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Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin is a nitrate vasodilator (a medicine that relaxes blood vessels) used to relieve or prevent angina (chest pain from coronary artery disease), to treat chronic anal fissure pain, and, as an IV medicine in hospitals, to manage blood pressure and heart failure around surgery and heart attack.

Brand names RectivGonitroNitro-bidNitrostatNitroMist +6 more
Drug class Nitrate Vasodilator
Rx Forms 8
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 36 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

Other forms & routes:
Sublingual Topical Transdermal
Nitroglycerin at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Nitroglycerin is a long-established nitrate that widens blood vessels by releasing nitric oxide, easing the heart’s workload; it is the standard rescue medicine for angina (chest pain from coronary artery disease), also comes in forms for anal fissure pain and hospital IV care, and is available as a generic. Headache is what most people notice, sometimes severe early on and usually easing with continued use, along with lightheadedness as blood pressure drops. Never combine it with erectile dysfunction drugs like sildenafil or tadalafil, and call 911 if chest pain does not ease after three doses in 15 minutes or feels different from your usual pain.

Clinical pearls

  • Sit down before using a tablet or spray, because the sudden drop in blood pressure can make you dizzy or faint.
  • Patches, ointments and extended-release capsules need a daily nitrate-free break, or the medicine gradually stops working as well.
  • A patch or ointment cannot stop an attack already underway, so keep your fast-acting tablets or spray with you too.
  • Tablets or spray can be used 5 to 10 minutes before activities that reliably bring on your angina, such as climbing stairs.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asSublingual tablet, Skin patch, Injection +5
Earliest FDA record1981
Companies listing it with the FDA37
FDA label last updatedOct 15, 2024
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Nitroglycerin, written from its FDA label.

What Nitroglycerin is used for

▾

Nitroglycerin is used for several conditions, depending on the product.

  • Angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease: relief or prevention of attacks with Nitrolingual and nitroglycerin lingual spray and sublingual tablets (including Nitrostat).
  • Prevention of angina: Nitro-Time extended-release capsules, nitroglycerin patches (including Nitro-dur), and nitroglycerin topical ointment.
  • Chronic anal fissure pain: Rectiv and nitroglycerin 0.4% rectal ointment.
  • IV nitroglycerin (including Nitroglycerin In Dextrose): high blood pressure around surgery, heart failure in the setting of a heart attack, angina not helped by sublingual nitroglycerin and beta-blockers, and lowering blood pressure during surgery.

How Nitroglycerin works

▾

Nitroglycerin releases nitric oxide, which raises a signaling chemical (cyclic GMP) in smooth muscle. This relaxes the muscle in vessel walls and widens the vessels.

Widened veins and arteries reduce the heart’s workload and oxygen needs.

Nitroglycerin dosage

▾

Dosing varies by product, so follow your prescriber and label.

  • Sprays and sublingual tablets: used at the first sign of an angina attack, repeated about every 5 minutes if needed, up to three doses in 15 minutes. Nitrostat should be taken at rest, preferably sitting.
  • Patches, ointment and capsules: used for prevention, with a daily nitrate-free break to avoid tolerance.
  • Rectiv: applied inside the anal canal every 12 hours for up to 3 weeks.
  • IV nitroglycerin: given by a healthcare team with an infusion pump.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Nitroglycerin prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Nitroglycerin in 5% Dextrose Injection (intravenous), initial adult dosage using nonadsorptive tubing
    • Initial adult dosage should be 5 mcg/min
    • Initial titration should be in 5 mcg/min increments at intervals of 3 to 5 minutes
    • If no response is seen at 20 mcg/min, increments of 10 and even 20 mcg/min can be used
    • Once some hemodynamic response is observed, dosage increments should be smaller and less frequent
    • Administer only via an infusion pump; doses must be reduced when nonadsorptive tubing is used; dosage determined by individual patient requirement
  • Nitroglycerin Lingual Spray / Nitrolingual Pumpspray (oral spray), acute attack
    • One or two metered sprays (400 mcg of nitroglycerin per spray) at the onset of an attack onto or under the tongue
    • A spray may be repeated approximately every five minutes as needed
    • Maximum: No more than three metered sprays within a 15-minute period
    • If chest pain persists after a total of three sprays, advise prompt medical attention
  • Nitroglycerin Lingual Spray / Nitrolingual Pumpspray (oral spray), prophylactic use
    • May be used prophylactically 5 to 10 minutes prior to engaging in activities that might precipitate an acute attack
    • Pump must be primed before first use (five sprays initially)
  • Nitro-bid ointment (topical)
    • Doses used in clinical trials have ranged from 1/2 inch (1.3 cm
    • 7.5 mg) to 2 inches (5.1 cm
    • 30 mg), typically applied to 36 square inches (232 square centimeters) of truncal skin
    • Can reduce exercise-related angina for up to 7 hours after a single application
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Administer one tablet under the tongue or in the buccal pouch at the first sign of an acute anginal attack. Allow tablet to dissolve without swallowing. One additional tablet may be administered every 5 minutes until relief is obtained. No more than three tablets are recommended within a 15-minute period. If the pain persists after a total of 3 tablets in a 15-minute period, or if the pain is different than is typically experienced, seek prompt medical attention. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets may be used prophylactically 5 minutes to 10 minutes prior to engaging in activities that might precipitate an acute attack. For patients with xerostomia, a small sip of water prior to placing the tablet under the tongue may help maintain mucosal hydration and aid dissolution of the tablet. Administer nitroglycerin sublingual tablets at rest, preferably in the sitting position. At the onset of an attack, administer one tablet under the tongue or buccal pouch. One additional tablet may be administered every 5 minutes as needed. No more than 3 total tablets are recommended within a 15 minute period. ( 2 ) If chest pain persists after three tablets, seek prompt medical attention. ( 2 ) May be used prophylactically 5 to 10 minutes prior to engaging in activities that might precipitate an acute attack. ( 2 )

Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Nitroglycerin side effects

▾

Most side effects come from the widening of blood vessels.

Common side effects

  • Headache, which can be severe, especially at the start
  • Lightheadedness
  • Low blood pressure
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
  • Skin irritation or rash at the site of ointments or patches

When to get medical help

  • Call 911 or seek urgent care if chest pain continues after a total of three sprays or tablets in 15 minutes, or if the pain is different from your usual pain.
  • Get help right away for fainting, collapse, severe weakness, pale or sweaty skin, nausea or vomiting from very low blood pressure.
  • Seek help for signs of a serious allergic reaction.
  • Tell your doctor if you have worsening or more frequent chest pain.
  • Seek help if you have signs of methemoglobinemia (blood that carries less oxygen), such as trouble getting enough oxygen despite normal breathing.

Nitroglycerin warnings and precautions

▾
  • Low blood pressure can be severe, especially when standing, causing nausea, weakness, paleness, sweating and fainting.
  • Low blood pressure can sometimes come with a slow heartbeat and worse angina.
  • Tolerance can develop with excessive use or continuous exposure.
  • Nitrates may worsen angina in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  • Headaches are common early on and usually ease.
  • Rarely, methemoglobinemia can occur.

Nitroglycerin interactions

▾

Several medicines can interact with nitroglycerin.

  • PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil): dangerous drops in blood pressure.
  • Riociguat and other sGC stimulators: low blood pressure.
  • Ergotamine: raises ergotamine levels and can trigger angina.
  • High-dose aspirin: increases nitroglycerin exposure.
  • t-PA with IV nitroglycerin: reduces t-PA’s clot-dissolving effect.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Nitroglycerin prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • PDE-5 inhibitors (avanafil, sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil): PDE-5 inhibitors have been shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates. Contraindicated; use within a few days of one another is not recommended.
  • Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators: Concomitant use can cause hypotension. Contraindicated; use within a few days of one another is not recommended.
  • Ergotamine (and dihydroergotamine): Oral nitroglycerin markedly decreases first-pass metabolism of dihydroergotamine and increases its oral bioavailability; ergotamine is known to precipitate angina pectoris. Avoid ergotamine and related drugs or monitor for symptoms of ergotism if this is not possible.
  • Aspirin (high dose, 1000 mg): Coadministration results in increased exposure to nitroglycerin and may enhance its vasodilatory and hemodynamic effects.
  • Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA): Concomitant intravenous nitroglycerin has been shown to reduce plasma levels of t-PA and its thrombolytic effect.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Ergotamine: increased bioavailability of ergotamine. Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 PDE-5-Inhibitors and sGC-Stimulators Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are contraindicated in patients who are using a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). PDE-5-Inhibitors such as avanafil, sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil have been shown to potentiate the hypotensive effects of organic nitrates. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are contraindicated in patients who are taking soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators. Concomitant use can cause hypotension. The time course and dose dependence of these interactions have not been studied, and use within a few days of one another is not recommended. Appropriate supportive care for the severe hypotension has not been studied, but it seems reasonable to treat this as a nitrate overdose, with elevation of the extremities and with central volume expansion. 7.2 Ergotamine Oral administration of nitroglycerin markedly decreases the first-pass metabolism of dihydroergotamine and subsequently increases its oral bioavailability. Ergotamine is known to precipitate angina pectoris. Therefore, patients receiving sublingual nitroglycerin should avoid ergotamine and related drugs or be monitored for symptoms of ergotism if this is not possible.

Drug interactions Aspirin: Coadministration of nitroglycerin with high dose aspirin (1000 mg) results in increased exposure to nitroglycerin. The vasodilatory and hemodynamic effects of nitroglycerin may be enhanced by concomitant administration of nitroglycerin with high dose aspirin. Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) : Concomitant administration of t-PA and intravenous nitroglycerin has been shown to reduce plasma levels of t-PA and its thrombolytic effect.

Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

Check Nitroglycerin against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Nitroglycerin

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  • Allergy to nitroglycerin, other nitrates or nitrites, or any ingredient.
  • Taking PDE-5 inhibitors or riociguat.
  • Severe anemia, increased pressure in the head, circulatory failure or shock.
  • Low blood pressure, dehydration, constrictive pericarditis, or aortic or mitral stenosis.
  • Pregnancy: data are limited. Breastfeeding: not studied.
  • Children: safety and effectiveness not established.
  • Older adults: cautious dosing, usually starting low.

Nitroglycerin overdose

▾

Too much nitroglycerin causes severe vasodilation and low blood pressure. This can bring throbbing headache, confusion, dizziness, palpitations, vision changes, nausea, vomiting, fainting, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, coma and death. There is no specific antidote. Treatment focuses on raising blood volume, such as elevating the legs or giving IV fluids, and methemoglobinemia is treated by stopping nitroglycerin and, if needed, methylene blue. Seek emergency help right away.

What Nitroglycerin does in the body

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Nitroglycerin relaxes vascular smooth muscle, mostly widening veins but also arteries. This lowers the blood returning to the heart and reduces pressure in the arteries, so the heart needs less oxygen. Blood pressure may fall and heart rate usually rises slightly. After sublingual use, vessel widening begins in about 1 to 3 minutes, peaks by about 5 minutes, and lasts at least 25 minutes.

How your body processes Nitroglycerin

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Under the tongue, nitroglycerin is absorbed quickly and peaks in about 6 to 7 minutes. About 40% reaches the bloodstream, and this varies. A liver enzyme mainly breaks it down, along with red blood cells and blood vessel walls. Its half-life is only about 2 to 3 minutes. Two weaker metabolites last longer and may add to the duration of effect.

How to store Nitroglycerin

▾

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F) .

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

Nitroglycerin: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Nitroglycerin — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is nitroglycerin for?

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It is mainly used to relieve or prevent angina, which is chest pain from coronary artery disease. Rectal ointment treats chronic anal fissure pain, and IV forms are used in hospitals for certain blood pressure and heart failure situations.

How do I use it during an angina attack?

▾
Use your spray or tablet at the first sign of an attack, ideally sitting down. You can repeat it about every 5 minutes, up to three doses in 15 minutes. If the pain continues or feels different from usual, get emergency help right away.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
Headache is the most common one, and it often eases with continued use. You may also feel lightheaded. Sit down if you feel dizzy, and call for help if you faint or feel very weak, pale or sweaty.

Can I take it with Viagra or similar medicines?

▾
No. Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and avanafil can cause a severe drop in blood pressure with nitroglycerin. Riociguat is also not allowed. Tell every prescriber and pharmacist you see that you use nitroglycerin.

Why does my patch need a break each day?

▾
Wearing nitroglycerin continuously can make your body tolerant, so it stops working. A daily nitrate-free period helps prevent that. Patches also do not work fast enough to stop an attack that has already started.

Is it safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

▾
There is not enough data to say whether it carries a risk in pregnancy, and it has not been studied for breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to be, or nursing.

Is Nitroglycerin available over the counter?

▾
No. Nitroglycerin is a prescription medicine: every Nitroglycerin product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Nitroglycerin first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Nitroglycerin is from 1981: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Nitroglycerin was first used.

Who makes Nitroglycerin?

▾
37 companies currently list Nitroglycerin products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Nitroglycerin on HelloPharmacist

🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerNitroglycerin vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Nitroglycerin NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Nitroglycerin Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Nitroglycerin forms and strengths (how it comes)

Nitroglycerin is available in 8 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Sublingual tablet

Under the tongue
Brands Nitrostat
Available strengths 3 strengths
0.3 mg 0.4 mg 0.6 mg
93 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Skin patch

Through the skin
Brands Nitro-dur Nitroglycerin Transdermal Infusion System
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Nitro-dur and other nitroglycerin patches are used to prevent angina due to coronary artery disease.
Important instructions
  • Nitro-dur and other nitroglycerin patches are typically worn about 12 to 14 hours a day, with a 10 to 12 hour patch-free period.
  • Nitroglycerin patches are not fast enough to stop an acute attack.
Available strengths 10 strengths
NITROGLYCERIN 0.1 mg/h NITROGLYCERIN 0.2 mg/h NITROGLYCERIN 0.4 mg/h NITROGLYCERIN 0.6 mg/h 20 mg 40 mg
Show 4 more strengths Show fewer strengths
60 mg 80 mg 120 mg 160 mg
20 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Injection

Into a vein
Brands Nitroglycerin In Dextrose
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Nitroglycerin injection is used for high blood pressure around surgery and for heart failure in the setting of a heart attack.
  • Nitroglycerin injection is used for angina not helped by sublingual nitroglycerin and beta-blockers, and to lower blood pressure during surgery.
Important instructions
  • Nitroglycerin In Dextrose is given into a vein using an infusion pump that keeps a constant rate.
  • Nitroglycerin injection should be given with non-PVC tubing because PVC absorbs the drug.
Available strengths 4 strengths
5 mg/mL 10 mg/100 mL 20 mg/100 mL 40 mg/100 mL
15 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Spray

By mouth
Brands Nitroglycerin Lingual Nitrolingual
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Nitrolingual and Nitroglycerin Lingual spray are used for acute relief or prevention of angina due to coronary artery disease.
Important instructions
  • Nitrolingual is sprayed onto or under the tongue at the onset of an attack and may be repeated about every 5 minutes.
  • With Nitrolingual, no more than three sprays are recommended in 15 minutes; seek prompt medical attention if pain persists.
  • Nitrolingual may be used 5 to 10 minutes before activities that might trigger an attack.
Available strengths 1 strength
400 mcg
14 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Rectal topical

Rectal
Brands Rectiv
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Rectiv ointment treats moderate to severe pain from chronic anal fissure.
Important instructions
  • Rectiv is applied inside the anal canal with a covered finger, every 12 hours for up to 3 weeks.
Available strengths 1 strength
4 mg/g
11 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Capsule

By mouth
Brands Nitro-time
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Nitro-Time extended-release capsules are used to prevent angina due to coronary artery disease.
Important instructions
  • Nitro-Time is not fast enough to stop an angina attack that has already started.
  • Nitro-Time dosing should include a daily nitrate-free period to avoid tolerance.
Available strengths 3 strengths
2.5 mg 6.5 mg 9 mg
6 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Topical cream, ointment or gel

On the skin
Brands Nitro-bid
Available strengths 1 strength
20 mg/g
6 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Nitroglycerin on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Nitroglycerin appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

37 companies list 99 Nitroglycerin product records with the FDA, mostly as sublingual tablet, skin patch, injection; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1981. Brand names on the directory include Rectiv, Gonitro, Nitro-bid and 8 more; the rest are generics.

8
Dose forms ⓘ
37
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
10
Brand names
99
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1981
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst9%
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc.7%
Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.7%
Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC6%
Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC5%
Proficient Rx LP4%
Other makers62%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Nitroglycerin is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Nitroglycerin is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Nitroglycerin is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

340,741
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$8.8M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Nitroglycerin prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Nitroglycerin ranks #308 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 81% of them.

Where Nitroglycerin ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #308 of 1,601
#303 Vortioxetine 354,075 Rx #304 Azelastine Ophthalmic 347,051 Rx #305 Brexpiprazole 344,798 Rx #306 OnabotulinumtoxinA Inj... 343,452 Rx #307 Diphenhydramine Inject... 342,553 Rx #308 Nitroglycerin Spray 340,741 Rx #309 Nitroglycerin 340,741 Rx #310 Olmesartan 340,022 Rx #311 Fluvoxamine 332,998 Rx #312 Ubrogepant 329,850 Rx #313 Midodrine 328,426 Rx

Utilization by Nitroglycerin product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 0.4 mg sublingual tablet is the most-dispensed Nitroglycerin product — about 86% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

nitroglycerin 0.4 MG Sublingual Tablet Most dispensed

294,171 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 86% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $3.8M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $13 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 17 of 95 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 198039

nitroglycerin 0.3 MG Sublingual Tablet

9,237 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 3% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $154,856 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $17 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 8 of 16 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 198038

nitroglycerin 0.02 MG/MG Topical Ointment

8,740 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 3% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $354,948 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $41 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 242946

nitroglycerin 0.004 MG/MG Rectal Ointment

6,115 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $2.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $438 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1114466

24 HR nitroglycerin 0.2 MG/HR Transdermal System

4,809 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $132,098 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $27 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 11 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 486148

250 ML nitroglycerin 0.2 MG/ML Injection

4,444 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $418,189 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $94 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 312004

250 ML nitroglycerin 0.1 MG/ML Injection

3,767 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $691,682 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $184 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1868562

24 HR nitroglycerin 0.1 MG/HR Transdermal System

3,583 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $84,376 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $24 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 8 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 861657

24 HR nitroglycerin 0.4 MG/HR Transdermal System

3,478 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $109,635 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $32 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 14 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 486152

10 ML nitroglycerin 5 MG/ML Injection

1,239 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $351,029 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $283 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 8 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 237205

nitroglycerin 0.4 MG/ACTUAT Mucosal Spray

680 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $98,359 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $145 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 20 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 705129

250 ML nitroglycerin 0.4 MG/ML Injection

274 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $1,628 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $5.94 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1868494

24 HR nitroglycerin 0.6 MG/HR Transdermal System

137 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $4,013 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $29 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 9 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 486146

nitroglycerin 0.6 MG Sublingual Tablet

67 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Nitroglycerin prescriptions shown $1,291 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $19 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 15 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 198040

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Nitroglycerin, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 48 of 215 listed Nitroglycerin NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Nitroglycerin products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Nitroglycerin — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 99 of 99 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 99 Nitroglycerin NDCs →

Nitroglycerin side effects reported to the FDA (FAERS)

After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Nitroglycerin — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.

The effects most often named in FDA reports that mention Nitroglycerin are dyspnoea, pain, fatigue; about 79% of the reports were classed as serious. These are voluntary reports, so they show what people report, not how often it happens.

53,809
Reports mentioning it
79%
Reported as serious
12
Distinct effects shown
Most reported effects
Dyspnoea
4,314
Pain
3,727
Fatigue
3,653
Myocardial Infarction
3,422
Nausea
3,398
Dizziness
3,043
Chest Pain
3,007
Fall
2,989
Diarrhoea
2,791
Headache
2,713
Age groups
Elderly · 5,689Adult · 2,621Neonate · 38Infant · 22Adolescent · 11Child · 8

Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Nitroglycerin in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Nitroglycerin FDA approval history

How Nitroglycerin went from FDA review to the pharmacy shelf — the key milestones in its regulatory journey.

Nitroglycerin was first approved by the FDA in 1981 (Fougera Pharms Inc). It remains available in U.S. pharmacies today.

1981
First FDA approval
Fougera Pharms Inc
2026
Available today
Active in U.S. pharmacies

Source: Drugs@FDA.

Nitroglycerin recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 3 Nitroglycerin recalls since July 2021, covering 4 product listings. Two of them are still ongoing or began in the last six months and are listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class II Jul 24, 2026 · American Regent, Inc.
Presence of Particulate Matter: Product contaminated with particulate matter identified as hair, glass and/or paraformaldehyde
  • Nitroglycerin injection, USP, 50 mg/10 mL (5 mg/mL), packaged in a) 10 mL vials (NDC 0517-4810-01), b) 25x10mL vials (NDC 0517-4810-25) RX only, AMERICAN REGENT, INC., Shirley, NY 11967. Lots: Lot #: 24291, Exp. Date: 8/31/2026 FDA record D-0791-2026 →
Ongoing Class II Mar 13, 2025 · Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations
  • Nitroglycerin Sublingual Tablets 0.3MG, 100-count bottles, Manufactured by: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh 454775, India, Manufactured for: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc.… Lots: Lot # 17232361, exp. date Nov-25 17232367, exp. date Nov-25 17240037, exp. date Dec-25 17240038, exp. date Dec-25 FDA record D-0331-2025 →
  • Nitroglycerin Sublingual Tablets 0.4MG 100-count carton, Rx Only, Manufactured by: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh 454775, India, Manufactured for: Glenmark Pharmaceutical… Lots: Lot # 17232024, exp. date Aug-25 17232071, exp. date Sep-25 17232072, exp. date Sep-25 FDA record D-0324-2025 →
Class II Dec 27, 2021 · Terminated · Padagis US LLC
Defective Delivery System
  • Nitroglycerin Lingual Spray, 400 mcg per spray, 200 metered sprays, 12 g bottles, Rx only, Manufactured by Perrigo, Yeruham, Israel; Distributed by Perrigo, Allegan, MI 49010, NDC 45802-210-02 Lots: Lot, expiry: Lot 150892, exp Oct 2022; Lot 153199, exp Feb 2023; Lot 156041, exp Apr 2023 FDA record D-0372-2022 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Nitroglycerin RxCUI 4917 12 dose forms · 33 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Buccal Tablet RxCUI 542230 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 2 MG RxCUI 542239 3 MG RxCUI 542266 5 MG RxCUI 542269
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Extended Release Oral Capsule RxCUI 373105 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 2.5 MG RxCUI 312013 6.5 MG RxCUI 312018 9 MG RxCUI 312020
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 377109 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MG/ML RxCUI 245276
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Mucosal Spray RxCUI 705128 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.4 MG/ACTUAT RxCUI 705129
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 379729 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 6.5 MG RxCUI 392173 9 MG RxCUI 392174
  7. Dose form (SCDF) Rectal Ointment RxCUI 393438 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.002 MG/MG RxCUI 389177 0.004 MG/MG RxCUI 1114466
  8. Dose form (SCDF) Sublingual Powder RxCUI 1810782 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.4 MG RxCUI 1799428
  9. Dose form (SCDF) Sublingual Tablet RxCUI 373106 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.3 MG RxCUI 198038 0.4 MG RxCUI 198039 0.5 MG RxCUI 249767 0.6 MG RxCUI 198040
  10. Dose form (SCDF) Sustained Release Buccal Tablet RxCUI 373104 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MG RxCUI 314121 1.5 MG RxCUI 312010 2 MG RxCUI 312016 3 MG RxCUI 312017 5 MG RxCUI 314122
  11. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 374405 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.02 MG/MG RxCUI 242946

Look up RxCUI 4917 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Nitroglycerin supply and shortage status

Whether Nitroglycerin is in short supply in the U.S. right now, plus any shortage history the FDA has on record. A shortage usually reflects a manufacturing or demand issue — not a safety problem with the drug.

Nitroglycerin is not in shortage right now; the FDA has 1 past shortage record for it.

✅No current shortage of Nitroglycerin on record
To be discontinued Rectiv, Ointment, 0.4% (NDC 58914-301-80)
AbbVie Inc. · Since 04/14/2026 · Updated 04/14/2026

Source: openFDA, from the FDA Drug Shortages database.

💵 What Nitroglycerin costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet · Sublingual 0.6 mg $0.084 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Sublingual 0.3 mg $0.063 per tablet NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 80 mg $0.721 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 120 mg $0.963 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 40 mg $0.590 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 20 mg $0.493 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 60 mg $50.50 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal NITROGLYCERIN 0.6 mg/h $0.963 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal NITROGLYCERIN 0.1 mg/h $0.493 each NDC details & price history
Ointment · Rectal 4 mg/g $8.31 per gram NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Nitroglycerin brand names

Nitroglycerin is sold under 11 brand names in the FDA directory — Rectiv, Gonitro, Nitro-bid, Nitrostat and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Rectiv Gonitro Nitro-bid Nitrostat NitroMist Nitro-dur Nitrolingual Nitroglycerin Lingual Nitroglycerin In Dextrose Nitro-time Nitroglycerin Transdermal Infusion System

Who makes Nitroglycerin: manufacturers and labelers

37 companies list Nitroglycerin products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc., Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 9 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. 7 Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. 7 Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC 6 Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC 5 Proficient Rx LP 4 A-S Medication Solutions 3 Advagen Pharma Ltd 3 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 3 Baxter Healthcare Company 3 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA 3 Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. 3 Lifestar Pharma LLC 3 Natco Pharma USA LLC 3 Remedyrepack Inc. 3 Solco Healthcare U.S., LLC 3 Time Cap Laboratories, Inc 3 Viatris Specialty LLC 3 Encube Ethicals, Inc. 2 Henry Schein, Inc. 2 NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd 2 ProPharma Distribution 2 Redpharm Drug 2

…and 13 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Nitroglycerin drug class (RxNorm)

Nitroglycerin belongs to the Nitrate Vasodilator class.

Pharmacologic class Nitrate Vasodilator
Drug family (ATC) Organic nitrates, Muscle relaxants

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Nitroglycerin page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Oct 15, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Nitroglycerin.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Nitroglycerin after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
36
Finished products in the current FDA directory
99
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
37
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
39
Linked representative label ⓘ
Greenstone LLC
Linked label effective
Oct 15, 2024
Composite sections available
21
Linked SPL Set ID
041f127e-5166-4484-bc1a-0a373d1187ae
Linked SPL Document ID
2ac009f2-257f-4603-a1e8-c50aa9e31f4b
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Greenstone LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →