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.
🧬 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 →
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.
Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Nitroglycerin, written from its FDA label.
What Nitroglycerin is used for
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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
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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
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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
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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
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- 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
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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.
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.
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
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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
▾
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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How do I use it during an angina attack?
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What side effects should I expect?
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Can I take it with Viagra or similar medicines?
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Why does my patch need a break each day?
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Is it safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
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Is Nitroglycerin available over the counter?
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When was Nitroglycerin first available?
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Who makes Nitroglycerin?
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Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →
More about Nitroglycerin on HelloPharmacist
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
Skin patch
How this form is used
- Nitro-dur and other nitroglycerin patches are used to prevent angina due to coronary artery disease.
- 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.
Injection
How this form is used
- 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.
- 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.
Spray
How this form is used
- Nitrolingual and Nitroglycerin Lingual spray are used for acute relief or prevention of angina due to coronary artery disease.
- 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.
Rectal topical
How this form is used
- Rectiv ointment treats moderate to severe pain from chronic anal fissure.
- Rectiv is applied inside the anal canal with a covered finger, every 12 hours for up to 3 weeks.
Capsule
How this form is used
- Nitro-Time extended-release capsules are used to prevent angina due to coronary artery disease.
- 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.
Topical cream, ointment or gel
Oral solution
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 1989. Brand names on the directory include Rectiv, Gonitro, Nitro-bid and 8 more; the rest are generics.
FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.
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.
How commonly is Nitroglycerin prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Nitroglycerin ranks #308 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 81% of them.
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.
nitroglycerin 0.4 MG Sublingual Tablet Most dispensed
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.)
| Strength | Route | Manufacturer / Labeler | Category ⓘ | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💊Capsule | ||||
| 2.5 mg | Oral | Time Cap Laboratories, Inc | UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER | View NDC → |
| 6.5 mg | Oral | Time Cap Laboratories, Inc | UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER | View NDC → |
| 9 mg | Oral | Time Cap Laboratories, Inc | UNAPPROVED DRUG OTHER | View NDC → |
| 💊Injection | ||||
| 5 mg/mL | Intravenous | American Regent, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 10 mg/100 mL | Intravenous | Baxter Healthcare Company | NDA | View NDC → |
| 20 mg/100 mL | Intravenous | Baxter Healthcare Company | NDA | View NDC → |
| 40 mg/100 mL | Intravenous | Baxter Healthcare Company | NDA | View NDC → |
| 5 mg/mL | Intravenous | Henry Schein, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 5 mg/mL | Intravenous | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 10 mg/100 mL | Intravenous | ProPharma Distribution | NDA | View NDC → |
| 5 mg/mL | Intravenous | Remedyrepack Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 💊Rectal topical | ||||
| 4 mg/g | Rectal | Allergan, Inc. | NDA | View NDC → |
| 4 mg/g | Rectal | Bryant Ranch Prepack | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 4 mg/g | Rectal | Cosette Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 4 mg/g | Rectal | Encube Ethicals, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 4 mg/g | Rectal | Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 4 mg/g | Rectal | Solaris Pharma Corporation | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 4 mg/g | Rectal | Trupharma, LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 💊Skin patch | ||||
| 20 mg | Transdermal | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 40 mg | Transdermal | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 80 mg | Transdermal | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 120 mg | Transdermal | Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Inc. | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 20 mg | Transdermal | Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 40 mg | Transdermal | Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 60 mg | Transdermal | Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 80 mg | Transdermal | Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 120 mg | Transdermal | Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 160 mg | Transdermal | Ingenus Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| NITROGLYCERIN 0.1 mg/h | Transdermal | Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| NITROGLYCERIN 0.2 mg/h | Transdermal | Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| NITROGLYCERIN 0.4 mg/h | Transdermal | Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| NITROGLYCERIN 0.6 mg/h | Transdermal | Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 💊Spray | ||||
| 400 mcg | Oral | Allegis Pharmaceuticals, LLC | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 400 mcg | Oral | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst × 2 listings | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 400 mcg | Oral | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst × 2 listings | NDA | View NDC → |
| 400 mcg | Oral | Independence Pharmaceuticals, Llc | NDA | View NDC → |
| 400 mcg | Oral | Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 400 mcg | Oral | Prasco Laboratories | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 💊Sublingual tablet | ||||
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | A-S Medication Solutions × 2 listings | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | A-S Medication Solutions | NDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Advagen Pharma Ltd | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Advagen Pharma Ltd | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Advagen Pharma Ltd | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Aurobindo Pharma Limited | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Dr. Reddys Laboratories Inc | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Henry Schein, Inc. | NDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst × 3 listings | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Lifestar Pharma LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Lifestar Pharma LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Lifestar Pharma LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Medical Purchasing Solutions, LL | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC × 4 listings | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Medical Purchasing Solutions, LLC. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. | NDA AUTHORIZED GENERIC | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Natco Pharma USA LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Natco Pharma USA LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Natco Pharma USA LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | NorthStar RxLLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | NuCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Proficient Rx LP | NDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Proficient Rx LP × 3 listings | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | ProPharma Distribution | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Redpharm Drug × 2 listings | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Remedyrepack Inc. × 2 listings | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Solco Healthcare U.S., LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Solco Healthcare U.S., LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Solco Healthcare U.S., LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Sportpharm LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 0.3 mg | Sublingual | Viatris Specialty LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 0.4 mg | Sublingual | Viatris Specialty LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 0.6 mg | Sublingual | Viatris Specialty LLC | NDA | View NDC → |
| 💊Topical cream, ointment or gel | ||||
| 20 mg/g | Topical | Encube Ethicals, Inc. | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 20 mg/g | Topical | HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst | ANDA | View NDC → |
| 20 mg/g | Topical | Savage Laboratories a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals, LLC | ANDA | View NDC → |
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.
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.
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.
- 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 →
- 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 →
- 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.
RxCUI 4917 12 dose forms · 33 strengths
-
Dose form (SCDF) Buccal Tablet RxCUI 542230No current FDA listingClinical drug / strength (SCD) 2 MGRxCUI 5422393 MGRxCUI 5422665 MGRxCUI 542269 -
Dose form (SCDF) Extended Release Oral Capsule RxCUI 373105No current FDA listing -
Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 377109In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MG/MLRxCUI 245276 -
Dose form (SCDF) Injection RxCUI 1868493In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 10 ML nitroglycerin 5 MG/MLRxCUI 237205250 ML nitroglycerin 0.1 MG/MLRxCUI 1868562250 ML nitroglycerin 0.2 MG/MLRxCUI 312004250 ML nitroglycerin 0.4 MG/MLRxCUI 1868494 -
Dose form (SCDF) Mucosal Spray RxCUI 705128In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.4 MG/ACTUATRxCUI 705129 -
Dose form (SCDF) Oral Capsule RxCUI 379729In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 6.5 MGRxCUI 3921739 MGRxCUI 392174 -
Dose form (SCDF) Rectal Ointment RxCUI 393438In current FDA listings -
Dose form (SCDF) Sublingual Powder RxCUI 1810782In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.4 MGRxCUI 1799428 -
Dose form (SCDF) Sublingual Tablet RxCUI 373106In current FDA listings -
Dose form (SCDF) Sustained Release Buccal Tablet RxCUI 373104No current FDA listingClinical drug / strength (SCD) 1 MGRxCUI 3141211.5 MGRxCUI 3120102 MGRxCUI 3120163 MGRxCUI 3120175 MGRxCUI 314122 -
Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 374405In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.02 MG/MGRxCUI 242946 -
Dose form (SCDF) Transdermal System RxCUI 1805880In current FDA listingsClinical drug / strength (SCD) 24 HR nitroglycerin 0.1 MG/HRRxCUI 86165724 HR nitroglycerin 0.2 MG/HRRxCUI 48614824 HR nitroglycerin 0.3 MG/HRRxCUI 89968824 HR nitroglycerin 0.4 MG/HRRxCUI 48615224 HR nitroglycerin 0.6 MG/HRRxCUI 48614624 HR nitroglycerin 0.8 MG/HRRxCUI 899703
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.
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.
| Form | Strength | Pharmacy 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 |
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.
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.
…and 13 more on the FDA NDC directory.
Nitroglycerin drug class (RxNorm)
Nitroglycerin belongs to the Nitrate Vasodilator class.
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.
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 →