Nitroglycerin (Oral Route, Sublingual Route)

Side Effects

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

1. Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
2. burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
3. difficult or labored breathing
4. feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheadedness
5. feeling of warmth or heat
6. flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
7. headache
8. rapid weight gain
9. sweating
10. tightness in the chest
11. tingling of the hands or feet
12. unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

1. Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
2. dark urine
3. fever
4. pale skin
5. rapid heart rate
6. sore throat
7. unusual bleeding or bruising
8. unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

1. Arm, back, or jaw pain
2. blurred vision
3. chest pain or discomfort
4. chest tightness or heaviness
5. confusion
6. cough
7. cracks in the skin
8. difficulty with swallowing
9. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
10. fainting
11. fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
12. feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
13. feeling of warmth
14. hives, itching, or rash
15. increased sweating
16. loss of heat from the body
17. nausea or vomiting
18. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
19. red, swollen skin
20. redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
21. scaly skin
22. sensation of spinning
23. weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

1. Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms
2. blurred or loss of vision
3. bulging soft spot on the head of an infant
4. change in consciousness
5. change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
6. cold, clammy skin
7. dark urine
8. difficulty breathing
9. disturbed color perception
10. dizziness or lightheadedness
11. double vision
12. fever
13. flushed skin
14. halos around lights
15. headache, severe and throbbing
16. increased sweating
17. loss of appetite
18. loss of consciousness
19. night blindness
20. overbright appearance of lights
21. pale skin
22. paralysis
23. slow or irregular heartbeat
24. sore throat
25. tunnel vision
26. unusual bleeding or bruising
27. unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

1. Abdominal or stomach pain
2. body aches or pain
3. congestion
4. hoarseness
5. lack or loss of strength
6. runny nose
7. sneezing
8. stuffy nose
9. tender, swollen glands in the neck
10. voice changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Precautions

Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.