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Nitroglycerin overdose

Definition

Poisonous Ingredient

Nitroglycerin

Where Found

Nitroglycerin in solid (tablet) form:

• Tridil
• Nitro-Bid
• Nitrostat
• Nitrolingual
• Nitrogard
• Nitrong
• Nitrocine
• Nitroglyn
• Minitran
• Nitro-Dur
• Transderm-Nitro
• Deponit
• Nitrodisc
• Nitrol

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Body as a whole
  • Coma
  • Confusion
  • Death
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting
  • Flushing
  • Headache
• Respiratory
  • Shortness of breath
  • Slow breathing
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Difficulty seeing
• Skin
  • Bluish color to lips and fingernails
  • Cold
• Gastrointestinal
  • Diarrhea
  • Cramping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
• Heart and blood vessels
  • Low blood pressure
  • Heart palpitations
  • Rapid heartbeat or slow heartbeat
• Nervous system
  • Convulsions

Home Care

DO NOT induce vomiting.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
• When it was swallowed
• The amount swallowed

Poison Control

Call Poison Control or your local emergency number -- they will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. If possible, take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The patient will receive therapies to treat symptoms. Other treatments may include:  

• Activated charcoal
• Fluids by IV
• Laxative
• Gastric lavage to empty the stomach 
• Artificial respiration (breathing)
• Methods to maintain adequate respiration rate

Outlook (Prognosis)

Deaths have occurred, but are rare.

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Review Date: 2/13/2006
Reviewed By: Stephen C Acosta, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, Portland VA MedicalCenter, Portland, OR. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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