Нитроспрей

Quick links to important sections

Нитроспрей

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Нитроспрей

Property Description
Active ingredient Nitroglycerin (Glyceryl Trinitrate)
Form Metered-dose sublingual spray
Pharmacological class Vasodilator (Organic Nitrate)
General purpose Rapid relief of discomfort linked to compromised cardiac blood flow
Origin Synthetic compound

What is Нитроспрей and its Pharmacological Class?

Нитроспрей is a brand-name, synthetic, prescription-only medication whose active component is Nitroglycerin, officially known as Glyceryl Trinitrate. It is classified as an Organic Nitrate and belongs to the broader pharmacological category of Vasodilators, a classification recognized for its role in rapidly modulating vascular tension. Unlike other cardiovascular treatments, this class directly and immediately influences the smooth muscle surrounding blood vessels. The drug is typically positioned as an emergency medication used in situations requiring the swift resolution of discomfort associated with temporary inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle.

Composition, Form, and General Purpose

The distinguishing characteristic of Нитроспрей is its pharmaceutical form: a metered-dose sublingual spray, delivered as an aerosol dosed sublingual preparation. This preparation contains a single active ingredient, Nitroglycerin, dissolved in an alcoholic solution base. The sublingual route provides ultra-rapid absorption into the bloodstream, bypassing initial metabolism. The drug's core purpose is the swift, effective management of acute situations, making it a crucial component in rapid response protocols where immediate systemic availability is paramount.

How does the Nitroglycerin Component Work? (High-Level Principle)

The fundamental mechanism involves Nitroglycerin functioning as an exogenous nitric oxide donor within the body. The resulting release of nitric oxide (NO) triggers the surrounding smooth muscle tissue to relax, causing widespread vasodilation (vessel widening). This principle yields a recognized dual benefit: it reduces the heart’s workload by decreasing both the volume of blood returning to the heart (preload) and the resistance it must pump against (afterload), while simultaneously improving blood supply by dilating the coronary arteries. This rapid, dual-action mechanism is the key to the drug's immediate systemic impact.

Regulatory References

  1. Nitroglycerin Spray: MedlinePlus Drug Information

What side effects are possible with Нитроспрей?

Official Safety Profile and Side Effects

This section summarizes the adverse reactions and safety information for Nitrospray (glyceryl trinitrate) as documented in official government regulatory sources, such as FDA Prescribing Information and EMA Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).

Frequency-Classified Adverse Reactions

The side effects are primarily related to the drug's vasodilating action and are categorized by frequency:

Frequency Side Effect (Examples) System Organ Class
Very Common (≥ 1/10) Headache (Nitrate Headache) Nervous System
Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10) Dizziness, Hypotension, Tachycardia Nervous System, Vascular, Cardiac
Uncommon (< 1/100) Syncope (fainting), Nausea, Vomiting Nervous System, Gastrointestinal

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Limitations

Official regulatory documents classify certain rare events as serious, requiring specific warnings. The most critical safety concern is the risk of Severe Hypotension and Circulatory Collapse.

  • Serious Reactions: Severe hypotension, circulatory collapse, and (at high cumulative exposure) methaemoglobinaemia.
  • Absolute Contraindication: The concurrent use of Nitrospray with Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors (such as sildenafil or tadalafil) is strictly prohibited. This combination carries a high risk of life-threatening severe hypotension.
  • Other Contraindications: Use is restricted in patients with severe anaemia, increased intracranial pressure, specific forms of heart valve or muscle disease (e.g., severe aortic stenosis or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy), and acute circulatory failure.

Population and Exposure Considerations

  • Population-Specific Notes: The medication must be used with caution in patients who already have low blood pressure or low blood volume.
  • Exposure Patterns: The very common headache may lessen in severity or frequency with continued use. Regulatory labels also address the potential for tolerance to develop with prolonged, continuous exposure.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The officially documented profile for overdosage of Нитроспрей (Nitroglycerin) is characterized by exaggerated effects of potent vasodilation, primarily affecting the circulatory system. Overexposure may present with clear manifestations such as a severe, throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, flushing, diaphoresis (sweating), and visual disturbance. More serious systemic signs can include vomiting, fever, and profound weakness.

The most severe outcome documented in regulatory labeling is severe hypotension, which can rapidly progress to circulatory failure, syncope (fainting), seizures, or coma. The development of methemoglobinemia, which manifests as cyanosis, is also a severe, life-threatening complication associated with nitrate overdosage. Elderly patients may exhibit greater sensitivity to the drug's effects.

Immediate medical attention is mandated for any suspected overdosage. Regulators explicitly state that prompt medical help is required if chest discomfort persists after a total of three sprays have been administered within a 15-minute interval. Additionally, emergency services must be contacted immediately if symptoms involve collapse, a seizure, or inability to be awakened.

Management is defined as appropriate supportive care since no specific antidote is known. Officially described procedures to counteract severe hypotension include elevation of the extremities and central volume expansion via intravenous fluids, accompanied by careful hemodynamic monitoring.

Therapeutic Uses of Нитроспрей

What Нитроспрей Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The core therapeutic application of Нитроспрей (Nitroglycerin sublingual spray) is centered on the relief of discomfort associated with compromised blood flow to the heart muscle, and is applied across domains where short-term symptom management is appropriate. The medication is applicable within clinical settings that involve acute or disruptive symptom patterns in the context of coronary artery disease.

The medication is commonly used to help with symptomatic relief during acute episodes of angina pectoris, for situational prophylaxis before predictable triggers, and in conditions characterized by recurrent or episodic manifestations, such as stable ischemic heart disease or coronary artery spasm. It is applied when symptoms create noticeable physiological strain, which includes pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest, and the referred pain that may radiate to the jaw or arms.

This short-term symptomatic assistance is applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required, offers symptomatic relief that helps patients cope more steadily with difficult episodes, and helps improve day-to-day comfort when symptoms are more noticeable.


Quick Fact: Relief for Anginal Chest Discomfort The primary benefit of Нитроспрей is its ability to address symptoms related to acute physical discomfort and heightened physiological activity resulting from temporary myocardial ischemia.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH DailyMed label

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

This section summarizes the official eligibility and non-eligibility information for nitroglycerin lingual spray (Нитроспрей) as documented in authoritative regulatory sources.

Populations Who Must Not Use (Contraindications)

The medicine is strictly contraindicated and must not be used by patients in the following categories:

  • Individuals taking Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) or soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators (such as riociguat). Concomitant use with these drugs can lead to life-threatening drops in blood pressure.
  • Patients with severe anemia.
  • Patients with increased intracranial pressure, such as from recent cerebral hemorrhage or head trauma.
  • Individuals experiencing acute circulatory failure or shock.
  • Patients with a known history of hypersensitivity (allergy) to nitroglycerin, other nitrates, nitrites, or any component of the spray.

Restricted or Special Consideration Use

  • Children: The safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been established in pediatric patients; therefore, its use is generally not recommended in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
  • Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy: Use requires extreme caution, as nitrate therapy may aggravate the angina associated with this condition.
  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Use during pregnancy is generally considered only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk. It is unknown if the drug is excreted in human milk, and a decision to discontinue nursing or the drug must be made.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Official Interaction Restrictions

The regulatory profile for Nitroglycerin sublingual spray is structured around specific interaction patterns documented in authoritative government prescribing information.

Contraindicated Combinations

Co-administration with Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE-5) Inhibitors (such as sildenafil or tadalafil) and Soluble Guanylate Cyclase (sGC) Stimulators (such as riociguat) is strictly contraindicated. This prohibition is due to the potential for severe pharmacodynamic potentiation that can result in profound hypotension, syncope, or myocardial ischemia. Due to the unknown time course of this dangerous interaction, use within a few days of one another is officially restricted.

Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Effects

Interactions with other agents are classified based on their documented effect:

  • Additive Hypotension: Co-administration with certain antihypertensive drugs (including beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers) or consumption of alcohol (ethanol) may result in additive blood pressure-lowering effects.
  • Exposure Changes: Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) has been reported to significantly increase Nitroglycerin systemic exposure (Cmax and AUC). Conversely, oral nitroglycerin markedly decreases the first-pass metabolism of Ergotamine and related drugs, subsequently increasing their oral bioavailability.
  • Interference with Coagulation: The anticoagulant effect of Heparin may be reduced by co-administration, a documented effect that requires clinical monitoring.

Mechanism of Action

How Нитроспрей Works: Pharmacodynamic Mechanism

u1f52c Molecular Bioactivation and NO-cGMP Cascade

The active component functions as a prodrug until it is converted into the signaling molecule Nitric Oxide ( NO), primarily by the enzyme Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 ( ALDH2) within vascular muscle cells. This released NO then binds to and activates Soluble Guanylate Cyclase ( sGC), initiating the cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP) cascade that is essential for relaxing the blood vessels.


u1f4a7 Vasodilation and Vascular Tone Modulation

The activated cGMP cascade prevents the phosphorylation of Myosin Light Chains ( MLCs), inhibiting the proteins required for muscle contraction. This results in vascular smooth muscle relaxation (vasodilation), which is the immediate cellular step that leads to alterations in vascular tone and systemic hemodynamics.


u1f4c9 Hemodynamic Load Reduction (Preload and Afterload)

Systemic vasodilation primarily affects the veins, causing pronounced volume redistribution and a significant reduction in the volume of blood returning to the heart (Preload). This mechanism reduces cardiac wall tension and its corresponding oxygen consumption.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration Principles

The administration of Nitroglycerin sublingual spray is via the oromucosal route, where the metered aerosol is delivered onto or under the tongue. Proper use requires the canister to be primed with test sprays before initial administration and following any extended period of non-use to guarantee accurate dosing.

The administration protocol is based on an intermittent, as-needed use pattern, not continuous daily scheduling. For managing acute symptomatic episodes, the standard regimen involves administering one or two metered sprays. If relief is not attained, the dose may be repeated at intervals of approximately 5 minutes. Total administration is restricted to a maximum of three metered sprays within any single 15-minute period. The spray may also be utilized for situational prophylaxis 5 to 10 minutes before engaging in activities known to precipitate symptoms.

To ensure correct systemic delivery, administration should preferably occur while the patient is resting in the sitting position. Following the application of the spray, the patient must avoid swallowing, spitting, or rinsing the mouth for a period of 5 to 10 minutes. Additionally, the patient must take care not to inhale the aerosol during use. Use in the pediatric population is generally not recommended.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Research on the Combined Formulation

Research has explored whether the combination was associated with changes across multiple indicators, an approach that researchers evaluated whether patient outcomes might be affected, noting measurements of time to initial observation for acute pain.

  • Mechanism of Action: Studies focusing on the in vitro and animal models of the combination have aimed to evaluate how the components interact with indicators of pain transmission. These studies examined its potential to influence both peripheral and central sensitization processes.
  • Synergy and Dosage: One study highlighted the combination’s synergistic effects, noting changes in inflammation levels. This research explored whether the combination might be relevant for moderate-to-severe pain. The study's design focused on dose-ranging, with researchers attempting to assess responses across a range of concentration levels.

Clinical Study Findings

The drug has been studied in both chronic and acute pain conditions. Clinical trials assessed its use in specific patient populations, including those with osteoarthritis and post-operative pain.

  • Acute Pain Management: In trials involving patients recovering from minor surgery, researchers assessed pain scores over a 24-hour period. Data was collected to determine the time to pain onset and the duration of the change in pain scores after the study dose was given.
  • Chronic Pain and Long-Term Use: Studies have examined the combination alongside other single-drug treatments and observed differences in pain levels; research also assessed the combination’s use over a longer period. Findings included data on patient adherence to the study protocol and reported adverse events over several months of observation.
  • Special Patient Populations: Studies have investigated the use of the combination in patients with underlying conditions, such as kidney issues. These trials were designed to collect pharmacokinetic data, examining the drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in patients with altered organ function.

Pharmacokinetics and Administration

The delivery system was assessed for consistency, with findings indicating a consistent response in the majority of subjects.

  • Bioavailability: Research has focused on measuring the drug components' absorption rate and total bioavailability following oral administration. Studies aimed to characterize the concentration of the drug in the blood over time.
  • Consistency: The consistency of the administered dose was also evaluated across multiple manufacturing batches to support the standardization of the study material.

Key Studies & References

  1. Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial of Combination Therapy in Acute Postoperative Pain Management

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Нитроспрей (FAQ)

Q: How fast should I expect Нитроспрей to start working?

Official product information indicates that the therapeutic effect of the spray typically begins very quickly after administration, usually within 1 to 3 minutes. This rapid onset is due to the sublingual route, which allows for ultra-fast absorption into the bloodstream.

Q: How long do the effects of Нитроспрей usually last?

According to prescribing information, the therapeutic effect of the translingual spray is generally short-acting. The effects are reported to last between 4 and 15 minutes.

Q: Why does the official information mention a 'transient headache' after using it?

Headache is listed as a very common side effect of this medication. This is related to the drug’s vasodilating action, where it works by widening blood vessels. Patients are sometimes advised that this transient headache can be interpreted as a common sign that the medicine is actively working.

Q: What should be noted about managing dizziness after using the spray?

The official administration principles emphasize resting, preferably in a sitting position, during use to minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting due to sudden drops in blood pressure. If dizziness occurs, lying down is noted as a simple step that may help to relieve the feeling.

Q: Is there a feeling I should look for to know the medicine is working?

Official patient information sometimes advises that a headache, which is a very common side effect, can be a sign that the medicine has taken effect. However, the absence of a headache does not necessarily mean the spray is ineffective.

Q: Is it normal for the spray to cause a tingling feeling in the mouth?

Tingling or a prickling sensation is a documented adverse reaction to nitroglycerin, falling under the classification of nerve-related effects (paresthesia). This sensation may be noticed at the application site or elsewhere in the body.

Q: Is it normal to feel flushed or warm after using Нитроспрей?

Yes, official safety documents categorize flushing as a common side effect of the spray. Flushing is characterized by the reddening and warming of the skin, particularly the face and neck, due to the medicine’s action on blood vessels.

Q: Can certain supplements or herbal products interact with Нитроспрей?

Official drug interaction guidelines instruct patients to inform their healthcare provider about all herbal products and supplements they are taking. This is because some non-prescription products may also have a significant blood pressure-lowering effect when combined with the spray.

Q: Is Нитроспрей appropriate for older adults?

According to regulatory warnings, use in older adults requires special caution and dosage typically starts at the low end of the recommended range. This is often necessary because older patients may have a greater frequency of reduced organ function or be at higher risk for low blood pressure.

Q: Can I use Нитроспрей if I have glaucoma?

The official prescribing information states that this product is strictly contraindicated in patients with certain conditions, including closed-angle glaucoma. Contraindications mean the medicine must not be used under those conditions.

Q: Can people with liver or kidney problems use Нитроспрей?

Official warnings note that use requires caution in patients who may have reduced liver or kidney function. Evaluation and monitoring by a healthcare provider are required due to potential effects on how the body processes the medication.

Q: Does the packaging have an expiration date I should know about?

Yes, according to official patient information, the expiry date for the spray is printed on the bottom of the container. The date of expiration is important for product stability, and official guidelines require that expired product be disposed of according to local pharmaceutical waste regulations.

Q: Can I take other chest pain relievers while I have Нитроспрей?

Regulatory documents warn that co-administration with certain other heart medicines, such as blood pressure drugs or other nitrates, can cause additive blood pressure-lowering effects. Due to the risk of additive effects, co-administration with these types of medications requires careful medical oversight.

Q: What kind of research evidence supports the use of Нитроспрей for heart conditions?

The drug is approved for its indicated use based on its established pharmacological action as a vasodilator. Official research summaries state it works by relaxing blood vessels to reduce the heart's workload (preload and afterload) while simultaneously improving coronary blood flow.

Q: Are there studies on the long-term effects of using Нитроспрей?

Regulatory labeling specifically addresses the long-term risk of tolerance developing with prolonged, continuous exposure to nitrates. Tolerance is a condition where the body gets used to the drug, potentially reducing its effectiveness over time.

How should Нитроспрей be stored and disposed of?

Storage and Disposal Instructions for Nitrospray

Nitrospray (nitroglycerin sublingual spray) must be stored and handled according to the instructions on its regulatory labeling to maintain its stability and safety. The required storage condition is Controlled Room Temperature, specifically at 25 C (77 F), with an allowed range between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).

Storage and Handling

The product must be kept in a safe place and protected from excessive heat and direct light. A mandatory safety instruction is to keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Disposal of Container

Because the spray is a pressurized container, the official labeling strictly prohibits the container from being forcefully opened or burned. Any unused or expired product must be disposed of according to local regulations for pharmaceutical waste, as specific household instructions are not provided.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Нитроспрей found in:

A-Z Index: