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Nitrolingual Dosage
When giving yourself a dose of Nitrolingual, you should prime the bottle before spraying it (or reprime, if necessary) and administer the medication on or under the tongue. Do not rinse your mouth out or spit for at least 5 to 10 minutes. You can administer up to three dosages in 15 minutes. If your chest pain continues, you should seek immediate medical attention.
There is only one standard way to dose Nitrolingual® Pumpspray (nitroglycerin spray). As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
At the start of the attack, use one or two sprays on or under the tongue. If necessary, a second spray (or a third if two sprays were used initially) may be used after five minutes. Use no more than three sprays within 15 minutes. If you use a third spray and your chest pain continues, it is time to seek immediate medical attention. You may be having a heart attack or other serious heart problems.
Do not use Nitrolingual more frequently or at a higher dosage than absolutely necessary. Using it too frequently can result in tolerance to the drug, in which your body because accustomed to it and no longer responds to the medication.
It is best to rest (preferably while sitting) when using this product. Try not to be standing, if possible, in case you become dizzy or faint.
Some considerations to keep in mind during treatment with Nitrolingual include the following:
- This medication comes in the form of a liquid that is sprayed on or under the tongue.
- You can use up to 3 sprays within 15 minutes. If your chest pain isn't relieved after one spray, try another. If chest pain continues after a third spray, you should seek immediate medical attention.
- Alternatively, Nitrolingual can be used 5 to 10 minutes before activity that is anticipated to cause chest pain.
- Do not shake the bottle. The first time you use each bottle, you must prime it by spraying it five times into the air. Thereafter, you will need to reprime the bottle before use if you haven't used it in the past six weeks by spraying it once into the air. If it has been an especially long time since you last used Nitrolingual, the bottle might require up to five sprays to reprime it.
- Do not rinse or spit for 5 to 10 minutes after receiving a dose of this medication.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
- If you are unsure about anything related to your dosage or Nitrolingual dosing in general, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD