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Indications - Nitroglycerin Injection is indicated for the treatment of peri-operative hypertension; for controlling of congestive heart failure in the setting of acute myocardial infarction; for treatment of angina pectoris in patients who have not responded to sublingual nitroglycerin and beta blockers and for induction of Intraoperative hypotension.

Dosage & Administration - Not for direct intravenous injection. Nitroglycerin injection is a concentrated, potent drug which must be diluted in dextrose (5%) injection or sodium chloride (0.9%) injection prior to its infusion. Nitroglycerin injection should not be mixed with other drugs. Initial Dilution: Aseptically transfer the contents of one nitroglycerin ampoule (containing 50 mg of nitroglycerin) into a 500 ml glass bottle of either Dextrose (5%) Injection or Sodium Chloride Injection (0.9%).This yields a final concentration of 100 mcg/ml. Maintenance Dilution: It is important to consider the fluid requirements of the patient as well as the expected duration of infusion in selecting the appropriate dilution of Nitroglycerin Injection. After the initial dosage titration, the concentration of the solution may be increased, if necessary, to limit fluids given to the patient. The nitroglycerin concentration should not exceed 400 mcg/ml.

Side Effects - Adverse reactions to nitroglycerin are generally dose-related and almost all of these reactions are the result of nitroglycerin's activity as a vasodilator. Headache, which may be severe, is the most commonly reported side effect. Headache may be recurrent with each daily dose, especially at higher doses. Transient episodes of lightheadedness, occasionally related to blood pressure changes, may also occur. Hypotension occurs infrequently, but in some patients it may be severe enough to warrant discontinuation of therapy. Syncope, crescendo angina, and rebound hypertension have been reported but are uncommon. Extremely rarely, ordinary doses of organic nitrates have caused methemoglobinemia in normal-seeming patients. Methemoglobinemia is so infrequent at these doses that further discussion of its diagnosis and treatment is deferred.

Contraindications - Allergic reactionsto organic nitrates are extremely rare,but they do occur. Nitroglycerin Injection is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to it. In patients with pericardial tamponade, restrictive cardiomyopathy, or constrictive pericarditis, cardiac output is dependent upon venousreturn. Intravenous nitroglycerin is contraindicated in patients with these conditions

Others - Pregnancy & Lactation Pregnancy category C. It is not known whether nitroglycerin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when nitroglycerin injection is administered to a nursing mother.