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Nitroglycerin overdose

Definition

Nitroglycerin poisoning occurs when an overdose of nitroglycerin (used as medication to open coronary blood vessels) has been swallowed.

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.

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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