Nitroglycerin Side Effects

Possible side effects of nitroglycerin include:

• Headache
• Flushing (a feeling of warmth and redness in the face and neck) (this occurs because nitroglycerin causes increased flow of blood to the heart and other parts of the body)

Tell your doctor if these side effects are severe or do not go away in a few days.

While extremely rare, nitroglycerin can sometimes cause more serious side effects. Stop taking nitroglycerin and call your doctor right away or seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Skin rash, hives, itching and other signs of allergic reactions
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Nausea 
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Sweating

The above list may not include all the possible adverse effects of nitroglycerin. Tell your health care professional if the side effects are unusual or severe or they do not get better over time. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nitroglycerin Overdose: In case of an overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Contact your doctor or call your local poison control center or the national poison control center on 1-800-222-1222. If a person has trouble breathing, cannot be awakened, or has had a seizure, call 911. Symptoms of a nitroglycerin overdose may include fever, confusion, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, vision changes, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, flushing, sweating, cold and clammy skin, loss of consciousness, inability to move, and seizures.

Source: FDA