into their mouths.
3. Nitroglycerin tablets: Nitroglycerin is available in sublingual tablets, meaning the tablet is placed directly under the tongue.
4. ACE inhibitor: Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors help relax blood vessels and are used to treat congestive heart failure.
5. Nitroprusside: This compound is intravenously infused and helps reduce blood pressure. When administered in extremely high doses, however, it can lead to cyanide toxicity upon metabolism, although such events are extremely rare in ED settings, according to the report.
6. Nicardipine: Taken orally, this drug is a calcium channel blocker, meaning it blocks the movement of calcium into muscle cells around arteries.
More Articles on the Nitroglycerin Shortage:
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Nitroglycerin in Short Supply
AHA Seeks FDA Action on Saline, IV Solution Shortage